Grand Forks/Area D Community Centre Assent Voting Opportunity

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Consultation has concluded

On October 15, 2022, qualified electors in the City of Grand Forks and Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks will vote on the following questions:

Are you in favour of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary adopting the following proposed bylaws:

Grand Forks and Electoral Area D Community Centre Establishment Bylaw No. 1802, 2022 which will establish a service within the City of Grand Forks and Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks to provide for the construction, operation and maintenance of a community centre in the City of Grand Forks; and annually requisition up to a maximum of the greater of $1,200,000.00 or $0.8279/$1,000 of taxable assessed value to pay for the service?;

AND,

Grand Forks and Electoral Area D Community Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1806, 2022 to authorize the long-term borrowing of up to $16,300,000.00 (Sixteen Million Three-Hundred Thousand Dollars) for the construction of the Grand Forks/Electoral Area D Community Centre service?

“We’re so excited about this project! A gathering place where people can come together for social, cultural, business and life events yet have the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, indoor performances, additional fitness and recreation programming too. In short, it will take us to another level,” says Paul Keys, Manager of RDKB’s Facilities and Recreation based in Grand Forks.

“The people of Grand Forks and area have wanted a community space like this for a very long time. There’s nothing like it locally. The want and need for it is clearly there and many stakeholders have been involved in the process so that the proposed build will be fit for purpose to fill that gap. We need to be clear though: Even if voters approve the referendum - the project, and its final costs, will still have to be approved at the RDKB board level to make it a reality. We are almost there!” Says Danna O’ Donnell, RDKB Director, Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks.

It is hoped that grants, which will be actively pursued in 2023, will significantly bring down the $16.3 million anticipated build costs. Cathy Korolek RDKB Director for Grand Forks explains: “If the loan authorization bylaw is approved in the referendum, the project will have the capacity in its budget to move forwards and we’ll be one step closer to securing a local community space. We want to bring these ceiling costs down in any way we can by taking advantage of all grant opportunities. If successful, taxpayers contributions will be lessened accordingly. Shifting timelines risk rising costs elsewhere so we’ll need to ensure financial gains are worth any delays.

Located adjacent to the current aquatic centre and arena near the intersection of Hwy 3 and 19th Street, the one-storey, 13000 sq foot facility will feature a community hall for 250 people, a commercial kitchen, washrooms, and a café. It will also house a conference room designed to meet the demands of a modern Emergency Operations Centre when there is an activation. The design incorporates a variety of spaces suitable for fitness, recreation, youth, maker activities, meetings, weddings, events, markets, fairs, family and special events.

Grand Forks/RDKB Area D Community Centre Assent (Referendum) ADVANCE VOTING opportunity is taking place on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 8 am – 8 pm:

Area D voters: Cast your votes in the Viewing Room at the Jack Goddard Memorial Arena, 2020 Central Avenue, Grand Forks

City of Grand Forks voters: Cast your votes at Gallery 2 at Gallery 2, 524 Central Avenue, Grand Forks

On October 15, 2022, qualified electors in the City of Grand Forks and Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks will vote on the following questions:

Are you in favour of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary adopting the following proposed bylaws:

Grand Forks and Electoral Area D Community Centre Establishment Bylaw No. 1802, 2022 which will establish a service within the City of Grand Forks and Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks to provide for the construction, operation and maintenance of a community centre in the City of Grand Forks; and annually requisition up to a maximum of the greater of $1,200,000.00 or $0.8279/$1,000 of taxable assessed value to pay for the service?;

AND,

Grand Forks and Electoral Area D Community Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1806, 2022 to authorize the long-term borrowing of up to $16,300,000.00 (Sixteen Million Three-Hundred Thousand Dollars) for the construction of the Grand Forks/Electoral Area D Community Centre service?

“We’re so excited about this project! A gathering place where people can come together for social, cultural, business and life events yet have the opportunity to enjoy live entertainment, indoor performances, additional fitness and recreation programming too. In short, it will take us to another level,” says Paul Keys, Manager of RDKB’s Facilities and Recreation based in Grand Forks.

“The people of Grand Forks and area have wanted a community space like this for a very long time. There’s nothing like it locally. The want and need for it is clearly there and many stakeholders have been involved in the process so that the proposed build will be fit for purpose to fill that gap. We need to be clear though: Even if voters approve the referendum - the project, and its final costs, will still have to be approved at the RDKB board level to make it a reality. We are almost there!” Says Danna O’ Donnell, RDKB Director, Electoral Area D/Rural Grand Forks.

It is hoped that grants, which will be actively pursued in 2023, will significantly bring down the $16.3 million anticipated build costs. Cathy Korolek RDKB Director for Grand Forks explains: “If the loan authorization bylaw is approved in the referendum, the project will have the capacity in its budget to move forwards and we’ll be one step closer to securing a local community space. We want to bring these ceiling costs down in any way we can by taking advantage of all grant opportunities. If successful, taxpayers contributions will be lessened accordingly. Shifting timelines risk rising costs elsewhere so we’ll need to ensure financial gains are worth any delays.

Located adjacent to the current aquatic centre and arena near the intersection of Hwy 3 and 19th Street, the one-storey, 13000 sq foot facility will feature a community hall for 250 people, a commercial kitchen, washrooms, and a café. It will also house a conference room designed to meet the demands of a modern Emergency Operations Centre when there is an activation. The design incorporates a variety of spaces suitable for fitness, recreation, youth, maker activities, meetings, weddings, events, markets, fairs, family and special events.

Grand Forks/RDKB Area D Community Centre Assent (Referendum) ADVANCE VOTING opportunity is taking place on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 8 am – 8 pm:

Area D voters: Cast your votes in the Viewing Room at the Jack Goddard Memorial Arena, 2020 Central Avenue, Grand Forks

City of Grand Forks voters: Cast your votes at Gallery 2 at Gallery 2, 524 Central Avenue, Grand Forks