Q's addressed from NC Multicentre Referendum Outcome

Courtesy of the City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District:

The outcome of the referendum held on Nov. 9 has raised questions from residents who live or own property within the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks boundary. Below is a list of the top four questions currently being asked.

1.       What happens to the money that has been secured through donations and grants to date? The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and the City of Quesnel will be working with our funding partners and project donors and will try to secure as many of the grants and other contributions as possible that have been committed to the multi-centre project.  Although there is no multi-centre project today, those donations and grants could remain in the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks budget for future capital projects within the region.

2.       What is the process for getting refunds for those donations eligible for a refund? Donors to the project who chose not to receive a tax deductible receipt are eligible to receive a refund. According to Revenue Canada, if someone receives a tax deductible receipt, a refund cannot be provided. The CRD and City are currently working on the process to efficiently reimburse those donors eligible for a refund. Notification to donors will be issued soon.

3.       Can you still make a donation?  We are not accepting cash donations at this time while coordinating the reimbursement for eligible refunds.  

4. What happens next?  The North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (which consists of the four Cariboo Regional District northern Directors and City of Quesnel Council members) held its regular meeting on Tuesday Nov. 12 and committed to holding a strategic planning session early in 2014. The Committee will review all aspects of the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Service. A process will be set up to communicate with user groups, stakeholders and residents who reside or own property within the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks boundaries as we consider next steps and options for recreation infrastructure replacement.

“The Cariboo Regional District’s northern directors will continue to work with Quesnel City Council to investigate cost efficient options for the replacement of our aging recreation infrastructure,” stated CRD Vice Chair Ted Armstrong. “We will be seeking input and feedback from our residents to ensure we pursue the option which best suits the needs of our community.”

“Infrastructure for recreation, arts and cultural needs in our community will require going back to the stakeholders and taxpayers to determine our next steps through the Joint Planning Committee,” says Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “Federal Infrastructure Grant Programs available to local governments across Canada, generally come out in March or April.”