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qathet Region District (qRD) funding for Powell River Recreation Complex was debated by the finance committee, with directors coming up with a preliminary figure.
At the February 6 finance committee meeting, Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander recommended contributing $313,255 as the amount in 2024 to City of Powell River toward operations of the recreation complex. The original contribution in the bylaw that expired on December 31, 2023, was $178,500.
Brander said five years ago, when the regional district held its referendum to determine whether it wanted to opt into funding the recreation complex, there was a lot of support for the complex in electoral areas A, B and C, which are the areas that currently contribute toward the facility.
“I believe that support still exists,” said Brander. “If we have this increase, which is the maximum allowed under the current rules, Area C will see the biggest increase cost of $32.03 per average household.
“The recreation centre is an asset appreciated by the residents of areas A, B and C to a great extent. There’s a lot of young families in our community who utilize it and it’s an important asset that we have in the community. I see the value in supporting it.”
Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne outlined that at the November 14, 2023, city committee of the whole meeting, a motion was carried to request that qRD increase the 2024 contribution to the maximum amount that does not require inspector of municipalities approval, while also requesting a status quo approach with Tla’amin Nation.
Gisborne said he attended the city meeting and the discussion at the committee table was that the rural areas were not paying their fair share and there was a whole issue of relationship challenges between the city and electoral areas.
“That whole time, I was kind of expecting someone would say: ‘what do you think about this, Mark?’” said Gisborne. “I was sitting in the gallery, but it didn’t happen.
“I took a look at the city staff report and the figures being used, I felt, were not accurate and weren’t respectful to the electoral areas. The figure being proposed in today’s motion is the maximum and is not the figure agreed upon that caused the referendum to go forward. That amount was based on floor area ratio of the recreation centre, a population percentage, and the municipality’s operational budget for the rec centre, not the capital budget.”
Gisborne said after the November city committee meeting, he put forward a motion at the qRD’s December finance committee meeting, and the number was $233,000 for a five-year agreement. He said that takes into account the rate of inflation, the cost of the service and the population figures recorded in the latest census.
“That motion was not seconded,” said Gisborne. “Now, what we have before us is the city having their staff asking our staff to then ask the board for a requisition increase. It’s at the 11th hour and we’re being told if we don’t do it, it will set back relations by 15 years. I don’t buy that.
“I see the City of Powell River as my friends and neighbours. My attitude is, if you want the money of my residents, I’ll be happy to discuss it with you. The city can come and ask me.”
Gisborne said when the recreation complex was being built, the regional district of the day offered to make it a regional service. He said the city declined and it has been an issue ever since. He said he couldn’t support the motion when the city couldn’t come and talk to him about it.
Complicated topic
Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox advocated $210,247, which would take into account the changes in the consumer price index since the agreement was struck in 2019.
“This is a complicated topic,” said Lennox. “This needs to be a diligent and constructive conversation to get this right because it’s a huge ticket item. We need to work on this a bit more.”
City councillor George Doubt said he was at the city meeting in November where the request was approved, and he voted in favour of it.
“It’s extremely transparent what the city is asking for,” said Doubt. “The city is asking for the maximum allowable contribution allowed by the ministry.
“It’s for the people who are going to pay the freight to make a decision on what the recreation service that they get from the recreation centre is worth.”
Electoral Area E director and finance committee chair Andrew Fall said what he was hearing from electoral Area A, B and C directors is that they wanted to fund the recreation complex at some level. He said, then, it is just a matter of a number.
“I suggest the amount is some number the directors really need to come together on,” said Fall.
The finance committee recommended to the regional board that the board direct staff to include $313,255 in the 2024 budget for subregional recreation contribution service to provide Powell River Recreation Complex funding. The motion carried, with Gisborne opposed.
At the board level, the vote will be between the three directors whose constituents make contributions to the recreation complex funding.
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