RE: RDN to form new group to replace Northern committees (www.pqbnews.com, March 19)
Yup! Let’s get rid of that pesky D69 recreation commission. Back in January 2002, it played a key role in steering RDN Recreation from spending $6.9 million for a single sheet addition to the old ice arena in Parksville, which the RDN dubbed the “Twinning Solution.”
After substantial pressure from the Parksville Qualicum Beach public and the D69 RecCom, RDN Recreation succumbed to a new facility with two competitive-size ice surfaces, a leisure rink called the pond, new locker rooms, grandstands, a snack bar and a complete second floor including multiple meeting rooms and all the recreation and parks staff for just $1.2 million more.
As a bonus, the local curling club took over the old ice arena and created the Parksville Curling Rink in the Community Park. The problem is not the D69 RecCom.
It listened to the needs of the Parksville Qualicum Beach residents, supported sport delegations and made a clear three point motion to the RDN board that condensed and crystalized the top Oceanside Recreation Facility priorities; a pool expansion solution, a rubberized track and field facility and land for an indoor/outdoor multi-purpose SportPlex.
This motion was passed by the RDN board in 2018. It would never have made it to the board without the direct input and tenacity of the D69 recreation commissioners.
I strongly encourage all RDN board of directors to defeat the Bob Rogers motion to eliminate the D69 RecCom, reinstate the ORSI subcommittee process and consider a motion to study the true cause of the 19-year delay for much-needed recreation facilities in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
I reiterate, the problem is not the D69 RecCom. In a recent PQBNews poll, 94% agree we need more recreation facilities in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
Eliminating the D69 RecCom will only further erode RDN credibility and continue to exasperate the public process in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
Reg Nosworthy
RDN D69 Recreation Commissioner for Electoral Area F
Qualicum Beach