DESERT PARK, Osoyoos A Jewel in the Rough

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Samantha Phillips
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1 DESERT PARK, Osoyoos A Jewel in the Rough Don t it always seem to go That you don t know what you ve got Till it s gone They paved paradise And put up a parking lot. Joni Mitchell

2 Overview Property consists of 62 acres on the west bench of Osoyoos Has been an equestrian facility for over 40 years Within the town of Osoyoos and currently operated by the town

3 Current State Aging facilities in need of upgrades Capital funds required for construction of new infrastructure

4 Why keep the equine facilities? 37,000 Horse owners in B.C. 90,000 Horses in B.C. Horse owners spend over $400 Million per year One of the earliest spring training sites in Western Canada Equine tourism would be mainly in Spring and Fall, traditional low season Multi-use facility would draw people from a wide area

5 A New Vision

6 Racetrack 5/8 mile dirt track Horse racing and training Chuck wagon training track

7 Stadium Infield Grey water disposal Soccer and baseball fields Stadium jumping, Dressage Outdoor music, car and RV shows

8 Infield Track for training, meets or pleasure jogging Existing stands Room for other track and field sports

9 Eventing and Cross Country 13 acres of trails Adjacent gravel pit could be developed Adjacent to crown and town lands contain 100 s km of trails suitable for endurance events

10 Antelope Brush Area Maintain area as natural area Designate and sign trails for horses, dogs and walking Currently used for cross country jumping

11 Recreational Equine Use Fenced area for equine events requiring soft ground Barrel racing course Gymkhana, 4H events Horse play days

12 Western Events Outdoor arena training area for equine events Potential future site for Oliver rodeo

13 Multiplex Construction of a 120 x 225 multiplex Paid for by the new operator

14 Multiplex Year round cutting, reining, roping etc Indoor music festivals, dog shows Fairs, markets, meetings, golf shows etc

15 Recreation Center Development of Racino, entertainment centre and restaurant

16 Central to NW Equine Facilities

17 Business Model Public/ Private partnership Operated by Rocky Mountain Turf Club BC. Ltd. A facility for all interior BC slot machines to provide operating funding for the facility Economically Sustainable Facility

18 Why a Racino now? Cost of operating the equine complex too high for a small town No government grants needed Self funding including funds for capital projects Over 800 bus loads of people use Osoyoos to cross into the USA looking for different experiences (over 32,000 people/ yr) Proven Racino model and proven operator Current facilities gradually deteriorate

19 RMTC in Lethbridge Expansion from 1995 to present: Live Race Days: 18 to 50 Total Purses: $220,000 to $2.7 million Minimum Purse: $600 to $4,100 Avg. Daily Purse: $8,200 to $52,000 Handle: $700,000 to $3.0 million Stakes Race: $8,000 to $800,000 Licensed Horsemen: 200 to 1000

20 A Dying Industry? Spruce Meadows has grown to $4.7MM in prizes / year

21 Economic Impact 54% of economic activity occurs in rural areas away from event centres. Horse racing alone accounts for $123 MM of direct and indirect benefit in rural Alberta Benefits will spread throughout the OMMA region

22 Support Osoyoos held a referendum on the racino concept and in high voter turnout, 89% voted in favor. Received over 400 letters of support compared to 184 letters for Hastings Downs Interest by the Canadian Eventing Committee in developing training facility

23 Support

24 What can you do? Send letters of support to Town of Osoyoos Talk to your MLA and tell them of your support Send a letter to BCLC and tell them your community supports a racino in Osoyoos

25 Feedback We strongly appreciate being able to watch the horse training related activities that take place at Desert Park and have really enjoyed past venues that have taken place on the grounds.

26 Feedback In regard to Desert Park becoming an Equestrian Multiplex; What a wonderful idea! BC is booming with quality horses and trainers and a facility such as this would continue to add to the growth of equestrian sport in BC. Having more facilities such as this planned one, would help draw outside of province competitors and clinicians, thereby adding to the financial viability.

27 Feedback On behalf of the Officials and Rules Committee of Canadian Eventing I would like to add our support for your new business plan to promote equestrian activity at the Desert Park Equestrian site in Osoyoos. Any development of sites to promote equestrian sport of any kind is a move forward and you are to be congratulated for the initiative.

28 Feedback I strongly agree with the proposal presented and feel it would really put Osoyoos on the map with diversified interests to attract all groups.it makes me very envious that this facility is in Osoyoos not Oliver. If you build it, they will come and are now waiting to.

29 Feedback I recently heard of your efforts to develop and/or expand the existing Desert Park Equestrian Center in Osoyoos. I would like to offer my enthusiastic support for this plan. I live in the US near Osoyoos and know of many people, including my children and myself, in this State who have participated in equestrian events (english and western disciplines) in the past at Desert Park.

30 Feedback As CEC s National Athlete Development chair, my committee is committed to the development of riders for the sport of eventing, from the grass roots level up to the introductory divisions of International competition. The tools of the trade are simple. Canada, and particularly western Canada requires experienced coaches and high quality courses for the development of its equestrian athletes. While coaches are portable and ship well across the continent, courses simply do not. Expansion and upgrading of the cross-country course at Desert Park for the purposes of continued competition or increased schooling opportunities would be of significance to event riders in BC & Alberta. National and International eventers are indebted to the town of Osoyoos for the commitment shown to the equestrian community in the past, and we wholeheartedly support the concept of further facility development at this site

31 Feedback have outlined in making this land available for multipurpose..and sharing in a variety of community interests..walking paths, riding paths, saving natural vegetation, soccer, baseball, etc. It is becoming very obvious that the next few years we are going to see a huge influx of people that will be looking for areas to explore and support. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a multipurpose indoor building to host these future interests...and do if from the position of how can we work this for the good of all?..and not just..what can it do for just our group.

32 Feedback I would like to 'voice' my support for Desert Park and the wonderful horse facility there. My family and I have been traveling to the southern Interior for many years - first to the Oliver International Horse Show, and for over 10 years to the Osoyoos event. This trip has always been a highlight of our year - we stay in local motels, we eat at many of the unique restaurants there, we support local businesses through purchases of souvenirs, clothing, etc. But the drawing card has always been the high calibre of horse competition. We have volunteered our help as well for many years and will continue to do so. Any revamping of the facilities especially the stabling, will be a welcome addition. Through our enjoyment we have encouraged many friends to make this trek from Vancouver Island, where we live, and the Lower Mainland.

33 Feedback There is nothing more valuable to its citizens than the community parks. The PNE has been leaving town for as long as I can remember, but personally I don't think the people of Vancouver would ever let it go, it would be like giving up Stanley Park. I know the community of Osoyoos is considerably smaller but its growing and wouldn't it be nice for the people of Osoyoos to develop something that serves all the public. Something for everyone. A special place for your children and grandchildren, and the tourists. We only come there twice a year so it may not have as much importance to me. I say the the 62 acre Public Park should remain and hope that you see the value in keeping it as such for the benefit of all, now and for the future. Osoyoos is so unique and beautiful, the Tuscany Valley of British Columbia. It would be such a shame too not respect and enhance what mother nature has already provided. As for the almighty dollar, well I can only see it encouraging more tourism and more development for Osoyoos. There's not a whole lot to do in Osoyoos remember.

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