I was made aware of an article in the Citizen this week and thought I should be given the chance to share the facts regarding these allegations, as I am afraid of the intent of two of the partners involved are of ill-intent and are trying to get this facility shut down for personal benefit.
Please see facts below, and then feel free to reach out, as if they are successful, over 50 years of local volunteer work and investment will be destroyed, as well as the loss of this amazing facility which benefits thousands of BC and Alberta residents.
On December 22, 2015, I decided forming a new partnership would be best for the facility as I was moving from the area. Here I allowed the three other locals to purchase 25% of the shares (each) for only $65,000 for a facility I had invested well over $1.5 million for the benefit of the community and motorsports participants in Western Canada. I was moving and wanted locals to be stewards of the property in my absence and to help continue the upkeep and improvements. These three were chosen as they were current participants and sponsors of the facility.
At that time, and continuing forward, I was still taking care of the operations of the track at the direction and with input of the long-standing caretakers, Mike and Misty Wiebe, and our partners at Nitro Society, including Andy Closkey, President (the “lease tenants”) who lease the facility and utilize it to hold regular events for the community. I am afraid the other shareholders have also evicted Mike and Misty who have taken incredible care of the property for over seven years. This was against my wishes as well and has left the property unprotected and unkept at this time.
Mike Weinhardt has been the lead person for the property for many years and he and his wife, Misty, have invested countless hours on upkeep and improvements and run “day-to-day” operations.
In 2021 and 2022, Andy and Mike had expressed their concern that the return lane had become so damaged from roots and frost heaves they may not be able to hold events much longer.
Mike had suggested the selective logging that was going to be required along both sides of the track and return lane could be increased around the 135 acres to help fund the return lane repaving project, as a professional had determined select logs had to be removed to prevent further damage to the existing track and the new return lane when replaced. The existing return lane was heavily damaged by the roots of these trees alongside it and the track. Mike had also volunteered to help with the clean-up that would be required after the selective logging, and I had sponsors to donate the equipment needed with only fuel costs to the project.
Mike had also taken direction and the initiative to obtain quotes on the return lane. Mike can attest the funds for this were always earmarked for the return lane replacement/ repairs. Several quotes were obtained at approx. $200,000 - $240,000 I recall.
This project was brought up with the partner group in spring of 2022 or earlier, at which point I mentioned if local donations or sponsors could not be found to cover the difference in cost for the repaving, the partnership group would each have to contribute a share to the company. Rod Belsham was having issues with both the society and the caretakers previously and had asked repeatedly to be bought out over the past 1.5 years. John Pallouci notified the group by stating “he and Rod had come to an agreement to buy Rod out for $75,000, he had provided some materials/ work in consideration of this share purchase and they were having paperwork drawn up”
When made aware of this, I instructed John he could not buy out Rod alone, and the company would have to buy in the shares and split amongst the three remaining partners. I suggested I would also buy out Doug Shaw if he was agreeable, as then we would have a 50/50 partnership, which would allow me to always protect the track and its best interest.
I met with Doug in West Kelowna shortly after where he agreed to sell his shares to me/ the partnership for $75,000. Paperwork for both was to be created. All are very busy individuals, it was left with John’s lawyer who had “started the process” we were informed, and would pass on to Cliff Shields, the corporate counsel who represents all four parties.
The remaining group of three continued with the plan to selectively log the property, with Mike contacting Canfor who provided a local contractor who specializes in this type of work. I spoke to this contractor one time only, on the phone, where I instructed him to ensure it “was a park-like” setting when complete and to only take those logs that were of a larger size and at Mike’s direction, of which some were blocking the starting lane from sun and causing debris on track, others blocked access to the lagoons, etc and those at the back of the property that could not be seen by those attending events.
He agreed and Canfor sent me paperwork to obtain a Timber Mark and the work was booked. The remaining “active” partners were all very aware of this work to be completed and we have several email communications as well as Mike’s meetings with them several times to explain the plan.
Once logging was finalized, Rod Belsham came to the group and asked who had authorized and where the money was going. I mentioned we had moved ahead with the work as discussed and planned, and as he had both a verbal agreement to be bought out and had received consideration, he was no longer involved in the day-to-day operation of the track, (Rod was never involved in the regular operations of this facility). Doug Shaw and John Pallouci were a little more involved, but Mike, Misty, Andy and I took care of all monthly operations for many years with no input from the others.
Rod and John now accused me of moving ahead without their approval and wanted the funds, when received, to be placed in an account where any of the four partners could access. I refused as they would not share their intent with the funds, and had the funds placed in trust with Evan Cooke of Eyeford Partners, and designated for Nitro and the return lane repaving. Proof of Canfor statements were provided when requested.
In a subsequent meeting I was devastated to hear, Rod Belsham and John would rather see the facility closed and developed, which they would now benefit heavily from of course. Doug Shaw has stated to me he would not agree to this, as he and I want this track protected forever for the community and participants. I clarified the funds are held in trust to be used for the track improvements or can be transferred to Nitro immediately if all can agree.
I have also asked the remaining partners repeatedly if I could please buy them out at a reasonable value and then ensure the track is forever protected from this type of “hostile takeover” which could result in its closing. John Pallouci then asked for “$1.5 Million for his 25%.”
You will see I have also repeatedly mentioned I would happily donate the park it to the city or regional district if I could be assured it would forever be kept a motorsports facility for future generations.
We have communications over the past year to prove the facts above, and I’m afraid once it was determined these two partners could instead benefit from both the logging money and a possible sale of the property, greed has become the driving factor here, not what is in the best interest of Price George and the motorsports community in Western Canada.
I appreciate you taking the time to review the facts above, and please feel free to reach out to validate any of these.
I am also thoroughly disgusted with the behaviour of these two partners, Rod Belsham and John Pallouci, who would “allege” I was keeping these funds for any other purpose. They are in trust for the track/ Nitro’s use. I am afraid they want to take these funds for their own benefit and this latest tactic is some way to have me removed so they can sell the property for personal gain.
For these two to allege I am withholding $165,000 for any other purpose is egregious and their spreading of such rumours is disgusting. I continue what I started in Prince George, giving back in a huge way to local communities in the Okanagan, Lower Mainland and the North, with over $500,000 alone donated this year already (not even time to update my websites!) and millions over the past years. I wish I could say these two have a similar giving nature. I certainly do not need $165,000 that should be re-invested in the property.
Please give this the coverage it deserves as I don’t feel the media has always been as supportive as it should be for people like myself who work tirelessly to give back when I could have retired years ago instead of helping others.
Brent Marshall
Kelowna
