MARDI GRAS | Vernon Winter Carnival gets set to put on city’s biggest party of the year [A10]
Morning gStar
The
Friday, January 15, 2016
P R O U D L Y
S E R V I N G
O U R
N O R T H
O K A N A G A N
w w w. v e r n o n m o r n i n g s t a r. c o m
C O M M U N I T I E S
F O R
2 7
Y E A R S
2013 CHEVROLET IMPALA ONLY 26,510 KMS!
STK# 15-423A
$
*PLUS DOC FEE & TAXES.
13,900
BANNISTER
4703 - 27th St. VERNON • 250-545-0606
*
GM DL#9133
Kin track talks continue
EYE ON THE SKY
RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff
LISA VANDERVELDE/MORNING STAR
Isaiah Osborn, seven, looks through his telescope as he gets some tips from members of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada at the Okanagan Science Centre Saturday.
Welcome mat extends south RICHARD ROLKE
“We want to look at the U.S. marketplace.”
Morning Star Staff
A plunging Canadian dollar has tourism officials in Vernon revisiting their marketing strategy. While much of the city’s focus has been on promoting the community in the Lower Mainland, there could be a shift to visitors from across the border as the exchange rate works to their advantage. “In 2016, we will look to broaden our horizons,” said Kevin Poole, economic development manager. “We want to look at the U.S. marketplace and encourage them to come to Vernon.” Part of that process could possibly include attending events such as a golf show in Seattle. The focus on the U.S. comes as a traditional source of tourists, Alberta, is challenged econom-
ically because of turmoil in the oil and gas sector. “The longer it goes on there, it’s not good for us, especially with tourism,” said Poole. “Those jobs provide them with dollars to spend time in our community.” Final figures for the city’s hotel room tax aren’t compiled for 2015, but there were records set in September and October. Those funds go towards marketing. Elsewhere on the economic front, the city
VERNONTOYOTA.COM
250-545-0687 3401 - 48TH Ave Vernon
DL# 30382
VISIT US AT
— Kevin Poole
issued $110 million in building permits in 2015, up from $92 million in 2014. Last year was the second best year on record for commercial permits. Among the building permits issued were $23.6 million for B.C. Hydro on Kalamalka Lake Road. In terms of residential, a demolition permit has been issued for the former Kal Tire property on 48th Avenue, which will be redeveloped into seniors housing and commercial units. There is also a $12 million building permit for residential housing on the Bennett parking lot on 29th Avenue. “It’s a major investment in downtown and it will change the landscape of downtown,” said Poole. The city sold the Bennett lot to the developer for $1.8 million.
CONGRATULATIONS To Kirsten Carrick, SALESPERSON OF THE MONTH for December!
Little is being said about a plan to end a protracted legal dispute. City of Vernon representatives met with the Okanagan Equestrian Society Tuesday to discuss the future of the Kin Race Track site. “We’re trying to come to a solution,” said Mayor Akbal Mund. Options to resolve the issue exist but no details are being provided. “Both sides offered their positions on how to resolve the issue,” said Ed Woolley, Ed Woolley s o c i e t y spokesperson. The society has been pursuing legal action against the city and the Regional District of North Okanagan to use the property since a 2010 eviction. Some city and regional district officials have stated they would like the site designated for other recreational activities. Proposed resolutions for the dispute will be discussed at the society’s annual general meeting Saturday. “It’s probably not the end of the process. It may be the beginning,” said Woolley. Mund would not comment on how optimistic he is about the issue being settled. “It will depend on how the parties see the proposal,” he said. Woolley is also being cautious about the situation. “Both sides want it to go away but both sides are somewhat handcuffed in what they can do to make it go away,” he said of legal and legislative factors.
KIRSTEN’S PICK OF THE WEEK 2016 TOYOTA
COROLLA CE
$
THATS LIKE
LEASE FROM
78
*
SEMI MONTHLY
36
$
*
PER WEEK!!
*See dealer for details, OAC. 2016 Toyota Corolla CE, Lease from 3.99%, over 60 month term, with $3,595 down, equal semi monthly payments of $238, total lease obligation $32,145, based on 20,000 KMS per year.
See Our Ad On Pg.
A11