The public can give its input into the Gibsons ice-based community centre design at an open house Feb. 27 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Gibsons council chambers, project co-ordinator Brian Storrier told Coast Reporter this week.
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors called a special board meeting during the Feb. 17 community services committee meeting to move the recreation centres' designs to the next steps. Both the Sechelt aquatic centre and Gibsons ice-based community centre facilities' design drawings will show the full design for each facility, including any aspects that may be phased in later. The aquatic advisory committee's approved design will now go to the architect's drawing board. In a report to the board, Storrier said the construction of the Sechelt aquatic centre could begin in April.
The board also decided the Gibsons community centre advisory committee's recommendations will now go to a design charrette for input.
The design charrette will be an intensive session where the architect and project manager will meet with invited stakeholders and public representatives to go through various aspects of the design, according to Storrier. The charrette is scheduled for March 1 and 2 at the SCRD building, by invitation.
The charrette results will be brought back to the board for final approval. Storrier said the board is strongly considering an NHL-sized ice arena instead of international sized and building the entire facility in one phase.
Also at the Feb. 17 meeting, the Gibsons Area Community Centre Society (GACCS) presented its fundraising strategy for both facilities to the board during the closed, in-camera portion.
At Tuesday's council meeting in Gibsons, Coun. Chris Koopmans expressed his disappointment with what he perceived was a lack of communication between Storrier and the Town of Gibsons.
Koopmans cited a letter sent to the SCRD in late January with 11 points council wanted addressed concerning the community centre.
"When we hear conflicting information about where the community centre will be placed, I get concerned that this council is not being heard," said Koopmans. "I would like to urge our representative at the board to ensure these points are being addressed."
SCRD administrator Doug Holmes arrived at the meeting on another matter, but spoke to the issue when asked by Mayor Barry Janyk.
Holmes suggested that if council wished specific information and comment, they should adopt a resolution to the SCRD board.
After more debate between Janyk and the other councillors, council passed a motion asking the SCRD and design team to make a presentation to council with regards to location of the community centre. Council also passed another motion for a special meeting of council to be held at 3 p.m. on Monday during the open house in Gibsons as the time for the meeting with the design team.- With files from Ian Jacques
