The Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) is remaining tight-lipped about a proposed arena/recreation centre being considered for OIB land near Osoyoos.
On Thursday, Chris Bower, business development officer for the OIB Development Corporation (OIBDC), would only confirm that the OIBDC has hired a consultant to complete a feasibility study about a possible arena/recreation centre, but that study “isn’t close to being completed … we haven’t been given the final report.”
Bower did acknowledge that the OIBDC has been discussing constructing and operating its own arena/recreation centre “for the past two years” and has hired the consultant to complete a feasibility study, but said there’s not much to report beyond that.
“We’re waiting for the feasibility study to see what might work and what won’t work,” said Bower. “Obviously, it’s about the numbers.”
When asked about any possible partnership agreements with the Town of Osyooos or Town of Oliver, Bower said more than once “I won’t comment on that” and said no further action will be taken by the OIBDC until the feasibility study is completed.
When asked if an indoor aquatic centre might be part of any arena or recreation centre proposal, Bower again said that will be included in the feasibility study.
“The feasibility study will determine what will work the best,” he said. “Until we see the feasibility study and its recommendations, there’s not really much more we can comment on.”
The OIB raised eyebrows two weeks ago when it informed the Town of Oliver, Town of Osoyoos and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) that it would no longer will be a partner in a proposed indoor aquatic centre for the South Okanagan and will instead be moving forward with a plan to build a new recreation centre on OIB land in Osoyoos.
In a letter sent to town councils in Oliver and Osoyoos and the RDOS board, Myrah Baptiste, chief operating officer with the Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporation (OIBDC) wrote, “pllease be advised that the OIB will not participate in the terms of reference (TOR) for the pool feasibility study as proposed by the Town of Oliver, Town of Osoyoos, and the RDOS. “Moving forward, all references to OIB in the TOR which indicate our support for the collective’s pool feasibility study should be removed.”
The OlB planned to move forward with the new regional recreation complex on a site of our choosing, says Baptiste, in her letter.
“Specifically we will be investigating lands near Osoyoos adjacent to the Petro Canada or on our territorial lands between the two towns as we have discussed,” says the letter. “A key determining factor for any decision to place the site will be based on the economic business case and the extent to which the surrounding communities provide financial support.”
OIB Chief Clarence Louie told PentictonNow that he wouldn't comment and that Baptiste was the person to talk to about this project.
Osoyoos Mayor Sue McKortoff, who is exceptionally approachable and seldom refuses to answer questions on any subject, told PentictonNow that she would not be commenting on this issue until further discussion with council and senior staff.
“I have nothing to say ... I won't be commenting on this,” she said.
The Sun Bowl Arena in Osoyoos opened in 1974 and is home to the Osoyoos Coyotes of the Kootenay International Hockey League as well as the Sun Bowl Figure Skating Club and numerous teams in the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association.
The OIB council believes the new facility would be a significant new asset for the South Okanagan and will attract new residents and new businesses, said Baptiste’s letter.
“In the coming weeks, the OIB will be looking for support from all parties for our application for funding to various foundations and private philanthropists, various federal and provincial governments and Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) in the form of letters of support from those who are interested in moving forward collaboratively with us to complete the arena and pool feasibility studies and contribute proportionately to the costs of the project.”
Last December, Oliver and Osoyoos councils, the RDOS board and OIB announced they would be applying as partners for $100,000 in funding from the province’s Rural Dividend Fund to conduct a feasibility study relating to a proposed indoor aquatic centre for the South Okanagan.
The Town of Oliver officially sent an application to the provincial government seeking $100,000 from the Rural Dividend Fund to complete a feasibility study relating to a South Okanagan indoor aquatic centre.
It was revealed two months ago that the funding application had been rejected, however, Oliver and Osoyoos council, along with the RDOS, all announced they still intended to move forward with the feasibility study.
The final price tag and location for the indoor aquatic facility would be discussed and identified through the feasibility study process.
