WATCH: Horse races canceled in Vernon

VERNON – There won’t be horse racing at Kin Race Track in Vernon this summer.

The Okanagan Equestrian Society that operates the track has scrapped plans to hold races after electrical issues were identified.

It’s just the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the society and local governments.

Society spokesperson Ed Woolley says canceling the races is a huge disappointment.

“This would have been our 121st year of racing at Kin Race Track so there is a long history involved and we have a lot of devoted fans of horse racing that come out here each year from all over,” says Woolley.

The city is concerned about safety at the track.

“Our own electrical inspectors went out there and took a look at it and went ‘there are a number of issues here’. It is not safe to operate without significant upgrades to the electrical system,” says acting mayor Catherine Lord.

Woolley says some of the issues raised by the city are cosmetic.

“A lot of the costs that would be required therefore we don’t view as being necessary since we are not either using that track or it is not a safety issue that is being complained of,” says Woolley.

The city disagrees.

“I’m sure that anything that we’ve asked of them has to deal with safety particularly and the safety of the public. If you are going to hold races there you are going to have to have to make sure that at least the public is safe,” says Lord.

The society hoping to have races running again in 2015.