Editor:
The name and logo for this Desert Park-based enterprise (spelled SIREC) was chosen with great care and a sound long-term vision in mind.
Our corporate Board feels that the logo explains the scope of the project.
The “SI” stands for the Southern Interior, the area of impact we are trying to reach and encompass.
The “R” stands for Recreation.
What we lack in our area today are organized recreational opportunities for our youth, the general public, our rurally oriented residents, our visitors and those families that cannot afford the more expensive popular sports like golf or skiing.
The “E” stands for Equestrian.
That was and is still the Desert Park’s primary and original focus.
What finer way to celebrate our rural roots than with horses and livestock-based activities.
The “C” stands for “Centre,” the ‘Stanley Park’ of the South Okanagan, our Desert Park.
The 62-acre site and its surroundings can and should be directed towards a future as a well rounded, all-inclusive recreational complex that can involve everyone’s ideas of fun and recreation.
In conjunction with the nearby golf course we have a broad-based opportunity to make the Park functional again as a playground for everyone.
SIREC was incorporated and is funded by community minded, experienced local business people and sports aficionados, not the taxpayers as such.
We, SIREC, want to work closely with any group or society that needs an outlet and venue for their recreational enterprises and events, be they equestrian-based or not.
The Friends of Desert Park are our volunteer non-profit partners so to speak and most of us are members of this equestrian based Society as well.
Merritt is losing its Mountain Festival, due to bankruptcy, and Penticton is hurting financially with their 50-million-dollar events centre.
How does anyone think little old Osoyoos will pull it off by staging extravagant one-night spectaculars?
Let anyone that wants to stage such extravaganzas put up real money and guarantee the financial survival in the long run of Desert Park.
SIREC’s vision is much more modest, broadly based and umbrella type in design.
Under SIREC’s guidance and business plan anyone can enjoy Desert Park and hold their particular events, without exposing the local taxpayers to unreasonable risks.
Step by step we will succeed.
All we need today is the public’s endorsement and the Town Council’s approval to put our overall plan into action.
Anyone is welcome in SIREC and we appreciate everyone’s ideas, support and enthusiasm.
Eike Scheffler,
SIREC director and shareholder
OSOYOOS TIMES-August 5, 2009
