Park plan stalled until October

Planning for a new park on the site of the former Civic Arena site will remain on hold until October.

The park was in this year’s capital works plan, but council voted August 17 to take a two month pause until its October 13 meeting.

“I have had a long hard think about this over the past few weeks and I like the plan. I’m of the opinion we should allow that contract to proceed,” said Councillor Brian Quiring.

“We have to be better. This is a little wishy washy, both the pause and then rescinding (the motion) 30 days later,” said Councillor Kari Gares “We asked for this delay until we saw the outcome of the cultural centre design.”

The Greater Vernon Services Committee is expected to have that plan finalized for a special meeting on September 23.

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City staff indicated that it would be unlikely shovels would be in the ground on the Civic Park Project this fall even if planning resumes immediatly.

In the end, council voted not to rescind the motion, keeping the planning pause in effect for now.

Councillor Quiring also gave a notice of motion related to the proposed site of the cultural centre on the so called Vernon Block (former Coldstream Hotel site), asking for a zoning change. Contingent on the cultural centre proceeding, that the remainder of the property be designated parkland (P2) zoning.