-Scheffler says he's working on solution for Desert Park-

OSOYOOS TIMES-December 17, 2008-

By Karen KnelsenrnOsoyoos Times

Friends of Desert Park found out last Thursday who isn't on their list of friends “ the B.C. Lottery Corporation.
But Eike Scheffler said he might have an answer to the disappointment.
When the pro-park group met for the second half of their annual general meeting on the evening of Dec. 11, they heard Richard Tessier, president of the group, read a letter from provincial Housing and Social Development Minister Rich Coleman that the group received after the first half of its annual general meeting on Nov. 20.
A lot has happened since the last meeting, Tessier said. The biggest bombshell was a letter addressed to his worship John Slater.
The letter to Osoyoos's previous mayor dashed any recent hopes of setting up a casino as part of the rehabilitation plan for the Desert Park race track.
A market assessment in 2007 indicated insufficient demand to supply (a gaming facility), Tessier read from the letter.
Mayor Stu Wells said that, during a meeting with Coleman, himself, and other council members at the recent Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Penticton, Coleman suggested there might not be opportunity for an all-out casino, but instead encouraged the Town to apply for slot machines with a community gaming licence.
It was almost wink, wink, nod, nod, done deal, Wells said. Almost.
But in Coleman's letter to the Town, he directly contradicts any urging Wells and council may have interpreted.
There is insufficient market for either type of facility at present, the letter read. Establishing a casino or gaming… is not an option at this time.
Coleman urged the Town to consider a development strategy for Desert Park that does not rely on a casino.
For Tessier, the letter was a surprise.
We were all in shock, he said.
The Rocky Mountain Turf Club won a bid in a request for proposals to re-develop the park a few years ago, but so far no progress has been made.
The group runs a successful racetrack and gaming facility in Alberta and had big plans for Desert Park when they submitted their proposal.
But those plans were based around a profitable gaming sector in addition to horse racing.
Now Wells is suggesting the Town should be looking for a two-part strategy for the short and long term and he announced that Osoyoos town council would be willing to look at any proposals put before them.
Eike Scheffler, who unsuccessfully ran for mayor in the last election, told the meeting he has a plan for the park and wants to make a proposal to council himself.
It's ready to go, he said.
In a telephone interview on Dec. 12, Scheffler said he wants to see the park used as a multi-purpose facility with a focus on equestrian activities, though not necessarily racing.
We've got ideas like you wouldn't believe, he said.
He'd like to see a joint venture between the regional district and the people he is working with.
Scheffler said the park's been sitting in disrepair for too long and it's time for a newer, more modern and more functional approach.
He said he's been speaking privately with council members and hopes to be invited to an open council meeting sometime in January.
It's a shame to let it just sit and go to waste, he said.
Following the meeting the group held its elections. Tessier was acclaimed as president, Gordon Wilson was acclaimed as vice-president, Joe-Ann Tessier was acclaimed as secretary treasurer and Brian Starkey, Al Schultz, Gordon Mackenzie, Gail Hocksteiner, Nina Heidtke, Elaine Starkey and John Wilkinson will all serve as directors.
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