Race track off to court

Photo: Darren Handschuh

And they're off....to court.

The battle over a prime piece of Vernon real estate is in the hands of lawyers, confirmed Ed Woolley, of the Okanagan Equestrian Society.

Just months ago, the society and the City of Vernon had been trying to work out their differences.

“Proposals were made back and forth by each side but we were unable to reach an agreement,” said Woolley. “We were sufficiently far apart that it really didn't seem to be a fruitful way to go about it.”

Woolley said there would be a trial “down the road, approximately in a year's time.”

"The city made two financial offers to the equestrian society, both of which were turned down by the society," said Tanya Laing Gahr, city spokesperson. "The city's solicitor is seeking a court date and has assumed responsibility for the process."

"Everybody's been waiting for this to be resolved," said Vernon Mayor Akbal Mund. "I'm glad we'll be coming to a resolution."

Mund said going to court "after much conversation between the two parties is the only way to do it."

The two sides have been at an impasse for years.

Society member and past president Robert White said in January that the issue was giving the city a “black eye” and needed to be resolved.

“Horse racing is the glue to this whole thing,” White said at the time. “Vernon loves horse racing, it's one of the best places in all of the Interior.”

Prior to the grandstands burning in 2014, the society held only a handful of race days each year.