The Strathcona Standard

By Grant Warkentin

Voters will be asked this fall if they approve of bringing Quadra Island into the funding model for Strathcona Gardens.

At the Strathcona Regional District’s regular board meeting today, directors discussed the wording for a question which will be presented to voters with their ballots during the October 17 municipal election. The wording was discussed at previous board meetings and was recently approved by the province.

Despite some heated discussion about points of order and the code of conduct, the wording was passed, with opposition recorded from Area C (Quadra Island) Director Robin Mawhinney, Cortes Island (Area B) Director Mark Vonesch, Area A Director Gerald Whalley, Gold River Director Michael Lott, and Tahsis Director Martin Davis.

The wording presented to voters in Campbell River, Area C, and Area D will read:

“Are you in favour of Bylaw No. 643 which would amend the Strathcona Gardens recreation facility service by adding that part of Electoral Area ‘C’ (Quadra Island) shown on Appendix ‘A’ to the bylaw as a participant for the service and specifying a cost sharing formula that uses a percentage of the converted hospital assessments of each participant as follows:

City of Campbell River – 100%

Electoral Area D (Oyster Bay-Buttle Lake) – 90%

That part of Electoral Area C shown on Appendix ‘A’ – 80%”

The full text of the bylaw, along with a staff report explaining it, is available here.

Historically, Strathcona Gardens has been funded by taxpayers in Campbell River and in Area D, the region south of Campbell River to the Oyster River. Despite opposition from some Quadra Islanders and some regional directors this spring, the board voted in favour of extending the service to include Quadra Island.

The REC-REATE project at the Gardens will see a new aquatic centre open this fall, and a wellness centre next year. Revamped ice sheets, including a third sheet and expanded parking at the corner of Merecroft Road and Birch Street, will come within the next 2-3 years, once a construction contract is awarded.

Fees increasing at Gardens

Meanwhile, this morning the Strathcona Gardens Commission approved a general fee increase of three per cent for skate and swim admission fees and passes at at Strathcona Gardens.

Starting September 1, drop-in rates will increase by 25 cents for individuals, and 50 cents for a family. Rental rates for some meeting rooms will also increase, including the Pinecrest Room’s hourly rate from $20 to $21.

Many rates will remain the same, including water therapy and fitness programs, skate rentals and sharpening, and public swimming and skating lessons.

The Commission also approved restructuring rentals to align with the new aquatic centre, which will open to the public in early fall. A full schedule of changes is available here.