KYC easy solution

There is a solution to KYC’s red ink situation that readily presents itself for serious consideration.
 
KYC has a number of options available that involve partnering with Tourism Kelowna to lease or to own part of the KYC building for use as its proposed visitor centre.
 
Tourism Kelowna has significant public financial resources that will assist KYC, including: a one time $500,000 grant for it's visitor centre from the province that could be restructured and applied to renovating the KYC building for visitor centre use; an annual $350,000 grant from the city for self promotion; and an annual amount of $3 million from the city’s hotel room tax. 
 
This public revenue stream allows Tourism Kelowna to either: lease part of the KYC building; partner with KYC in building ownership or, buy the building from KYC and leasing part of it back to the KYC.

These options allow KYC to find a white knight that has the support of Kelowna Council, the Chamber of Commerce and taxpayers. 
 
Importantly, these options allow Tourism Kelowna to receive some much needed public relations benefit over it’s unpopular choice of siting it’s proposed building on waterfront parkland and alienating the site from public uses. They also help Tourism avoid the label “The Gang of Thieves That Stole a Public Park.”
 
A civic election is looming, which makes Council receptive to being seen as a facilitator in this matter.
 
I would urge the KYC Board to speak with Council and Tourism Kelowna to explore these options further to everyone’s mutual benefit and to save waterfront parkland for public uses.

Richard Drinnan