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Committee votes in favour of referendum on South Cariboo Rec Centre expansion

Division on South Cariboo Joint Committee
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Members of the SCJC discussing going to referendum. Max Winkelman photo.

While some on the South Cariboo Joint Committee (SCJC) oppose the proposed South Cariboo Recreation Centre expansion, they voted in favour of a referendum.

Cariboo Regional District director for area L (Lone Butte - Interlakes), Brian Coakley was the only member opposed to a referendum in the first round of voting. However, in the second round of voting, all members of the SCJC agreed to go to referendum.

Several members also expressed regret not having gone to a referendum on a pool, leading to the current situation.

“If we do nothing, we’re in gridlock,” said CRD area G (Lac la Hache - 108 Mile Ranch) Director Al Richmond. It was a sentiment echoed by other attending members.

City Councillor Ralph Fossum said that the division on the SCJC was an accurate reflection of the community.

The survey results were also presented at the meeting with 750 responses to the survey from both online and paper copies.

“When asked if they would support construction of the South Cariboo Recreation Centre expansion if it meant an increase in yearly property taxes of up to $65 per $100,000 of assessed property value, 47 per cent of respondents indicated that they would support the project, 39 per cent said they would not and 14 per cent said they were unsure.”

“When asked if they were in favour of the South Cariboo Recreation Centre expansion project, 43 per cent said yes, 47 per cent said no, and 10 per cent said they were not sure.”

Members seemed to universally agree that in a referendum, they would be uncomfortable with a 51 to 49 per cent split in favour of the project, with Fossum saying he wasn’t in the business of imposing unwanted taxes on 49 per cent of the population.

Richmond repeatedly brought up that it was important not to disenfranchise pool supporters.

CRD chair and area H (Canim Lake - Forest Grove) director Margo Wagner said this needs to get this done one way or another and to then move forward from there.

The CRD would still have to approve before there is a referendum.