qRD to request meeting about recreation complex contribution

qathet Regional District’s board has voted to meet with Powell River City Council regarding financial contributions to Powell River Recreation Complex.

At the April 8 regional board meeting, qRD Electoral Area B director Mark Gisborne said he wanted to move an amendment to the motion to meet with city council to discuss 2025 financial contributions to the complex.

“There might be a little bit of a confusion because we have a service review that is going on and we have got recommendations coming before our coming committee of the whole meeting,” said Gisborne. “The service review, in my opinion, is more for the long term regarding the recreation service. At the March finance committee meeting, we postponed contributing our 2025 financial amount, which was $240,000, for the recreation complex, to the city. The reason I added that 2025 was to signify our intent to say to council we want to meet with you and talk about 2025’s financial contribution.

“If this motion passes, I believe it should be up to the chair to decide how that can transpire and start the ball rolling on discussing the 2025 financial contribution. There will be more discussions to come as the service review continues.”

Gisborne said Powell River is eagerly awaiting the $240,000 allocated in the budget, and by passing the motion, it could give everyone peace of mind in moving forward.

Electoral Area C director and board chair Clay Brander said he was not sure putting 2025 in the motion was necessary.

“We could probably meet with them, and it gives us the flexibility to discuss future years,” said Brander. “If we put 2025 in, it limits us to 2025. I’m more inclined to do it without this date.”

Electoral Area A director Jason Lennox said it was important for the regional board to move ahead.

“Let’s have the meeting,” said Lennox. “It’s time to get moving and get some certainty for the city this year and carry on for the future.”

City director Cindy Eliott said she supported the motion, which could only be voted on by directors of Electoral Areas A, B and C, which contribute to the subregional recreation service.

“I’m very happy the motion is coming forward so that we can have a meeting,” said Elliott.

The motion to have a meeting to discuss regional district contributions to the city’s recreation complex passed unanimously.

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