Disbanding of the District 69 Recreation Commission is an example of how arrogant and non-democratic the Regional District of Nanaimo can be.
The motion to disband was put forward by a director whose area did not contribute to the initial building of Ravensong Pool. The reasoning at the time of the construction was that it would be too far away from voters in the Nanoose community. However, at this point in time there are a large number of Nanoose Ravensong Pool users.
After the latest, expensive, 2019–2029 recreation master plan was produced, the commission listened to pool user groups and realized that the plans put forward for pool upgrade options would be entirely inappropriate for the future.
As a result, the pool portion of the master plan was replaced by the commission with an alternate plan that would be less costly and more appropriate for Oceanside pool users.
For this, they were disbanded.
I thank all the members of the recreation commission for trying to do what was needed to be done.
I was so hopeful that after all these years of dealing with overcrowding at Ravensong Pool, changes were on the horizon, even if some years away.
Now it remains to be seen whether the proposed pool solution will really happen. Personally I believe that success will only be achieved when Parksville, Qualicum Beach and surrounding areas take control of decisions concerning our recreation facilities out of the hands of the RDN board and into the hands of our elected District 69 officials.
We have no faith in the RDN to manage our recreation facility needs as they have no vested interest in this district. It now remains to be seen what the mayors of Parksville and Qualicum Beach have in mind going forward as they both voted to disband the recreation commission.
What are they thinking?
Marg Albert
Qualicum Beach