Town will now call for a new operator for the controversial Desert Park
Local group the Friends of Desert Park took a message to Mayor John Slater and council last Monday night: No RV park in Desert Park.
Friends of Desert Park (FODP) spokesman Richard Tessier presented a petition to council at last Monday's public meeting.
In the petition, over 500 Osoyoos and surrounding South Okanagan residents agreed with the statement:
We, the undersigned, oppose any development of an RV Park on the property known as Desert Park.
The petition came about in response to consulting firm Urban Systems' three concepts for the development of Desert Park, which were revealed at an open house on March 17.
Urban Systems proposed in two out of three of their plans that an RV park be developed at the north end of Desert Park, with an underpass to be possibly linked to the Osoyoos Golf Course across the road.
Many of the people who came to view the three options were negative to the large RV park concept and FODP decided to circulate the petition to give the public a voice.
We heard a lot of voices saying 'No' to an RV park, Tessier explained to council.
Tessier went on to say that his hope was that FODP, with some direction from council, could work with the Town of Osoyoos to better promote the facility.
We at Friends of Desert Park find most things that are taken away, we can't afford to replace, Tessier said.
We don't want to lose the equestrian facility or the park or the soccer fields.rnMayor Slater thanked Tessier for his presentation and said that in the next two to three weeks council would be analyzing the proposals.
We will be looking at the four proposals, and we're including Friends of Desert Park as one of the proposals, said Slater.
He went on to say that the town is aware the RV park is a controversial issue. However, Slater added, the reason the town created the small number of RV lots at Desert Park 10- 12 years ago was to service the trainers who wanted to be near their horses.
Slater said he believed some RV sites would be necessary to accommodate trainers should the equestrian facility remain.
It is worth noting that the first of the Urban Systems concepts, designated Equestrian, did not include any RV sites, suggesting the RV sites for the other two concepts had nothing to do with providing accommodation to equestrian enthusiasts.
Further, Urban Systems' third concept, designated Recreation Centre, did not include any equestrian component yet it included the RV park.
We are in agreement with having a few trailers on the grounds to house trainers.
Friends of Desert Park's concern was that Urban Systems presented a mix of permanent residences as well as rentals, Tessier responded.
I'm certain this council would not allow the type of RV park up there that would be consistent with the RV parks in town, Slater said.
Councillor Shields agreed that there might be a small requirement for a few trailer sites at Desert Park.
I don't see this as a major sticking point if there's a general conclusion that we don't want a huge RV park. I kind of agree with what Richard Tessier is saying, Shields said.
We never anticipated it to be a major enterprise. I am not in favour of a major enterprise, Shields added.
Tessier explained that FODP is in the process of forming a society or corporation to help in the promotion of Desert Park. He noted that they have connections with Destination Osoyoos, promotional people in Vancouver and lobbyists in Alberta who all back what FODP are trying to achieve – that is, to preserve Desert Park as a multi-purpose recreation facility for the enjoyment of all.
* * * Later in the council meeting, Slater disclosed the results of the Urban Systems study and public opinion gathered at the open house.
In a memorandum from Urban Systems' Senior Consultant Ed Griphone to the Town of Osoyoos, several options to proceed were described.
Council decided to go with suggestion two: initiate a proposal call for a new operator.
Slater said the call for proposals would go out in the next two to three weeks, and a full business plan from every bidder would be required.
In addition, council would need to come to a decision with respect to gaming or casino applications in Osoyoos, should horse racing resume at Desert Park.
Council discussed whether or not gaming operations should be allowed to be included in the call for proposals and determined they should leave the option open and let the public decide.
Slater said that if a proposal did come forward that included a gaming component, then a public referendum would give Osoyoos residents the final say.
The cost of the Urban Systems study was $8,400 and was commissioned by the Town of Osoyoos in the fall of 2004.
