Local government leaders were in Victoria Monday seeking assistance with funding shortfalls for the future Gibsons ice-based community centre and Sechelt aquatic centre. The projects are roughly $4.5 million short, including deferred aspects of the centres' design plans, which could be added on later.
Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) chair John Rees and administrator Doug Holmes, Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk and Coun. Chris Koopmans, Sechelt Mayor Cam Reid and Sechelt Indian Band Chief Stan Dixon presented the projects to Community Services Minister Ida Chong. Holmes said the ministry's response was that there are no grant programs existing now that would apply to the projects. However, the project could compete for a piece of a potential provincial budget surplus once its amount is determined at the end of the fiscal year.
"The seed's been planted," Holmes said. "No commitments have been made at this time." Communication will continue with their contacts in Victoria over how best to phase the construction of the buildings depending on what grants would be coming up.
"If we don't get anything, it won't be for lack of trying," Holmes said.
Federal money is also being pursued. Advisory committees have been meeting regularly and a design charrette will take place soon for the Gibsons facility. The Advisory Committee Community Centre (ACCC) had its first meeting Tuesday with the project manager and architect on the design and budget.
The SCRD's financing of the borrowed funds, in addition to materials, which Construction Aggregates will donate, reduces the shortfall from $5.4 million to $4.5 million, Holmes said.
Gibsons Area Community Centre Society (GACCS) member Peter Moonen told the SCRD community services committee Jan. 19 that GACCS has had bi-weekly fundraising meetings over the past month and a half. "Several individuals and businesses have said yes, we're in," Moonen said.
GACCS is preparing a fundraising strategy for both facilities, Moonen said, and is working to ensure the facilities end up being what people voted for in last year's referendum.
The SCRD has a new project co-ordinator, who will be providing regular updates to the board. The community services committee received the first report Jan. 19. The report says geotechnical work has begun at both sites for water, sewer connections and fire protection. It also outlines the various meetings taking place and potential funding opportunities. The Gibsons traffic study is approved so zoning can go ahead. Signs for the projects should be going up at the sites in the next few weeks. Discussions have also begun on operating budgets.
