Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Referendum

In accordance with section 158 of the Local Government Act, the RDN Board received the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Assent Vote (Referendum) Results(External link) report for information at its meeting on April 22, 2025. Further discussion on potential next steps will occur at the June 12, 2025, Oceanside Services Committee meeting or as otherwise directed. If and when next steps are determined by the RDN Board, an update will be shared publicly and on the project page at: getinvolved.rdn.ca/rac-expansion-referendum.

For more information on the referendum results, please visit: rdn.bc.ca/Ravensong-Referendum(External link).

The official results for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion referendum have been confirmed from seven voting locations, two advance voting opportunities and mail ballots. The results are as follows:

• Yes votes to borrow up to $30 million to expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach: 2877
• No votes to borrow up to $30 million to expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach: 4487

Please see the detailed final results at rdn.bc.ca/2025Ravensong-results(External link)

Next Steps:

• Tuesday, April 22: The RDN Board will receive the official results and provide direction for the next steps.
• More information and next steps will be provided after the April 22 board meeting in a news release.

The preliminary results for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion referendum have been tabulated from seven voting locations, two advance voting opportunities and mail ballots. The results are as follows:

• Yes votes to borrow up to $30 million to expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach: 2877
• No votes to borrow up to $30 million to expand Ravensong Aquatic Centre in Qualicum Beach: 4487

Please see the detailed preliminary results at rdn.bc.ca/2025Ravensong-results(External link)

Next Steps:

• Wednesday, April 9: The official results will be posted on the RDN website.
• Tuesday, April 22: The RDN Board will receive the official results and provide direction for the next steps.

Resident electors and non-resident property electors of the City of Parksville, the Town of Qualicum Beach and the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Electoral Areas E, F, G and H have the opportunity to decide through a referendum if the RDN can borrow up to $30 million for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project. General voting day is Saturday, April 5, 2025, with advanced voting days on March 26 and April 2.

Voters will be asked: "Are you in favour of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopting Ravensong Aquatic Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1921, 2024, which will authorize the Regional District of Nanaimo to borrow up to thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) in order to finance the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion?"

Advanced Voting

Qualicum Beach Community Hall, 644 Memorial Avenue, Qualicum Beach

• Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

General Voting Day

• Saturday, April 5, 2025, 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Note: Electors in each electoral area and municipality are only eligible to vote at their respective voting location(s) noted.

For more information on the referendum, including the three ways to vote, who can vote and voting locations, visit rdn.bc.ca/ravensong-referendum(External link).

The Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced a federal investment of up to $7 million for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project in British Columbia through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

The federal government recognizes the importance of community spaces and remains committed to strengthening and revitalizing Canadian communities, remaining connected through common interest and shared spaces.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is pleased that a contribution of $7 million for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project has been approved. The contribution forms a significant portion of the $36 million project budget. With this announcement, the project would be funded through a contribution agreement with the Federal Government, long-term borrowing if approved through the referendum on April 5, 2025, and capital reserves.

The federal contribution will reduce the RDN’s reliance on borrowing the full amount of the proposed $30 million and provide a financial buffer during a shifting economic period.

For more details visit: rdn.bc.ca/notice-2025-03-19(External link)

Drop-In Information Sessions 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Monday, February 24 Coombs Fairgrounds, 1014 Ford Rd, Coombs

Wednesday, February 26 Lighthouse Community Centre, 240 Lions Way, Qualicum Beach

Monday, March 3 Nanoose Place Community Centre, 2925 Northwest Bay Rd, Nanoose Bay

Wednesday, March 5 Craig Street Commons, 330 Craig St, Parksville

Monday, March 10 Qualicum Beach Community Hall, 644 Memorial Ave, Qualicum Beach

Wednesday, March 12 St. Columba Presbyterian Church, 921 Wembley Rd, Parksville

These are in-person, drop-in format. There will be information boards to explain the proposed Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion and details about the referendum. RDN staff will be present to answer questions about the expansion and referendum.

There will not be a presentation or a microphone.

Virtual Information Session 5 - 7:30 p.m.

Monday, March 17

Join the Zoom meeting at: bit.ly/RACinfo(External link) or join by telephone by dialing: +1 587 328 1099. When prompted, enter meeting ID: 638 3104 2387 and passcode: 385739

Staff will walk through the information boards and answer questions about the proposed Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion and referendum.

Expectations for Engagement

Only RAC expansion project and referendum questions will be answered during the information sessions. Residents who have questions about other RDN services, projects or topics should send them to inquiries at inquires@rdn.bc.ca(External link) or call 250-390-4111. They will be connected with the appropriate RDN staff person who will respond to their inquiries during regular office hours.

We are committed to listening carefully, engaging constructively and addressing concerns you may have as fully as we can. There will be zero tolerance for any intimidating, confrontational or discriminatory language or behaviour. As participants, we ask you to:

• Treat others with respect
• Listen and allow others to share
• Appreciate the diversity of perspectives – you do not need to agree with others thoughts and ideas
• When appropriate, engage in dialogue rather than debate
• Be mindful of time
• Seek to learn from one another
• Focus on issues and interests, not on positions or personalities