TRACK CLEARS ONE HURDLE, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE NEXT ONE?
The Osoyoos people have spoken, loudly and clearly.
With their overwhelming 88-per-cent vote last Saturday in favour of allowing various types of gambling at the town's Desert Park horse race facility, they have said in no uncertain terms that they want this amenity to survive and prosper in the community.
While some in town feel gambling is a social vice not to be allowed, they are in the minority. The combined votes of those who feel recreational gambling is fine and those who say we'll take a bit of gambling if it means saving the racetrack and park far outweighed the naysayers.
Given earlier indications from the B.C. Lottery Corporation that strong community support for gambling would likely mean approval for slot machines at Desert Park, it looks like the casino application of the Lethbridge-based Rocky Mountain Turf Club will succeed.
But that is only the first hurdle. What exactly will the Lottery Corporation approve for Desert Park? And how will that mesh with the decade-long effort of the Osoyoos Indian Band to get approval for a casino as part of its rapidly growing resort complex on the east side of town?rnThere isn't much doubt that, if they get the green light from the provincial government, the Rocky Mountain Turf Club will do a good job of revitalizing Desert Park. They have shown openness and goodwill here to date, and have provided a lot of evidence of their success in making the Lethbridge track a lively attraction in that city.
But there is a challenge in front of all involved. Can the province, the town, the Rocky Mountain people and the Indian Band do some creative problem-solving and come up with a casino solution for Osoyoos that will satisfy all concerned?
