By Pete McIntyre

Horse college generates ‘unbelievable’ interest

Sep 25, 2019 | 3:00 PM

A proposal for a horse college in the Vernon area is roaring out of the starting gate.

Malcolm Lynn, founder of the Monashee Valley Agri Park Society, said the interest has been “incredible,” with three groups coming forward with proposals to provide leased land for the facility.

“Three people came forward with land, three groups. I can’t tell you who they are because they wanted to remain confidential at this point. Hopefully we can make an announcement Oct. 9, (next meeting), where we’re going. Right now I’m checking them all out. They’re all north of Vernon,” Lynn told Vernon Matters.

The non-profit society had over 50 people attend its initial meeting earlier this month, and will hold another one Oct. 9, 7 p.m. at Squires Four Pub.

“[The interest has been] unbelievable, incredible. We’ve had meetings in Kamloops and Merritt when we went there, but nothing like the turnout for this,” Lynn said.

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The society’s plan is to lease at least 50 acres, and offer blacksmith and veterinarian assistant courses to generate revenue, which would be invested back into the facility for facilities like a horse racing track, a swimming pool for horses, and perhaps an RV park.

“Two of the three properties can support a race track, and we want to build a race track to replace Kin [Race Track] because the federal government will give us lots of money (grants) for that historic site.”

He said it would be a mile race track with a three-quarter mile turf course on the inside.

Lynn said former Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacCauley told the group Ottawa has a horse industry grant that is full, and would provide millions of dollars to rebuild a historic site.

“If we can get this project going, and get our money from the provincial and federal governments, it could be a $100 million project,” Lynn added.

He said once expenses were paid, revenue from the facility would be put back into organizations like 4-H, the Interior Provincial Exhibition, and other horse-related groups.

The City of Vernon recently tore down the structures that supported horse racing at Kin Race Track on 43rd Avenue which was the subject of a court battle between local government and the Okanagan Equestrian Society over usage. It was a nearly-decade long legal battle which the city eventually won.

The city is looking at the land for new recreational facilities such as an indoor aquatic centre.

For more information on the Agri Park Society and its proposal, contact Malcolm Lynn at 250 938 8997, or visit their office at Unit #346, 3104 30th Ave. in Vernon.

by Pete McIntyre

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