Parksville Qualicum Beach area residents are being invited to provide input on a proposed new funding model for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre.
District 69 Swimming Pool Service Establishment Bylaw No. 899, 1993 (Bylaw 899) is under review and the project is now entering the community engagement phase.
The proposed bylaw gives the Regional District of Nanaimo the authority to operate Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach and recover the operating and capital item costs related to the facility.
The funding model in Bylaw #899 was reviewed by the RDN board and the District 69 Swimming Pool Service Select Committee. As a result of the review, the board is proposing two changes as follows:
1. Change the cost recovery funding model to one-third assessment, one-third usage and one-third population-based from its current funding model of one-half usage and one-half assessment.
2. Add Electoral Area E (Nanoose Bay) as a participating area. Both changes being considered would have financial implications for all Oceanside residents of Electoral Areas E, F, G, H, the City of Parksville and the Town of Qualicum Beach. Residents of these areas are invited to drop in to the upcoming in-person and virtual open houses to learn about the proposed changes being considered.
READ MORE: Regional District of Nanaimo board approves community engagement plan for Ravensong pool
In-Person Open Houses will take place:
• Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Rotary House, 211 Fern Rd, Qualicum Beach
• Dec. 8, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oceanside Place Arena, Multi–Purpose Rooms, 830 Island Hwy W., Parksville
• Dec. 14, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bowser Legion #211, 7035 Island Hwy W., Bowser
• Jan. 4, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Nanoose Place Community Centre, Multi-Use Room #1, 2925 Northwest Bay Rd, Nanoose
• Jan. 5, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bradley Centre, 975 Shearme Rd, Coombs
• Jan. 18, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. BGC Parksville Child and Family Centre, Lobby, 132 Jensen Ave. E., Parksville
Virtual Open Houses
• Dec. 12, 2022, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
• Jan. 9, 2023, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
Residents are also invited to provide their feedback on the two proposed changes through a short, online survey. The survey is open now until Jan. 31, 2023, on the project webpage.
To learn more about the bylaw review and the open houses, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/pool-bylaw.
— NEWS Staff
PQB staff