The on-again off-again relationship between the Tk’emlups Indian Band (TIB) and the Kamloops Exhibition Association (KXA) appears to be off again — for good.
A statement released by the TIB said the band has decided not to enter into a lease agreement with the KXA and will assume management and operational control of the exhibition grounds.
“We have received little support from outside governments to operate and maintain the agricultural and horse racing facilities at the Mt. Paul Centre,” said TIB CHief Shane Gottfriedson in the statement.
“The leadership of the TIB is mindful of its commitments and financial responsibilities to our membership and to our strategic objectives.”
Exactly what the move means for the exhibition grounds and the KXA in the future is unclear.
Representatives from the TIB and KXA did not return calls as of KTW press deadline.
The decision by the TIB effectively puts an end to a tumultuous relationship between the band and the association.
In the fall of 2009, the KXA announced it was shutting its doors after a lease squabble with the TIB.
The dispute turned ugly as the TIB threatened to take the KXA to court for money the band believed it was owed, while the association vowed to find a new home and to never again work with the TIB.
But, only a couple months later, the two sides were back on the same horse, reaching a one-year agreement that lead to a full schedule of events in 2010 at the exhibition grounds.
At that time, the KXA said it was looking at two possible options to relocate, while the TIB was also putting a transition plan together for the exhibition grounds after 2010.
The Provincial Winter Fair was also one of the events hat at the KXA and TIB facility. The Fair is currently deciding where their 2011 event will be held.