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Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion Referendum

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At the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board meeting held on October 8, 2024, the Board directed staff to proceed with preparations for a spring 2025 referendum for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project.

On October 22, 2024, at the Board meeting, the RDN Board approved the following referendum question:

“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?”

Eligible resident electors and non-resident property electors of the electoral areas and municipalities that contribute to the Regional District of Nanaimo District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service can participate in the referendum. This includes resident electors and non-resident property electors of the City of Parksville, the Town of Qualicum Beach, and Electoral Areas E, F, G and H. To view the eligible voting criteria please visit our FAQ's.

Want to learn more or get involved?

  • Be sure to register and subscribe to the project, we will provide updates on upcoming information sharing events, the referendum date announcement (early 2025) and other important dates and information.
  • Learn more about the history of the expansion project and how we got to referendum here.
  • Check out the FAQ's and Background Documents.
  • Ask us a question using the Q&A tab below.

At the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Board meeting held on October 8, 2024, the Board directed staff to proceed with preparations for a spring 2025 referendum for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project.

On October 22, 2024, at the Board meeting, the RDN Board approved the following referendum question:

“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?”

Eligible resident electors and non-resident property electors of the electoral areas and municipalities that contribute to the Regional District of Nanaimo District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service can participate in the referendum. This includes resident electors and non-resident property electors of the City of Parksville, the Town of Qualicum Beach, and Electoral Areas E, F, G and H. To view the eligible voting criteria please visit our FAQ's.

Want to learn more or get involved?

  • Be sure to register and subscribe to the project, we will provide updates on upcoming information sharing events, the referendum date announcement (early 2025) and other important dates and information.
  • Learn more about the history of the expansion project and how we got to referendum here.
  • Check out the FAQ's and Background Documents.
  • Ask us a question using the Q&A tab below.

Q&A

Do you have a question about the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project referendum that hasn't been answered in our FAQ's? 

If so, please ask us here. 

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  • Share Why was this not proceeded with along with the provincial election to save money? Is this $30 million a guaranteed cost and if not why. The cost per household seems to be a large jump in civil taxes that are already what I see as high. on Facebook Share Why was this not proceeded with along with the provincial election to save money? Is this $30 million a guaranteed cost and if not why. The cost per household seems to be a large jump in civil taxes that are already what I see as high. on Twitter Share Why was this not proceeded with along with the provincial election to save money? Is this $30 million a guaranteed cost and if not why. The cost per household seems to be a large jump in civil taxes that are already what I see as high. on Linkedin Email Why was this not proceeded with along with the provincial election to save money? Is this $30 million a guaranteed cost and if not why. The cost per household seems to be a large jump in civil taxes that are already what I see as high. link

    Why was this not proceeded with along with the provincial election to save money? Is this $30 million a guaranteed cost and if not why. The cost per household seems to be a large jump in civil taxes that are already what I see as high.

    gxf6175 asked 14 days ago

    The local government and Provincial ridings do not align making referendum questions such as this, done during Provincial elections, difficult and confusing to voters. Additionally, the timeline the RDN Board was working under in considering options for expansion, funding within District 69 (Oceanside) and the legislative requirements of a referendum, did not align with holding a referendum in conjunction with the recent Provincial election.

     The $30 million is not a guaranteed cost, the RDN is actively applying for grant funding. If successful, the grant funding will be used to reduce the reliance on borrowing. The bylaw has been worded for borrowing up to $30,000,000 and does not require borrowing the entire amount. Additionally, final costs will not be known until work is tendered and will be subject to prevailing construction market conditions.

  • Share If I have interpreted the following site correctly: each electoral area requires its own assent voting (referendum). Can you confirm? Thank You Assent voting (referendum) for local government - Province of British Columbia on Facebook Share If I have interpreted the following site correctly: each electoral area requires its own assent voting (referendum). Can you confirm? Thank You Assent voting (referendum) for local government - Province of British Columbia on Twitter Share If I have interpreted the following site correctly: each electoral area requires its own assent voting (referendum). Can you confirm? Thank You Assent voting (referendum) for local government - Province of British Columbia on Linkedin Email If I have interpreted the following site correctly: each electoral area requires its own assent voting (referendum). Can you confirm? Thank You Assent voting (referendum) for local government - Province of British Columbia link

    If I have interpreted the following site correctly: each electoral area requires its own assent voting (referendum). Can you confirm? Thank You Assent voting (referendum) for local government - Province of British Columbia

    Marquis asked 15 days ago

    Section 343 of the Local Government Act sets out how to obtain approval for service establishing bylaws and this section also applies to approval for loan authorization bylaws. The default under the LGA s. 343 is that participating area approval is to be obtained separately for each participating area unless the Board adopts a resolution under section 342 (4) to have participating area approval obtained for the entire service area (highlighted below). The Board passed the following motion at its October 22, 2024, Board meeting:

     

    It was moved and seconded that participating area approval be obtained for the entire Service area, and that the Regional District of Nanaimo Board is responsible for conducting voting throughout the entire Service area. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    Local Government Act Excerpt - s. 343

    Responsibility for obtaining approval

    343   (1)If participating area approval is to be obtained for the entire service area,

    (a)the board may choose the method,

    (b)in the case of approval by alternative approval process, the board is responsible for obtaining the approval, and

    (c)in the case of approval by assent of the electors, at the option of the board,

    (i)the board is responsible for conducting the voting throughout the proposed service area, or

    (ii)the board and councils are responsible for conducting the voting in the same manner as under subsection (2), with the results of the voting in these areas added together.

