The viciousness of the Mac Island park versus disc golf course argument caught the mayor of Kamloops by surprise.

Ken Christian says there was lots of opportunity for people to give their two cents to both council and the parks department.

Christian says council is always accused of not listening but he notes there is a big difference not listening and not agreeing.

“And I think what happens is people have a decision go a way that they didn’t anticipate it and they accuse us of not listening or the Parks Department of having a pre-determined plan. I think we have to get past that. The level of civil discourse in Kamloops is kind of sinking a bit. We have to work hard to keep this about the facts and keep the emotion out of it.”

Christian says the whole discussion around the disc golf course became unexpectedly heated.

“Unfortunately with this particular situation it dragged on quite a while. Certainly the numbers of emails, and very rude emails, that were received by myself and other members of council I think were indicative of the fact that we really need to step up the level of public discourse a bit.”

Council voted to have a multi-use park on Mac Island including the disc golf course.

So what happens now?

“Going forward we need to find the money to do that. It would be a three year phase in.”

He says year one would deal with the fencing while amenities would be introduced over the following two years.