Once again voters are being asked to determine the future of recreation on the Sunshine Coast.
This time, with the exception of Area A (Pender Harbour and Egmont) and the Islands Trust, all Coast residents will be asked to approve the construction, capital improvements, operation and maintenance of an aquatic centre in Sechelt and an ice-based community centre in Gibsons at a cost of $19,338,000. The referendum date is June 25.
A series of open houses that began June 1 will provide taxpayers with details on the facilities and the tax cost to individual taxpayers.
The aquatic centre is a similar concept to the facility that was narrowly defeated in the last recreation referendum. This plan has been tweaked to lower costs from $10 million to $8.5 million. The new centre, to be located on Block 7 next to the Sechelt Public Library, is designed to benefit both serious swimmers and people looking for relaxation.
The plans include a 25-metre lap pool, a therapeutic leisure pool and a small party/meeting room. An access ramp will ensure the facility will be practical for all residents regardless of their mobility.
According to Sue Jackel of the Citizens' Volunteer Group, a proponent of the referendum, further information will be available at the Sechelt Seniors Centre and Trail Bay Centre.
Jackel said the proposed recreation facilities would give all Coast residents a better range of choices to meet recreation and exercise needs.
"Seniors in particular will really appreciate all the features of the aquatic centre," she said.
Jackel added a "really strong 'yes' vote will help raise donations and grant funds after the referendum."
Another ad hoc group, a fund development committee, will go after provincial and federal money if the referendum is approved, she said.
The plan for the Gibsons facility is the result of extensive planning by the Gibsons and Area Community Centre Society (GACCS). An ad hoc group formed in 2002 and the following year began researching recreation facilities in other similar-sized communities. Next a society was formed and local residents were surveyed to determine their recreation wants and needs. On the basis of the surveys, a facility was designed based around an ice surface. The proposed centre also includes centres for seniors and youth, a fitness centre and squash/racquetball courts. In addition, a family centre and large meeting room are in the plans.
Open houses in Gibsons on the proposed complex this past winter were well attended. Many different age groups were represented at the public meetings. From seniors to school-aged children, the opinions expressed were largely in favour of the facility.
Local community advocate Cindy Buis echoed the general tone when she said the facility would draw more families to Gibsons. For others it would mean less travel to play hockey or other ice sports.
The thorny question of where to locate the new centre was settled by Gibsons council when it approved the Brothers Park site. All legal requirements have been satisfied to have the facility built there.
Added taxes to homeowners on the Coast will have two components based on the $19 million debt and operation costs for four facilities (the two new centres, the existing arena in Sechelt and the Gibsons pool.)
Spread over 20 years, the debt works out to $1.745 million per year and the operating costs to $1.85 million per year, equaling a total of $3.595 million added taxes per year.
The tax bill will be based on a flat parcel tax for all taxpayers of $128.63 per year to service the debt. An additional $79.92 per $100,000 yearly on the assessed value of improvements, i.e. buildings, on each taxed property will pay for the operation of the facilities. For taxpayers in areas that have been paying the operation costs of existing facilities, the new tax will replace what they paid previously.
Taxpayers wanting to know their new tax bill will be able to access the information by several methods.
They can attend one of the open houses advertised on page A25. Bring an assessment notice and assistance will be available to determine what the difference in taxes would be.
The SCRD also has the information up on its website, www.scrd.bc.ca. Follow the recreation links to calculate current taxes and what taxes would be if the referendum succeeds. Residents can also call the SCRD at 604-885-6825 and leave a message outlining the nature of their question. The line will be checked twice a day and calls will be returned promptly.
The SCRD is officially neutral on the question of more recreation facilities and its commitment to taxpayers is to answer questions accurately.
Voting day is June 25. Advance polls will be held June 15 and 17 at the SCRD office on Wharf Ave. in Sechelt and the Gibsons Town Hall on South Fletcher Rd. in Gibsons.
