Fight over Kin Race Track

The Okanagan Equestrian Society is accusing local politicians of closing the door on public input over the fate of the Kin Race Track in Vernon.

The North Okanagan Regional District (NORD) has plans for the race track to be turned into a multi-use sports facility that includes baseball diamonds, a BMX bike park, a gymnastics club and skating rinks.

Meanwhile, the Equestrian Society says it would like to see the century-old track stay intact while adding some sports facilities to the adjacent land.

Ed Wooley of the Equestrian Society planned an open house for Thursday night to discuss the future of the track.

He says he believed the meeting was going to be a joint venture with NORD.

But that tone changed as the open house approached.

In an email from the NORD Parks Manager Al McNiven, he tells Wooley that “the press release can in no way give the impression that this is an open house sponsored by or in partnership with the regional district".

Wooley says he believes NORD did not want to get stuck in a process where public input is contrary to their plans.

However, McNiven says NORD is not participating in the open house because they have already held a public input session about potential renovations at the race track.

He adds he will be on hand at the open house but stresses it will be to answer question, not collect input.

The two sides are headed to court in March to decide the fate of the park.