Quesnel and Cariboo Regional District Examine Next Steps in Wake of Referendum Result
Quesnel, B.C. – The City of Quesnel and the Cariboo Regional District have been working on finding answers to the many questions that have risen in the wake of the defeat of the referendum on the North Cariboo .
At issue was the fact the borrowing bylaw, passed in 2008, was reaching the end of its authorization. The referendum was put forth to ask residents if they supported extending that authorization to borrow up to $15 million dollars for a new 1600 seat arena, theatre and multi purpose event space for another 2 years, so fundraising efforts could continue.
2070 said no, 1516 said yes.
The Cariboo Regional District and City of Quesnel say the result has raised four main questions most revolve around the dollars already donated:
1. What happens to the money that has been secured through donations and grants to date?
The Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and the City of Quesnel will be working with its funding partners and project donors and will try to secure as many of the grants and other contributions as possible that have been committed to the multi-centre project. Although there is no multi-centre project today, those donations and grants could remain in the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks budget for future capital projects within the region.
2. What is the process for getting refunds for those donations eligible for a refund?
Donors to the project who chose not to receive a tax deductible receipt are eligible to receive a refund. According to Revenue Canada, if someone receives a tax deductible receipt, a refund cannot be provided. The CRD and City are currently working on the process to efficiently reimburse those donors eligible for a refund. Notification to donors will be issued soon.
3. Can you still make a donation?
The CRD and City of Quesnel are not accepting cash donations at this time while coordinating the reimbursement for eligible refunds.
4. What happens next?
The North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee (which consists of the four Cariboo Regional District northern Directors and City of Quesnel Council members) will hold a strategic planning session early in 2014. The Committee will review all aspects of the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks Service. A process will be set up to communicate with user groups, stakeholders and residents who reside or own property within the North Cariboo Recreation and Parks boundaries as they consider next steps and options for recreation infrastructure replacement.
“The Cariboo Regional District’s northern directors will continue to work with Quesnel City Council to investigate cost efficient options for the replacement of our aging recreation infrastructure,” stated CRD Vice Chair Ted Armstrong. “We will be seeking input and feedback from our residents to ensure we pursue the option which best suits the needs of our community.”
“Infrastructure for recreation, arts and cultural needs in our community will require going back to the stakeholders and taxpayers to determine our next steps through the Joint Planning Committee,” says Mayor Mary Sjostrom. “Federal Infrastructure Grant Programs available to local governments across Canada, generally come out in March or April.”
Comments
I believe some people donated under the understanding that they would be identified on seat, plaques, etc.
If they actually provided money and received tax receipts, then they might find their name on a sprinkler head in a ball field.
Bummer all around.
Good thing the PG PAC did not go fundraising yet, eh?
Impossible to do if there is no certainty. That is why the City needed to get off their behinds a long time ago to make a commitment to land and financial support and set up a system of how to donate funds in such a way that the companies/people who donate know beforehand what will happen if the project is a no go.
Atleast Quesnel had the balls to hold a referendum. Something PG city council is trying to avoid like the plague when it comes to a PAC in PG.
Yes, they did … and the first one passed. Then they went out in good faith to raise funds ……. then people gave and pledged funds such as $1M from West Fraser and $4M from the province.
A totally stupid system. They had 5 years and then needed to go to another referendum.
Bureaucracy at its worst.
“Bureaucracy at its worst.”
Hardly. They had 5 years to raise enough funding to meet their target and failed. The landscape in Quesnel is much different now than it was 5 years ago; seems like an opportunity for “sober second thought” isn’t such a bad thing to me.
It’s a town of 10,000 people- do we really need a 1600 seat arena? We don’t even have a hockey team for God’s sake…
Build what’s required (and what we can afford). We’re paying for enough white elephant buildings in this town already.
No hockey team? No Roos? What town are you from?
It wasn’t just that things had changed in Quesnel, the pigheaded politicians (much like here in PG) made another decision to build something “downtown” way beyond their means.
I remember that there had been land given for a smaller more useful arena facility in South Quesnel (much like what was recently built at Kin) which was far more practical and better located to serve the entire Region. The arrogance was just too much for the politicians and bureaucracy to handle, and they chose another “white elephant building”. Just like we have here, all they want is to surround themselves with their own castles and never what is wanted by the majority. The latest referendum clearly proved that.
There is no question that a “facility” is needed, many people, businesses, and industry supported that. Turf the long time arrogant politicians, get some new blood, become more responsive to the needs of the majority, look at ALL the alternatives, and the community will become organized and united and a facility will get built!!!
A 1600 seat area is all we need in PG and even at that it would be hard pressed to ensure all the seats are full at a Cougars game.
Off the subject but residents never hear the real story of what it is costing the taxpayer to keep the PG Cougars in PG. No boasting from city hall on much revenue is generated from the city/Cougars agreement. Kind of like the HST……revenue neutral as they would like you to believe.
Had they asked the past few Mayors in Prince George on how to circumvent the democratic system, and get an extension to the 5 year restriction on borrowing, they would have been ok.
Most people in this burg don’t realize that the first of three Alternative Approval Petitions on the Police Station, passed the 5 year limit for borrowing, however they were able to take some money out prior to the expiration, and start the project (hypothetically) and got around the restrictions,.
This was a somewhat fast and loose deal they pulled off, and hopefully will, along with many other issues be fully looked into when and if we get an auditor for Municipalities. If ever there was a City that needs a thorough audit, it is the City of Prince George BC.
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