Powell River Recreation Complex should be funded as a regional facility like Powell River General Hospital and our schools.
Everyone pays hospital taxes whether they never, rarely or frequently use the facility.
Everyone pays school taxes whether they have a child in the education system or not.
If the complex had been a regional facility since the beginning in 1975, its operation would be shared by all residents in the area, not just those within the city boundaries who currently pay for the $2.3 million budget.
Many regional district residents use the complex for fitness classes, swimming, gym workouts or by attending events such as International Choral Kathaumixw, Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA), Powell River Festival of the Performing Arts, Seedy Saturday, Cultural Diversity Fair, Powell River Kings games, figure skating, minor hockey, dance performances and concerts.
At one time, rural regional residents were levied a surcharge to attend events or engage in programs, including minor hockey or figure skating. It was a cumbersome system and resulted in some harassment of complex staff, so it was discontinued.
Hours of work and community consultation have gone into a proposed regional recreational plan to be jointly funded by City of Powell River, Powell River Regional District and Tla’amin Nation. Rural regional directors from three electoral areas have committed to having a referendum on cost-sharing included on the local government ballot this fall.
It’s worth remembering that the original referendum for the recreation complex had a 75 per cent voter turnout and 75 per cent approval.
People in rural areas are not all aware that they do not contribute to the costs of the recreation complex.
What is being proposed with a referendum is fairness to all. If everyone pays a fair share, the amount will be shared among a larger number of people. It’s what happens with the hospitals and our schools, and it should happen with the recreation complex.
There will be negotiations required to implement the proposed plan and they will continue prior to and after a referendum. Next step is to make sure the referendum is on the ballot in October.
