Council Moves Forward With Facilities

Council is moving forward with two major facility-replacement projects: a new fire ahll on Massey Drive to replaced the aging facility downtown and a replacement of the Four Seasons Pool. Council approved fourth and final reading of the loan authorization bylaw, allowing the City to borrow $50 million dollars ($15 million for the fire hall and $35 million for the pool) to get started with the work. “I just wanted to say how proud I am of our staff for communicating all the information in the referendum,” said Councillor Jillian Merrick. Councillor Brian Skakun had thanks for all those who got out to vote, despite the low voter turnout. According to a report from the General Manager of Administrative Services, Walter Babicz, Elections BC has the number of eligible voters for this referendum was 54,953. Voter turnout was 14.37%. City Manager Kathleen Soltis says one of the first orders of business is completion of the purchase of Day’s Inn. “We put an offer in, pending the outcome of the referendum.” Also, Council and Administration will begin knocking on the doors of both the federal and provincial governments for possible grant funding. The City will also begin the design process for both facilities.