qathet Regional District’s (qRD) board of directors has approved a $7,500 grant-in-aid for Myrtle Point Golf Club for the 2023 cart path improvement project.
At the June 28 regional board meeting, directors debated the grant, to be covered with funds from electoral areas A, B and C.
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said the golf club had been bounced around by the regional board for many years.
“Originally, what was proposed years ago was a tax exemption,” said Gisborne. “I recall we decided not to give a tax exemption.
“What we have before us is only electoral areas A, B and C providing contributions, rather than the greater region. That’s why I voted in opposition at the finance committee. If it was from general grants-in-aid, it would be a different story.”
Electoral Area E director Andrew Fall said he believed there needed to be discussion about flexibility in grants-in-aid.
City director George Doubt said the city has just recently approved a number of Powell River Community Forest grants and one is for the Myrtle Point Golf Club.
“It’s over $100,000 to provide some new facilities there,” said Doubt. “There was a motion at our council meeting to not make that grant because it was outside of the city but the motion didn’t pass.”
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said he had some concerns about the three electoral areas being the only contributors.
“Area A, due to our assessed values, pays the lion’s share,” said Lennox. “I have had people in my area mention this to me. Not a lot of folks from Area A are using this facility, so I struggle with these types of applications and how we pay for it.”
Gisborne thanked Doubt about the information he provided about the community forest grant for the golf club.
“My understanding is the community forest is kicking some money over to the golf club, so in that case, my opinion has been changed,” said Gisborne.
A motion to provide the funds to Myrtle Point Golf Club carried, with Lennox opposed.
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