Tourist Booth Decision

Perhaps Vernon City Council would be wise to reconsider their intention to abandon the two existing Tourist Info Booths in favor renovating the city owned building just north of the Civic Arena on 39^th ave.

Public support for Council’s decision on this matter has been non-existent. Response at the recent public hearing by those potential most affected by the change traffic flow was adamant in the negative. The expressed concerns should be enough to influence Council to back up a bit on this issue but I believe there other important uncertainties to consider when considering the proposed site for tourist traffic.

Highway 97 through Vernon is particularly busy during the tourist season. Our visitors will have to make a left hand turn on to 39^th to reach the new center. Does the existing left turn lane have the capacity to magazine the RVs and trailer traffic that could consider stopping at the new location? What will be the effect of a new left a new left hand turn light ($140,000) on a vacation congested route through town?  Will the province approve the traffic control change for the highway as it passes through town? There is another question that needs answering. Are we really putting our best foot forward with this new location?

The City proposes to renovate the older single story cinder brick building ($300,000) to serve the tourist needs for our area. This building is located on the north end of the same block of the Civic Arena adjacent to an unpaved parking lot next to the railway right of way. In spite of positive future plans at the moment the location remains one of the most unappealing blocks in the downtown:  certainly not an ideal spot to invite tourists to spend time if we are trying to make a good impression on our visitors.

 Finally the fall referendum on the future of the civic arena adds uncertainty to the development of the block. It would be prudent for Council to wait and see what the people decide and proceed only if the proposed location proves indeed appropriate.   It would be great if they have really listened to the public input.

Cheers Shawn Lee a Vernon Taxpayer Blog