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Editor: GlEnn MitchEll
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013 - The Morning Star A9
E-Mail: letters@vernonmorningstar.com
Facility figures don't add up
s a past marathon runner, I have an abiding interest in sports, especially track and field. Nonetheless, I do not support the proposed sports complex. In a recent letter in The Morning Star, entitled “Sports facility offers benefit,” the writer states, “A recent Seniors Games generated about 2.5 million in economic activity for the host community.” On the surface, this seems like a pretty nice windfall. However it must be remembered that the Senior Games and the B.C. Summer Games are offered to communities across B.C. and would only come to Vernon every few years. The $2.5 million pie will be divvied up between scores of local businesses, with the two biggest beneficiaries being the provincial and federal government in the form of PST/ GST, numerous gas taxes, alcohol taxes, cigarette taxes, accommodation taxes, and federal and provincial income tax on the profits. So right off the top. we can deduct a minimum of $0.5 million just for taxes. From the $2 million left, we have to deduct numerous business costs (minus labour), like hydro, natural gas and the cost of goods, most of which would not be produced locally, thereby providing no secondary benefit. Now the pie has shrunk to about
voting yes Please make the effort to vote April 6 for the track and field facility. I believe this is a good addition to Vernon. How do I know you might ask? I grew up in Vernon and truly had no concept of what track and field could be or lead to, possibly because Vernon has never had a regulation track that athletes could train and compete on. I thought the Polson track was the best. When I was fortunate to return to raise my children and work in health care here I became infinitely aware of how a simple regulation track could benefit so many members of our community. As my daughters grew, one became very interested in track and field (thanks to her Grade 5 teacher). Although I had no concept of what this really was, I encouraged her to follow her dreams. I went to her first track meet
$1 million. From the $1 million, we have to deduct what it costs the city (taxpayers), to host the games like extra policing/by-law enforcement, garbage removal, beautification projects, to impress the visitors, and other related expenses. And these figures don’t take into account the prospective visitors who are not associated with the games, but would have come to the city anyway, only to be turned away because there is no room in the inn. By the time all of these costs are realized, the net gain to the town could be in the negative or minuscule at best, and there has yet to be any mid to long range benefits created. Another writer to The Morning Star compared the proposed sports complex
at the Lower Mainland, and little did I know, that hundreds of kids, adults, seniors, and people with disabilities participate in track meets. These meets are not only about who wins, but also on how each athlete does. Instead of hearing, "Did you win?" you hear, "How did you do?" The answer is not, "I won," but, "I beat my personal record," or, "I jumped four meters." She became hooked on running and I became fascinated with the wide world of track and field. Everyone can participate, no matter what their body type. They can “run, jump or throw,” which is Athletic Canada’s program name for young athletes. A regulation track surface would allow these young, experienced or wheelchair athletes to practise and thus compete at the same level as other athletes in B.C. and Canada. I was involved with Vernon
During the 30th Ave revitalization ...
to Wesbild Centre and made mention that Wesbild attracts 100,000 people per year including those who use the centre to walk laps. Nevertheless, to compare a centrally located, heated facility to an outdoor sports track on the outskirts of town is comparing apples to oranges. The walkers use Wesbild Centre in inclement weather because it is enclosed and heated. Therefore, they certainly are not going to use an outdoor track as an alternative. Furthermore, when the weather becomes conducive to outdoor walking, the majority are going to use the centrally located, idyllic location called Polson Park rather than drive several kilometres each way to use the not so bucolic sports complex. Another supporter of the complex sug-
Amateur Athletics Track and Field Club for six years. During this time, I saw how the world of track and field can inspire young athletes, but unfortunately also how, without the proper training facilities, these athletes move on to different sports. As a nurse, I see firsthand the effects of inactivity. A track surface will provide a safe place to exercise, while minimizing the risk of falls for people of any mobility (walkers, wheelchairs, canes). Many people walk in the Wesbild, but the cement surface is hard on joints and non-forgiving if a fall were to happen. Being able to participate in outdoor activities with minimal risk is far more motivating than walking circles in a building (though we are lucky that this is available when the weather is bad). I can hardly wait to drive into Vernon from the south and see this
gested we need facilities like these to attract more families to move to the area and that this would reduce the tax load. However, if this argument was true, then populous cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal would have property taxes in the hundreds of dollars per year when in fact this is not the case. The larger cities most often have tax rates much higher than smaller communities. This is due to expensive infrastructure and the need for more taxpayer-funded, highly-paid employees, such as: police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, city workers, etc. These highly paid positions are not balanced out by the minimum wage service sector based jobs that higher population bases create. I would suggest to the small special interest group that is promoting this facility that instead of seeking to saddle the area taxpayers with more needless debt, especially in light of the recent revelation that the City of Vernon has a deficit of $78 million for necessary infrastructure upgrades, that maybe you should consider trying to have the project funded privately. If the facility is considered viable, the investment could be realized through the collection of user fees and be a win-win solution for everyone. M.C. Krien
beautiful facility, well-planned, affordable and useable by all. suzanne Bailey opposed to projeCt You can add my name to the list of those opposing the construction of a world-class racing track. My philosophy includes completing projects already started (hospital expansion and others) before embarking on more, fixing up what we already have before building more and ensuring we can afford bread and potatoes before buying cake and ice cream. Let's address things like housing for the destitute, treatment for the mentally ill and those addicted to drugs and alcohol and concentrate on rehabilitating the unemployable so they too can contribute. Those in favour of a fancy track can go sell some hot dogs and pay for it themselves. j.L Mawle
■ The Morning Star is a member of the British Columbia Press Council, a self-regulatory body governing the province's newspaper industry. The council considers complaints from the public about the conduct of member newspapers. Directors oversee the mediation of complaints, with input from both the newspaper and the complaint holder. If talking with the editor or publisher does not resolve your complaint about coverage or story treatment, you may contact the B.C. Press Council. Your written concern, with documentation, should be sent to B.C. Press Council, 201 Selby St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 2R2. For information, phone 888687-2213 or go to www.bcpresscouncil.org
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