The qathet Regional District (qRD) has secured grant funding up to $4,199,082 through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream to construct an attached addition to the Northside Community Recreation Centre, located at 9656 Larson Road.

 

Based on a feasibility study, the new building is estimated to cost between $4 million and $5.7 million. $569,184 of the Northside Recreation non-statutory reserve are planned to be used to help offset project costs. The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream runs on a cost share basis with Canada and British Columbia combining to contribute 73.33 per cent of the eligible project cost and the qRD required to contribute the remaining 26.67 per cent, plus any overruns. To proceed with collecting the project funding, the qRD will need to borrow up to $1.1 million from the Municipal Finance Authority.

The Northside Recreation Loan Authorization Bylaw, which is required in order to borrow funds for the project from the Municipal Finance Authority, details the loan amounts, payments and term of the loan. The bylaw is currently at third reading and has received provincial statutory approval. Financing debt payments are proposed over a 30 year period to minimize the annual impact on residential tax rates.

 

Pending final costing, which includes building construction and the amount of debt financing required, annual debt payments are projected between $34,000 and $69,000. The annual debt payments will result in an increase in the residential tax rate per $100,000 of property value for all property owners within the Northside Recreation service area. The next step for the project and in accepting the funds will be for the qRD to seek approval from the community to commit to borrowing up to $1.1 million.

 

Assent voting, occurs when, a question is asked officially in the form of a vote, conducted in the same manner as an election. The Community Charter and the Local Government Act both require that local governments obtain approval of the electors before proceeding to implement certain initiatives or decisions. The assent voting process is outlined in the s. 85 of the Community Charter, and Part 3, Part 4 and s. 269 of the Local Government Act.

Questions or concerns regarding this project can be directed to Michelle Jones, Corporate Officer, via email at administration@qathet.ca or by calling 604-485-2260.