End of days for race track

Jun 20, 2019 | 3:13 PM

A piece of Vernon history is being demolished.

Work to turn the old Kin Race Track into a greenfield site is underway.

A contractor has started to remove all recyclable materials from the site while the old stables, what’s left of the grandstand and the beer garden are all expected to be demolished next week.

“What they’re doing right now is removing most of the recyclable materials, so the tin and steel roof and that type of material,” Will Pearce, the chief administrative officer for the City of Vernon, said. “Some of the wood in the old horse barns is recyclable material.”

Pearce said larger equipment is expected to move onto the 7.5 acre site by early to mid-week next week to remove the balance of the older buildings and the rails around the dilapidated race track.

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“The idea is to get us back to a greenfield site with the exception of the ball diamonds. We’re leaving the ball diamonds in. Then we can start a public engagement process for the future planning and development of the site,” he said.

Public consultations are expected to begin in the fall.

In earlier consultations with the public, a new pool is at the top of the list.

According to a document before a city council strategy session today, a public information campaign could be carried out next year, with a possible regional referendum on a proposed multi-purpose, multi-purpose active living centre.

On July 9, 2014, the grandstand at the track was badly damaged in an arson fire that led to the end of horse racing.

The track was also the centre of a years-long dispute between the Okanagan Equestrian Society and local government, including the City of Vernon and the North Okanagan Regional District.

The society lost a court case over the matter last year and, earlier this year, announced it would not appeal.

by Kate Bouey

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