Downtown park rezoning proposal fails

Vernon council has voted to sell one half of the Vernon Block to the Regional District of North Okanagan for $2,475,000 with $777,150 to be funded by Coldstream and Areas B and C.

The land is roughly 33,000 square feet and would be used for the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre if it proceeds.

A proposal from Coun. Brian Quiring to use the other half for parkland, contingent on the centre being constructed, resulted in a lively debate that ultimately left the current zoning of mixed use residential.

“Why are we jamming this site? You’re going to handcuff a $40 million project over a couple of million dollars.That’s bad planning,” Quiring said. “This needs to be seen as a cultural icon, with some breathing room around it. Right now we are constricting the design of it.”

“There could be complementary developments for that site, which would create additional foot traffic. We don’t need to rush into it,” Coun. Kari Gares said.

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“Why would we put a park there when we have a park (Polson Park) a block away?” Coun. Akbal Mund said.

“A cultural centre in the midst of a green space would make it unique. I don’t think we can have enough parks,” Coun. Scott Anderson said in support of the rezoning.

Coun. Dalvir Nahal also supported the motion, which was lost 4-3, with Mayor Victor Cumming, and councillors Fehr, Gares and Mund voting against the idea.

Grant requests of more than $10 million are currently being made to the provincial and federal governments in support of the nearly $40 million cultural centre.