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Oceanside Residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo Invited to Provide Input on Pool Funding Model

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Oceanside Residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo Invited to Provide Input on Pool Funding Model

Posted in: News Item

Date Posted: 2022-11-23

Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo

District 69 Swimming Pool Service Establishment Bylaw No. 899, 1993 (Bylaw #899) is under review and the project is now entering the community engagement phase. Bylaw #899 gives the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) the authority to operate Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach and recover the operating and capital item costs related to the facility. The funding model in Bylaw #899 was reviewed by the RDN Board and the District 69 Swimming Pool Service Select Committee. As a result of the review, the RDN Board is proposing two changes to Bylaw #899 as follows:

  1. Change the cost recovery funding model to one-third assessment, one-third usage and one-third population-based from its current funding model of one-half usage and one-half assessment.
  2. Add Electoral Area E (Nanoose Bay) as a participating area.

Both changes being considered would have financial implications for all Oceanside residents of Electoral Areas E, F, G, H, the City of Parksville and the Town of Qualicum Beach. Residents of these areas are invited to drop in to the upcoming in-person and virtual open houses to learn about the proposed changes being considered.

In-Person Open Houses

  • December 7, 2022, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Rotary House, 211 Fern Rd, Qualicum Beach
  • December 8, 2022, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Oceanside Place Arena, Multi–Purpose Rooms, 830 Island Hwy W., Parksville
  • December 14, 2022, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Bowser Legion #211, 7035 Island Hwy W., Bowser
  • January 4, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Nanoose Place Community Centre, Multi-Use Room #1, 2925 Northwest Bay Rd, Nanoose
  • January 5, 2023,5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Bradley Centre, 975 Shearme Rd, Coombs
  • January 18, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at BGC Parksville Child and Family Centre, Lobby, 132 Jensen Ave. E., Parksville

Virtual Open Houses

  • December 12, 2022, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (via Zoom)
  • January 9, 2023, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. (via Zoom)

Please visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/pool-bylaw for the links to the Zoom meetings.

Online Survey

Residents are also invited to provide their feedback on the two proposed changes through a short, online survey. The survey is open now until January 31, 2023, on the project webpage.

The RDN Board will review the public input in spring 2023 and then determine if the District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service Establishment Bylaw No. 899, 1993 should be amended as currently proposed or if, based on public engagement, they will provide alternate direction.

To learn more about the bylaw review and the open houses, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/pool-bylaw. Oceanside residents are encouraged to register at getinvolved.rdn.ca and subscribe to the Ravensong Aquatic Centre RDN Bylaw #899 project page to receive project updates.