McBride, B.C. – Voters in  the Robson Valley  have  said  yes to giving the Regional District the go ahead to buy a building   in McBride to house a museum and library.

A referendum was held yesterday, in which  eligible voters were asked:

“Are you in favour of Robson Valley Exploration and Learning Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2970, 2015 and Robson Valley Exploration and Learning Service Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2971, 2015 which proposes to authorize the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George to: • establish the Robson Valley Exploration and Learning Service within the Village of McBride and participating area of Electoral Area H shown outlined in bold on Appendix “A” to Bylaw No. 2970; • set a maximum annual tax requisition limit amount as the greater of $74,550 (Seventy Four Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty Dollars) or the amount obtained by applying a property value tax rate of $0.0004 against the net taxable value of land and improvements within the service area; and • to borrow a sum not exceeding $620,530 (Six Hundred and Twenty Thousand, Five Hundred Thirty Dollars) for the purpose of purchasing a facility for the Robson Valley Exploration and Learning service.”
The unofficial results have 335 saying yes,   while 286  said no.

The McBride and District Public Library and the Valley Museum and Archives have advocated for larger space for several years.

A feasibility study  had been completed which  looked at three different options;

• ,renovate the existing library and annex;
• build a new facility on vacant lots owned by the museum; and
• purchase the building at 521 Main Street

Based on the information provided in the study, buying the building at 521 Main Street was identified as the best option.  It is the most cost-effective and provides the necessary space for the library and museum to operate and provides improved storage space for museum artifacts.  The location is highly visible and considered a major benefit to help attract visitors.

The projected cost for the purchase of the building and related expenses (renovations and repairs, engineering report and contingencies) is $668,230.  The Library and Museum  fundraised and received grants totaling $47,700 which brings the total to be borrowed down to $620,530.  With an annual operating budget of $74,550, the taxation impact on residents within the service area would $27.47 per $100,000 of assessed property value.  For business properties, the impact per year would be $67.30 per $100,000 of assessed property value.
The taxation  will  be applied to  only those properties in Area H east of Small River and the Village of McBride.