June 09, 2021 - 8:00 AM A recently announced gravel pit proposed for the Joe Rich area east of Kelowna has galvanized that community more than any other in 30 years of living there, says resident Laurie Takoff. Dozens of dump trucks a day could pull out of the pit onto Highway 33 and it could supply about 10 per cent of the Central Okanagan’s annual gravel needs for the next 20 to 40 years. That can make it cheaper to build roads and concrete structures in the region, being that it’s only about 15 minutes from Costco. But it could also wreak havoc on Mission Creek, she says, the largest single source of water in Okanagan Lake and a major supplier of thousands of Black Mountain Irrigation District customers.
Saskatoon / 650 CKOM
Mar 1, 2021 3:43 PM
Protest organizer Nicole Hein holds a sign in front of Prairieland Park on March 1, 2021. (Brady Lang/650 CKOM)
A small protest drew honks of support under the overpass at the intersection of Lorne Avenue and Ruth Street in Saskatoon on Monday.
The group held picket signs to protest the cancellation of the 2021 Marquis Downs season, which was announced Thursday. Leading the group was Nicole Hein, an apprentice jockey in Saskatoon.
“I want to ride here, so I’m here sticking up for everybody,” she told 650 CKOM.
“It was the easy way out (for organizers to cancel the season). As I looked at the reasons behind why they cancelled, I thought, ‘These are invalid,’ and only people in the industry know that.”
Posted: Mar 01, 2021 6:00 AM CT | Last Updated: March 1
The Marquis Downs racetrack can be seen in this photo distributed by Prairieland Park. Leadership with Prairieland Park said they were still trying to make the 2021 season work three days before it was officially cancelled, but say costs and logistics associated with international jockey recruitment are some of the main factors behind the cancellation. (Supplied/Prairieland Park)
A Saskatoon city councillor says he s baffled by Prairieland Park s decision to cancel the 2021 horse-racing season at Marquis Downs, calling the organization s reasoning behind the decision a set of excuses.
Ward 1 Coun. Darren Hill, who has a background in the agriculture industry, says he was surprised by the recent news the 2021 racing season at Marquis Downs was a no-go.