Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:
The proposed expansion for the South Cariboo Recreation Centre is moving to a referendum (the technical term is an assent vote) on June 9, 2018. The Regional District Board endorsed the recommendation of the South Cariboo Joint Committee and approved the necessary administrative details to conduct the assent vote.
The referendum follows an extensive public consultation process and survey that concluded in March 2018. In order for the proposed expansion to move forward, the CRD has to conduct a referendum to get the authority to borrow money for the project.
“We realize that there are mixed opinions about the proposed expansion project; that was very clear through our public meetings and survey,” said working group Co-Chair Margo Wagner. “With the even split of feedback we received, we want to have a referendum on the project so that the voters can truly have their say on the project.”
General voting day will by Saturday, June 9, 2018. The four general voting locations will be at the 108 Mile Elementary School, Forest Grove Community Hall, Lone Butte Community and District of 100 Mile House Council Chambers. Two advance polls will take place at the District of 100 Mile House Council Chambers on Wednesday, May 30 and Monday, June 4. All polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
“We encourage residents and property owners within the South Cariboo Recreation Service Area to be informed, take some time to read all the resources posted on the CRD website and come out to vote,” urges Ralph Fossom, Co-Chair of the working group. “Your vote matters. Let us know whether you want to see this proposed expansion move forward.”
The project vision is to build a flexible, multi-use facility for year-round active living. The concept design includes a turf field, elevated walking track and a hard-court gymnasium. Additionally, the expansion would integrate with the current recreation centre facility and curling club. The estimated cost for the project is $14.6 million.
Through the referendum, the CRD is asking permission to borrow $10 million for the project costs. They will look for grants and corporate sponsorships to cover the remaining $4.6 million. To pay for the construction and operating costs of the project, residents would see a residential tax rate increase of up to $65 per $100,000 on the assessed value of land and improvements. The current residential taxation rate for South Cariboo recreation services is about $55 per $100,000.
The project working group consists of representatives from School District No. 27, Community Recreation, South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce, Age-Friendly Society and elected officials from the Cariboo Regional District and District of 100 Mile House. They have championed the project since the beginning, working with the CRD and HCMA Architecture + Design from Vancouver, B.C. to develop a concept design for the expansion and then assisting with the public consultation.
Located in 100 Mile House, the South Cariboo Recreation Centre is owned by the Cariboo Regional District and funded through the South Cariboo Recreation service, which covers portions of Electoral Areas G, H and L and the District of 100 Mile House. The CRD has a contract with Canlan Ice Sports to manage the property and day-to-day operations.
For more information about the project or upcoming referendum, visit the project page on the Cariboo Regional District website at cariboord.ca under South Cariboo Recreation. Follow the project’s Facebook page at facebook.com/SCRCExpansion. Residents can also contact the CRD’s Manager of Community Services, Darron Campbell, at 1-800-665-1636.
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