GVPRD Director Doug Ross at Vernon Seniors Fair. (Kevin Rothwell/Vernon Matters Staff)

By Kevin Rothwell

$121-million referendum

Seniors weigh in on Active Living Centre

Sep 20, 2022 | 3:00 PM

One of the busiest booths at the Vernon Seniors Fair this past weekend was Greater Vernon Recreation’s information site on the Active Living Centre.

Vernon Seniors Fair at Polson Park Saturday (Kevin Rothwell/Vernon Matters Staff)

Vernon residents go to the polls October 15 to vote in a referendum deciding the fate of a $121 million multi-purpose indoor recreation facility.

The centre would be located at Kin Race Track Athletic Park on 43 Avenue.

It would include an aquatic centre, a double gymnasium with multiple sport courts, an 80-station fitness centre, a 150-metre synthetic walking/running track and multi-purpose activity and program spaces.

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“I would say 85 to 90 per cent of the people I have spoken to are in favour of the project and some are wondering why it has taken this long to build something new,” Director of Recreation Services Doug Ross told Vernon Matters.

Ross said the most common questions are when construction would start, how much it will cost, the site and what amenities are included.

There are several upcoming events where voters can learn more:

• Sept. 21 – Vernon Secondary School – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (open house)
• Sept. 23 – Culture Days at Polson Park – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Sept. 24 – Vernon Vipers hockey game – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Sept. 25 – Village Green Shopping Centre – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (pop-up booth)
• Sept. 28 – Seaton Secondary School – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. (open house)
• Oct. 1 – Vernon Recreation Centre – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 1 – Vernon Fall Home Show – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 2 – Vernon Recreation Centre – 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 2 – Vernon Fall Home Show – 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 6 – Vernon Farmers’ Market – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 7 – Vernon Vipers hockey game – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 8 – Village Green Shopping Centre – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 8 – Vernon Vipers hockey game – 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 9 – Village Green Shopping Centre – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 12 – Vernon Recreation Centre – 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (open house)
• Oct. 13 – Vernon Farmers Market – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (pop-up booth)
• Oct. 14 – Vernon Vipers hockey hame – 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (pop-up booth)

The city launched an online portal with information about the proposed Active Living Centre, the borrowing process, the impact it will have on taxpayers and more.