HITTING THE STREET | Vernon teachers resume picketing to put pressure on the government [A7]
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Wednesday, July 9, 2014
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Brewery launches major investment RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
A brand synonymous with Vernon is expanding its presence. Officials with Sleeman Breweries announced Tuesday that there will be a $4.4 million investment in the Okanagan Spring facility downtown. “It’s good to see we’ve grown again,” said brewmaster Stefan Tobler, whose family founded Okanagan Spring 30 years ago. It’s expected construction will begin in November, and be completed by next April. The project will include new tanks, increased brewhouse capacity and refrigeration upgrades — bolstering annual capacity by about 20 per cent. Additional jobs are anticipated in brewing, packaging, maintenance and warehousing. “We are already starting to interview for some of those positions,” said Dave Klaassen, Sleeman Breweries vice-president of operations. There are currently about 140 employees. The expansion will occur within the existing footprint of the facility, and Tobler admits that physical conditions are tight on
KRISTIN FRONEMAN/MORNING STAR
Dave Klaassen (left), Sleeman Breweries vice-president, details plans for a $4.4 million expansion at Okanagan Spring Tuesday as brewmaster Stefan Tobler and a large crowd take part in the announcement. the property. “We still have a little growth
room and as we always say, ‘There’s up,” he said.
Driving the expansion is consumer demand for Okanagan
Spring products as well as beers that fall under the Sleeman banner. “It’s high-quality beer and a flavour everyone likes,” said Tobler. While the exact number of new employees is yet to be determined, City of Vernon officials believe the expansion is significant because it solidifies Okanagan Spring’s role as an economic anchor. “To see this investment in the community is excellent news. It speaks to the long-term commitment of Sleeman,” said Kevin Poole, the city’s economic development manager. “These are great jobs to have here. Manufacturing has taken a big hit in the North Okanagan since 2008 and to see one growing, is a big sign of confidence in the area.” Poole believes the Okanagan Spring expansion will encourage other businesses to move to Vernon. “It shows investors that this is a a place to look at,” he said. Taking part in Tuesday’s announcement was Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA. “The brewery is already a local icon here in Vernon and the expansion will be a great boost to the community,” said Foster.
Brakes put on Vernon Racing Days this summer RICHARD ROLKE
Morning Star Staff
A Vernon tradition won’t be getting out of the gates. There won’t be any horse races at Kin Race Track this summer. “It’s disappointing for us because we are the stewards of horse racing in Vernon,” said Ed Woolley, Okanagan Equestrian Society spokesperson. Four races had been planned for July and August. The decision to scrap races is a result of the society being notified of electrical issues in the grandstand earlier this year. “A large number of things they want done are not safety issues,” said Woolley of the City of Vernon, which owns the track. “The amount of money to fix those things will wipe out our reserves and the reserves
are needed to fight litigation with the city.” In 2010, the society was evicted from the property, which is owned by the city and the Regional District of North Okanagan (all titles are currently being transferred to the city). The society claims equestrian activities were guaranteed when most of the track was turned over to the city in 1964 for free. It also alleges the regional district ignored an agreement for lease renewals. Woolley says the society needs to focus on long-term access to the property. “We will take this year off and push forward with litigation if that’s necessary or negotiate with the city on repairs to the grandstand,” he said. “This situation is largely of the city’s making.” RDNO has not continued with an annual
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$10,000 maintenance grant to the society while litigation was underway. The society says the city should be providing the funds now that it is the sole owner of the site. Woolley doesn’t believe the society is contravening any agreements with the city if races don’t occur. “Taking one year off to address these issues is not a clear indication that horse racing is over. It will continue,” he said. City of Vernon officials insist they have not ordered the electrical upgrades in the grandstand. “The electrical issues are from the B.C. Safety Authority. It has locked out electrical services,” said Will Pearce, the city’s chief administrative officer. Pearce added that the provincial safety authority will not allow power to resume
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until it is satisfied with the upgrades. “The grandstand is the responsibility of the society and the city has expended dollars to repair the roof even though it didn’t have to do that.” The city is responsible for grading the track surface itself. In terms of an annual maintenance grant, Pearce also says that’s not under the city’s jurisdiction. “The city is prepared to meet its obligations as per the contract with the city (and the society) and how the society deals with the expired agreement with RDNO is up to the society,” he said. Pearce says the city will not be heavyhanded with the society because there are no races this summer. “If the society chooses not to run races, that’s up to it,” he said.
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