A car rally protesting the closure of the Parksville Community Centre is planned for Friday, Dec. 11.
Assembly will begin at Shelly Hall, 186 Shelly Rd., with expected arrival at city hall offices planned for 12:20 p.m.
A press release sent by “the friends of the Parksville Community Centre” stated the rally will be strictly monitored to be “COVID-safe” and adhere to the latest B.C. gathering regulations. The rally is part of a “growing grassroots effort” to save the “heart of what makes Parksville a great community,” read the release.
READ MORE: Community centre building slated to become Boys and Girls Club in Parksville
“Parksville residents are up in arms with the short-sighted plan by mayor and council to close the PCC to residents and turn it over to the exclusive use of the Boys and Girls Club organization to operate childcare spaces and other programs,” the release stated.
The release said city council claims that the PCC is too expensive to run, though the group says operating costs are in line with other community centres on Vancouver Island.
“The council rejected the proposal by PCC staff and board to set up 30 childcare spaces within the PCC, and suggests using the unused spaces at Qualicum Commons and Craig Street Commons as daycare spaces without having to close the PCC to broad community use,” read the release, which indicated Oceanside RCMP are aware of the rally.
For information, contact savethepcc@gmail.com.
— NEWS Staff, submitted