— But neighbours say cedar hedges will help —
(OSOYOOS TIMES — October 3, 2007) —
By Chad IngramrnOsoyoos Times
Members of Osoyoos Town Council and the owners of Rattlesnake Canyon met last week, and have come to an agreement on ways to reduce noise emanating from the local amusement park, says Mayor John Slater.
More foliage around the park, including cedar hedges that will eliminate sound bounce (is one), Slater told the Osoyoos Times after the meeting.
Residents of nearby Willow Crescent say the wall installed by the park's former owner to absorb sound has actually had the opposite effect, creating a sort of echo chamber that makes the growl of go-cart engines even louder.
Slater also said the owners have agreed to stick tightly to the 11 p.m. closing time, as prescribed by the Town's noise bylaw. In the past, the park has remained open past this time on a number of occasions.
Those are the two main things, Slater said.
The park's go-carts have been an issue of contention with area residents since their installation in 2003. Last month, angry residents held a meeting at the Best Western with Council and the owners of Rattlesnake Canyon to express their grievances. The residents were seeking removal of the go-carts from the park or a transition from gas-powered to electric go-carts, which are supposedly quieter.
Willow Crescent resident Len Bruce said he's not satisfied with the outcome of the latest meeting between Town Council and the Rattlesnake Canyon owners.
Bruce said the building of a cedar hedge is probably a waste of time.
As far as sticking to the 11 p.m. closing time, he said this is also insufficient.
The noise is all day, he said.
Fred Cawdell, another area resident, said he didn't want to open up a can of worms.
It is what it is, he said of the meeting's outcome.
The owners of Rattlesnake Canyon, reportedly away on vacation, were unavailable for comment.
