– To be temporary move until decision on casino proposal –

(OSOYOOS TIMES — October 11, 2006) –

By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times

At its October 2 meeting, Council passed a motion that the Town and Friends of Desert Park pursue an agreement for fall, winter and spring equestrian training at the park, subject to discussion with and approval by the Rocky Mountain Turf Club.
Earlier that evening FODP President Richard Tessier joked he was passing the hat to get financial help from the Town and from horse owners and enthusiasts to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the track and barns in order to enable horses to train at Desert Park over the winter season.
We, as members, have contributed enough money to have the track graded so horses can again run on it. We've been in negotiations with the contractor to do that job and we've been in negotiations with Ken Toepfer to maintain it afterwards, and we're looking for all the 'friends' of Desert Park to come forth and assist us in maintaining the expense portion of maintaining the park.rnTessier said the group wants to attract everybody in the rural area who owns a horse, to join Friends of Desert Park with a $15 membership. For a $200 donation, Tessier said individuals will receive a 20 x 30 print of a jockey on a horse, courtesy of Osoyoos resident Mike Styles.
Tessier emphasised he is not talking about racing or entertainment, just the equestrian facility “ the track and the barns. We would be glad to take over the management of that aspect of the park on a temporary basis, until the political forces come to a decision [about whether to allow slots to go into the facility]. I know we can work together, and we would like to do that. To beat the frost is our objective.
Mayor John Slater said, We know there is a time issue. We also know that the Town of Osoyoos has been deplorable at running that facility over the last four or five years. I think if we refer this to staff and talk with Rocky Mountain Turf Club, and we can come up with some kind of agreement, then everybody wins.
Rocky Mountain Turf Club CEO Max Gibb later agreed to assist the group to some degree in getting the park in shape for equestrian activities over the fall and winter.
I think it's an exciting idea, he said, but he added the real need now is to get a decision from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and get on with refurbishing Desert Park, so it's in shape for a racing season next spring. He says the length of time the government decision is taking is a bit frustrating. The designers and construction team are ready, so we're ready to go when we get the [BCLC] approval.
He added there is now a campaign in the rural Osoyoos area to support his bid for Desert Park. We have between 30-40 letters of support that we will send very soon to the Lottery Corporation. Now is the time for people to get involved.
Gibb also said he had a cordial meeting with the Osoyoos Indian Band's CEO Chris Scott and CFO Brian Titus last week, and plans to present the Band a conceptual offer within the next two weeks. They're like us. They're looking for a solution and we all wonder if there's a way we can do it together.
Scott said the meeting with Gibb went well and the Band looks forward to seeing a proposal in writing, although he said he has no idea what it will look like.
The Band has always expressed an interest in participating in a gaming opportunity, and I think Max is aware of and appreciates the fact the BCLC and the province know it's a sensitive issue, now made more complex with two proposals to decide on.rnScott agreed it would be ideal if an arrangement could be found that would be good for everyone “ the Town, the OIB, Desert Park Racetrack and Rocky Mountain Turf Club.
In the meantime, anyone wishing to contribute to the cost of maintaining Desert Park over the winter season can send donations and letters of support to Friends of Desert Park, P.O. Box 1235, Osoyoos, BC V0H 1V0.