Editor:
June 21, I visited the information booth set up by SCRD at Connor Park on the proposed plan for a new Halfmoon Bay Hall at Connor Park. There were nice architect’s concept sketches, and there was a map showing the locations of other SCRD meeting halls.
I thought, surely there must be a business plan for the Connor Park site. I asked a staff person and was told there isn’t a business plan.
Such a plan would contain analysis of need, expected utilization, what other facilities are available, and their utilization rates, projected revenues, operating costs, and so forth.
With respect to the availability of current facilities, here is a list of just some of meeting facilities in the “catchment area” from Sechelt to Madeira Park.
In Sechelt: Seaside Centre, Seniors’ Centre, Rockwood Lodge, Sechelt Art Gallery, Davis Bay community hall, Sunshine Coast Ice Arena, Blue Ocean golf clubhouse, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 140, Botanical Garden in West Sechelt.
In Madeira Park: Community Hall, Pender Harbour School of Music, The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 112.
In Halfmoon Bay: Coopers Green Hall (which will most likely continue in some form). In addition, there are restaurants, resorts, churches and schools that offer various meeting/activity facilities. The shíshálh Nation also has facilities serving the community.
Is there really a need for a new hall at Connor Park? It would be comforting to know that a proper business analysis is done by the SCRD before spending taxpayers’ money. Maybe the money available would be better spent refurbishing and updating the existing Coopers Green building.
John Hansen
Halfmoon Bay
