KIB/KXA sign one-year deal

KIB/KXA sign one-year deal                                                                            

BY CAM FORTEMS
DAILY NEWS STAFF REPORTER 
 

The shows will go on, at least for another year.

Kamloops Exhibition Association and Tk'emlups Indian Band have signed off on a deal that will see agricultural events continue at Mount Paul Centre.

The two sides held a joint press conference Monday afternoon to announce they have come to a deal. It will see events
such as the winter fair, rodeo and horse racing continue.

The association announced in October it was abandoning Mount Paul Centre after the band slapped a $100,000 annual tax bill, in addition to a $100,000 lease fee, beginning last year.

Terms of the new deal will see all revenues kept by the band for the 2010 year, in the order of $100,000. In return, KXA Fred Pain said the band cleared the association of its debts.

“It's a settlement and partnership to move on for 2010,” Pain told reporters and association members gathered on the grounds.

Tk'emlups Indian Band chief Shane Gottfriedson acknowledged the business dispute had escalated but credited both sides for coming to an accord.

“I'm confident we'll continue to move forward to establish a longer relationship than one year.”

He also said tough times have hit the regional economy, particularly ranching, and compromises had to be made.

“We're going to look at a meaningful relationship that looks to the future.”

Pain said the deal also allows the association to retain and move about $1 million worth of assets, from equipment to stalls, to a new location. It will spend the next year looking for a new home for an agricultural complex.

“There's one (site) up the hill and another in Rayleigh. Next year will be a planning year and we'll move forward.”
Spring training for racing horses will be 2010's first activity on the grounds, Pain said.

The Provincial Winter Fair for 4-H is confirmed for 2010 and the association is informing other partner events about its one-year deal.

“We're asking all our events to come back.”