If you build it, they will come. Okay, we know it's a shameless plug from the movie Field of Dreams, but it speaks quite well to a major achievement here on the Coast.Last Saturday, residents passed a recreation referendum that will see a new pool constructed in Sechelt and a community centre built in Gibsons. The "yes" vote won out by 67 per cent, a resounding majority that should leave no doubts as to how the residents feel.This yes vote means progress for the Coast.Two other referendums held in recent years both failed. This time around, people have made the right choice: the choice to build much-needed facilities for the whole community to enjoy, the choice to welcome progress to the Coast, the choice for a better future.The ball is now in the court of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD). The SCRD has to give the service establishment and loan authorization bylaws fourth reading and final adoption. The process began Thursday, past our deadlines, as the SCRD board started discussions on the next steps in the process.But it may not be that simple.We also learned this week that the Sechelt Indian Band has plans to build its own recreation centre in Sechelt.This news is a surprise to us and to several people at the SCRD.Chief Stan Dixon said the band might decide to pull out of the regional recreation function, but that this won't have much effect on the overall funding of the project.We would like to believe Dixon, but you have to think that several directors with the regional district are going to be less than thrilled by this news.Dixon was part of the extensive discussions and negotiations held during the past year to work out a recreation plan, which all four local governments agreed upon.Why wasn't the band's rec centre discussed then? Why wait until after the results of the referendum are in before announcing the band's plans?We hope that directors will find a way to make this work. They've found a way to come together and agree on the referendum.Stay tuned - this isn't over yet.
