Craig Piper (left) and Gordie Reedman were busy last week removing rotten wood from the old bleachers at Desert Park. They and their fellow workers managed to save a nest of birds discovered during the work. (Richard McGuire photo)
Renovations to the grandstand at Desert Park are well underway in preparation for horse races in August and other community events.
The Desert Park Exhibition Society has received funding from both the Town of Osoyoos and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) to renovate the bleachers, overhang and the roof of the main building.
Meanwhile, the society is trying to sell tickets for its Derby Nites fundraiser taking place this Saturday at the Watermark Beach Resort. That event, which starts at 6 p.m., will feature races with wooden horses, dinner, dancing, a live auction and other entertainment.
Money raised by this event will also help with the renovations.
The first phase of the renovations is to upgrade the stands and make sure they are safe, as well as to reinforce the overhang, said Coun. Carol Youngberg, who is also a volunteer and council’s liaison with the Desert Park Exhibition Society.
“What we’re trying to do is make sure that the seating area is safe for everybody so that we can possibly license it for the races in August,” said Youngberg.
Horse races are tentatively scheduled for Aug. 8 and 22.
The first phase is being funded by a $37,000 grant from the Town of Osoyoos that was approved in the town’s budget in March, Youngberg said.
A second phase will include fixing the roof of the main building and ceiling membrane to prevent future water leakage. Funding of $50,000 for that program comes from the RDOS, Youngberg said.
This weekend’s fundraising event and other initiatives will be needed to fund the third phase, which includes fixing some of the water-damaged walls, she added.
Youngberg emphasized that the renovations will benefit a wide range of community events.
“It’s not being repaired specifically for horseracing or for Desert Park,” she said.
Among the other events that can use the facility, she said, are baseball, soccer tournaments and music events.
Many activities can use the infield, but there are also facilities for indoor functions that use the gymnasium and other rooms.
“That’s the reasoning behind upgrading of the building,” she said. “The building is being renovated for the use of the community. We can use it for the benefit of everybody.”
The work on the grandstand and roof is expected to be completed by the end of June, she said.
Tickets for the Derby Nites fundraiser are available for $50 at the office of the Osoyoos Times.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Craig Piper works to remove rotten wood from the bleachers at Desert Park. (Richard McGuire photo)
