OSOYOOS TIMES-December 9, 2009

By Laurena Weninger - Osoyoos Times

“The SIREC (proposal) was just a lot closer to council’s vision about what should be happening up there,” said Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells, as Osoyoos town council unanimously agreed to choose the proposal prepared by the South Interior Recreational Equine Centre (SIREC) for the future of Desert Park.
Wells was speaking at the Dec. 7 council meeting, where council made the decision to pursue a contract with SIREC, one of the two groups that responded to the Town’s call for expressions of interest to administer the park.
The other proposal received was from Tom Shields, executive director of Desert Rox Inc.
Shields wanted to bring concerts to the facility, several each year, and give the Town a portion of the proceeds.
But council pointed out that SIREC’s proposal, which was submitted to the Town on Nov. 25, was a bit broader and best met the Town’s criteria.
The group stated in its expression of interest that it plans to provide year-round equestrian training, boarding, pleasure riding and hosting of equestrian sporting events at the park.
“I’m delighted,” said Coun. Michael Ryan, commenting on what SIREC has already done on the property, with just the temporary lease. “I look forward to our staff negotiating a contract we can look at, and eventually sign off on.”
That means this isn’t a done deal yet, pointed out Wells.
Town staff have been instructed to try to come up with an agreement with the group and the details of a long-term contract still have to be worked out.
Coun. Marg Chadsey said the submission from Shields’ group was also very good.
“It was not an easy task to choose one or the other,” she said. “It would have been really nice if the two had got together, then we would have had the absolutely perfect (proposal).”

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