An outdoor amphitheatre is  proposed for land adjacent to Okanagan College in Vernon, BC by a group called the Summer Festival Society.  The proposed location is a steep sloping ravine situated beside a large, establised residential area.  The land is currently zoned "Institutional" and owned by Okanagan College.   The society proposing the amphitheatre has not considered the impact a 5000 person venue will have on the surrounding neighborhood (noise, traffic congestion, security) or the fragile environment that will be damaged.

The Summer Festival Society appears to want to add to the rich cultural experiences we already enjoy in Vernon.  As a summer destination for thousands of visitors, we know the view of Kalamalka Lake is extraordinary.  We also know that similar summer amphitheatres create many challenges for their host communities.  Traffic can be snarled for hours as patrons try to park,  noise bylaw enforcement during concerts adds to local taxes and ultimately the reason people chose this location for their home is lost.  Summer visitors come and go- permanent residents live here all year round.

Vernon and area has sites better suited to the location of an amphitheatre if the community wishes to have one built in the future.  This is a significant project requiring extensive consultation with all of the stakeholders in the area. We are not opposed to expanding our already vibrant arts community through a thoughtful process that picks a location suitable to everyone.

The proposed location is not suitable and planning for this site should cease immediately.  Find a new location for the amphitheatre! 

Check out our website: http://findanewlocation.weebly.com

Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/findanewlocation

Contact us: stop_kal_bowl@yahoo.ca or joan_rowan@shaw.ca