Addiction a concern, but race track proceeds wanted
By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times
The issue of gambling, slot machines and casinos is one that stirs up passion.
This passion was evident at a panel discussion led by Friends of Desert Park President Richard Tessier, at the Osoyoos Now Annual General Meeting last week.
Osoyoos residents are being asked in an upcoming town plebiscite to decide Are you in favour of electronic gaming devices, entertainment and horse racing at Desert Park?
The vote will be held Saturday, June 17, and soon residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposal being forwarded by Max Gibb's Rocky Mountain Turf Club, based in Lethbridge, Alta.
Tessier reported last week that Gibb will be in town the week of May 8 to set up a storefront at the Garage Gallery & Coffee Co. on Main Street, complete with an artist's conceptual drawings of a renovated Desert Park race track operation.
Desert Park is a unique facility that could attract thousands of visitors to this community. The park also represents more than half of all the park area in Osoyoos, Tessier explained.
He said he hopes the community will support Gibb's proposal to return horse racing and other events to Desert Park, and said Friends of Desert Park will be working with Gibb to promote his plans for the facility, which will include 75 to 100 slot machines.
Tessier said some of the benefits of having Gibb managing the park include employment opportunities, increased tourism, revitalization of the horse industry, and financial support for various community groups.
Community groups in Lethbridge have received more than a half-million dollars in benefits from the Rocky Mountain Turf Club since 1996. Groups such as the Food Bank, the Handicapped Riders Association, 4-H, the school breakfast program and amateur sports have benefited.
He added that the B.C. Lottery Commission pays seven per cent of the net, or 10 per cent of the gross, whichever is greater, directly to the municipality.
But as much as Tessier detailed the benefits of Gibb's proposal, he said he knows there is opposition to the gaming idea for Desert Park. Gambling addiction is the dark side to the bells and lights found in a casino.
Joining Tessier on the panel discussion last week were Osoyoos Now Directors Vern Stephens and Caroline Staple, who expressed concerns about gambling addiction. Those sentiments, however, were mixed.
Stephens said when he first spoke to Tessier, he expressed passionate objection to a casino being in Osoyoos. He said he has witnessed the devastation of gambling addiction in several individuals he has known and has seen those individuals lose everything.
I want to remind people that this is what we are inviting to our community when we allow a casino here.rnStephens said, however, he appreciates what a great opportunity Osoyoos has in Desert Park and said he believes it must be saved.
There are stables for 150 horses, which means at one time they had 150 horses here, with activities and events going on, and there was no casino there when that was happening.
Looking out over the field last week, Stephens said he was saddened to see the deteriorated condition of the racetrack and the grandstand and was ready to jump up, grab hammers and nails and get a casino in there tomorrow.rnHe wondered what would happen to Desert Park should the gaming plebiscite not pass.
Caroline Staple, who is also a director of the Canadian Mental Health Association, said she has also seen what happens to people who do not have the strength to stay away from the source of their addictions.
Addictions devastate families and can often lead to worse problems. People can become overwhelmed by their addictions and can become depressed. I'm concerned about the people who don't have the strength to help themselves.rnStaple also noted that Interior Health is making cutbacks on mental health and addiction services. She noted that Bateman House, Osoyoos' mental health drop-in centre, is likely going to be closed.
Bateman House supports about 53 individuals who are mentally ill or who have addictions. With Bateman House leaving, the care won't be there to help these people.
Staple said she isn't for or against a casino, but like Stephens, she wanted to raise the issue of gambling's dark side.
The forum was then opened up to the audience. Several people asked questions or raised points about Max Gibb and his proposal for Desert Park, including one person who wondered if Gibb might direct his community support to help re-establish Bateman House.
Others raised the issue of traffic concerns and organized crime influences. Still others pointed out that liquor stores don't close because some people are addicted to alcohol.
Tessier acknowledged addiction problems are a concern, but added gambling is available everywhere, including on-line.
Things have changed. Gaming is at nearly every cash register in the province, through lottery and 'scratch' tickets.rnIf one thing was clear from the panel discussion, it was that the gaming issue is complex and that support and opposition will both be shown at the June 17 vote.
