Prince George, BC –  The Regional District of Fraser Fort George has released the unofficial results of today's referendum in Electoral Area 'F' on a bylaw that would provide operating funds for an activity centre in the new Giscome Elementary School…

By a vote of 81 to 26, residents living along the East Line – including Willow River, Giscome, Aleza Lake and Upper Fraser – have voted in favour of the proposed Service Establishment Bylaw that would allow the regional district to collect taxes and impose users fees to cover the operating costs of the facility.

At the request of the Willow River Recreation Association, a feasibility study on the proposal was carried out in March.  Members of the community association felt the construction of the new elementary school presented an opportunity to address residents' concerns over a lack of meeting space for East Line residents. The study looked at need and benefits of establishing a community facilities service through taxation, the requirements of the community and involved organizations, and the cost to ratepayers in the proposed service area.

According to the study, the proposed annual tax levy will be about $24.94 per year for a property owner with an average single-family residence valued at $80-thousand dollars.

There will be an official determination of the results on Monday, followed by the Declaration of Official Results on Wednesday, June 25th.