Kin Race Track Case in Court Today

A court case begins today in Vancouver that should determine what happens to the Kin Race Track site here in Vernon.

The Okanagan Equestrian Society wants the facility to remain available for horse related events, while the City of Vernon wants the land for other recreational uses.

Society President Robyn Dalziel says covenants put on the land in 1893 by Cornelius O’Keefe ensure it will stay in their control.

“Going into it our expectations are we have an excellent case and we will be successful and the race track will remain.”

Dalziel says the O’Keefe covenants are in effect to this day giving them confidence they can win this case.

“So those covenants have been on that land since it originally was donated in 1893.”

The Society turned the land over to the North Okanagan Regional District in 1964, believing the covenants on the land were still in effect .

Dalziel contends the Regional District negotiator lied to them about controlling the use of the facility in future.

“What he promised us is not true, so we signed that contract after he misrepresented, so we do have a strong case. We absolutely do have a strong case.”

Vernon Mayor Akbul Mund said earlier the City tried to settle the issue out of court but couldn’t and now a judge will decide.