– Rocky Mountain Turf Club owner wants definite answer soon –

(OSOYOOS TIMES — April 18, 2007) –

By Julie TurnerrnOsoyoos Times

Ten months after a Town of Osoyoos plebiscite showed 88 per cent of the public supports his horse racing and 'slots' proposal at Desert Park, Rocky Mountain Turf Club (RMTC) head Max Gibb says he is still waiting for a gaming licence from the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC).
At the moment, Gibb says he is going to hang in and wait for a decision but in the next couple of weeks, if we haven't heard anything we'll put as much pressure on the Town and the BCLC as we can.
And at some point over the next two months we'll ask the BCLC to tell us something definite. We know we have the best proposal and we think with our offer to the OIB, we've covered it all, he says.
He says his hopes to re-establish a racetrack and other equestrian and special events at Desert Park are still high but adds he's letting the Town take the lead.
The Town and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) “ which is also applying for a licence from the BCLC to establish its own gambling operation (a community gaming centre) “ are now working jointly with a consulting firm which is weighing both applications to determine the best site for a facility and which of the two operations would generate a greater economic impact for the community.
We made an application request some time ago and we acknowledge there is limited capacity for a gaming facility in Osoyoos, says Gibb.
We believe we should be the successful candidate because of the enthusiasm of the community and the positive economic impact of the race track and gaming on Osoyoos. With other special events at Desert Park there would be year-round activity.rnHe adds RMTC did make an offer to the OIB last year in which the Band could have been a participant in its gambling operation, including getting a percentage of the company and an opportunity to buy in further but they said they wanted their own, Gibb says.
The Town has said its priority remains to work with RMTC to develop a racetrack and 'racino' at Desert Park but it realizes the two applications before the BCLC have proven the need for the two parties to work out a revenue-sharing agreement.
Gibb says he empathizes with the townspeople of Osoyoos who are frustrated by the BCLC's delay in making a decision, adding he is also frustrated.
I thought we'd be racing this year. I thought once we had the positive vote, we could move forward and make it happen.
He says he appreciates all the support he has had from Friends of Desert Park, the Osoyoos people who voted for his racino proposal and all the rural people who couldn't vote in the Town plebiscite but who wrote letters of support to the BCLC.