The facility would be located next to Okanagan College off Hwy. 97.
Image Credit: SOURCE/ RDNO
March 28, 2013 - 9:14 AM
Advance polling stations for the proposed Vernon sports facility were busy Wednesday, with a total turnout of around 1,225 ballots cast.
The Schubert Centre saw 870 voters, the Coldstream municipal office 240, and the regional district office 115.
The question voters are answering is whether or not they support borrowing up to $7.5 million over 20 years to build a sports facility beside Okanagan College. The regional district says the complex will address Vernon's lack of a regulation size track, and enable the city to host large sporting events.
Aside from the capital costs, the facility will also have an annual cost to operate and maintain it. These costs have been estimated at $40,000 for site maintenance, which includes natural turf for one of the fields, garbage, security, shower room and bleachers. The maintenance for a second, artificial turf field is estimated at $11,000.
If the results of the referendum on April 6th, 2013 support borrowing the money to construct this facility, the money will be borrowed over 20 years and will cost $15 / year for an average residential property in the Greater Vernon area.
For those that didn't make it out Wednesday, there's a another advance poll being held April 3rd at the Schubert Centre and Coldstream and RDNO offices. General voting day is April 6 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Vernon Recreation Centre, Coldstream Elementary, BX Elementary and Ellison Elementary.
All Greater Vernon residents 18 and over are eligible to vote. They are reminded to bring two pieces of acceptable ID, one with a signature and the other proving residency. If you do not have ID showing residency, you must still provide two pieces of ID, one with signature, and must make a solemn declaration of residency.
More information can be found here.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013