Tough SOEC Questions

Not everyone is excited about the proposed South Okanagan Events Centre.

A group called 'The Coalition for an Affordable Public Events Centre' is holding a public meeting next week to get a different point of view out to the public.

CUPE local president Carolae Donoghue sent out a letter to all union members asking them and their families to vote 'no' on all ballot questions regarding the SOEC. The letter, which came out on August 23, is the first time the union has publicly stated its opposition to the financing of the SOEC. They are concerned that the SOEC may be too expensive and are also worried about the proposed private-public partnership with an American based company selected to run the SOEC.

On August 25, Mayor Jake Kimberley, MLA's Bill Barisoff and Rick Thorpe announced that the Provincial Government will contribute $40 million to the project. That means the average tax payer will see about a three dollar increase on their taxes for the next three years.

The public meeting will be held at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Wednesday, September 6 at 7 pm.