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City of Parksville offers update on closure of community centre

‘Increasing operating costs and annual subsidies provided by the city have been a concern’
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The Parksville Community Centre. (PQB News file photo)

The City of Parksville has issued its latest update on the closure of the Parksville Community Centre.

In a press release Dec. 1, it was reiterated that on Oct. 5, city council announced their intention to work with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island (BGCCVI), and as part of that announcement, the agreement with the Parksville Community Centre Society will not be renewed when it expires on Dec. 31.

The city continues to explore possible meeting space options in other facilities.

In an email, Mayor Ed Mayne said “council is working towards a community centre as part of the new complex with the swimming pool. Council will make this information and recommendations known in January and will then look to the public for their input into this exciting project.”

READ MORE: Community centre building slated to become Boys and Girls Club in Parksville

The city said that BGCCVI has indicated a willingness to work with existing groups, where programs would be harmonious to those offered by the BGCCVI.

Parksville recently submitted a funding application to the Ministry of Children and Family Development for renovations to the PCC in order to accommodate a new licensed childcare space, as well as associated child, youth and parent programming. If successful, renovations would start in April and the facility would open to the public in September 2021, according to their public release.

The city admitted that while it recognizes the decision to close the facility as a rental space is a “substantial shift” for residents, it expressed the financial concerns with keeping it open.

“The increasing operating costs and annual subsidies provided by the city have been a concern and consideration for previous councils… Over the years, city staff has provided ongoing assistance to the PCC in such areas as building issues, maintenance, grant applications and accounting assistance.”

Mayne said “the PCC is a rental facility, it is not a true community centre. A community centre provides programming for all ages in the community. We considered the existing rental inventory available in the community and determined it is sufficient to meet the needs at this time.”

The city stated they will work with the PCC to “ensure a smooth closure.”

— NEWS Staff, submitted

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