    (2)If participating area approval is to be obtained separately for each participating area,

    (a)subject to subsection (3), for a municipal participating area, the council may choose the method and is responsible for obtaining the approval, and

    (b)for an electoral participating area, the board may choose the method and is responsible for obtaining the approval.

    (3)If, within 30 days after third reading of the establishing bylaw, a council

    (a)has notified the regional district that it is refusing to seek participating area approval, or

    (b)fails to give any notice to the regional district with respect to how participating area approval is to be obtained,

    the board may adopt a resolution under section 342 (4) to have participating area approval obtained for the entire service area.

    (4)Despite section 57 (1) [costs of elections], if a council is authorized to give consent on behalf of the electors in accordance with section 346 [consent on behalf of municipal participating area] but does not exercise this authority, the municipality is responsible for the costs of obtaining the participating area approval.

  • Share As I read (The BC provincial government "assent voting (referendum)" for local government) each area has its own vote and should it vote not to participate in this borrowing bylaw then it doesn't. The results of this area vote can not be grouped together with the vote of other areas. The way I read your proposed referendum process this is not the case. Please explain https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/consent-approval-electors/approval-of-the-electors/assent-voting-referendum on Facebook Share As I read (The BC provincial government "assent voting (referendum)" for local government) each area has its own vote and should it vote not to participate in this borrowing bylaw then it doesn't. The results of this area vote can not be grouped together with the vote of other areas. The way I read your proposed referendum process this is not the case. Please explain https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/consent-approval-electors/approval-of-the-electors/assent-voting-referendum on Twitter Share As I read (The BC provincial government "assent voting (referendum)" for local government) each area has its own vote and should it vote not to participate in this borrowing bylaw then it doesn't. The results of this area vote can not be grouped together with the vote of other areas. The way I read your proposed referendum process this is not the case. Please explain https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/consent-approval-electors/approval-of-the-electors/assent-voting-referendum on Linkedin Email As I read (The BC provincial government "assent voting (referendum)" for local government) each area has its own vote and should it vote not to participate in this borrowing bylaw then it doesn't. The results of this area vote can not be grouped together with the vote of other areas. The way I read your proposed referendum process this is not the case. Please explain https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/consent-approval-electors/approval-of-the-electors/assent-voting-referendum link

    As I read (The BC provincial government "assent voting (referendum)" for local government) each area has its own vote and should it vote not to participate in this borrowing bylaw then it doesn't. The results of this area vote can not be grouped together with the vote of other areas. The way I read your proposed referendum process this is not the case. Please explain https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/consent-approval-electors/approval-of-the-electors/assent-voting-referendum

    Marquis asked 13 days ago

    Section 343 of the Local Government Act sets out how to obtain approval for service establishing bylaws and this section also applies to approval for loan authorization bylaws. The default under the LGA s. 343 is that participating area approval is to be obtained separately for each participating area unless the Board adopts a resolution under section 342 (4) to have participating area approval obtained for the entire service area (highlighted below). The Board passed the following motion at its October 22, 2024, Board meeting:

     

    It was moved and seconded that participating area approval be obtained for the entire Service area, and that the Regional District of Nanaimo Board is responsible for conducting voting throughout the entire Service area. CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

    Local Government Act Excerpt - s. 343

    Responsibility for obtaining approval

    343   (1)If participating area approval is to be obtained for the entire service area,

    (a)the board may choose the method,

    (b)in the case of approval by alternative approval process, the board is responsible for obtaining the approval, and

    (c)in the case of approval by assent of the electors, at the option of the board,

    (i)the board is responsible for conducting the voting throughout the proposed service area, or

    (ii)the board and councils are responsible for conducting the voting in the same manner as under subsection (2), with the results of the voting in these areas added together.

    (2)If participating area approval is to be obtained separately for each participating area,

    (a)subject to subsection (3), for a municipal participating area, the council may choose the method and is responsible for obtaining the approval, and

    (b)for an electoral participating area, the board may choose the method and is responsible for obtaining the approval.

    (3)If, within 30 days after third reading of the establishing bylaw, a council

    (a)has notified the regional district that it is refusing to seek participating area approval, or

    (b)fails to give any notice to the regional district with respect to how participating area approval is to be obtained,

    the board may adopt a resolution under section 342 (4) to have participating area approval obtained for the entire service area.

    (4)Despite section 57 (1) [costs of elections], if a council is authorized to give consent on behalf of the electors in accordance with section 346 [consent on behalf of municipal participating area] but does not exercise this authority, the municipality is responsible for the costs of obtaining the participating area approval.

  • Share Will the pool be salt and/or natural filtration. Little or no chlorine? on Facebook Share Will the pool be salt and/or natural filtration. Little or no chlorine? on Twitter Share Will the pool be salt and/or natural filtration. Little or no chlorine? on Linkedin Email Will the pool be salt and/or natural filtration. Little or no chlorine? link

    Will the pool be salt and/or natural filtration. Little or no chlorine?

    JA asked 13 days ago

    The Class B Estimate from the consultant includes new vertical Regenerative Filters that are designed to provide high efficiency filtration with less water waste. Natural filtration is not accepted as a filtration standard for public swimming pools as per B.C. Health Regulations. The consultant also includes a liquid chlorine system in the design. The B.C. Guidelines for Pool Operations requires a minimum level of chlorine disinfectant.

  • Share If you're going to redo the Aquatic Centre for the cost that is estimated why is the no weight and workout room? on Facebook Share If you're going to redo the Aquatic Centre for the cost that is estimated why is the no weight and workout room? on Twitter Share If you're going to redo the Aquatic Centre for the cost that is estimated why is the no weight and workout room? on Linkedin Email If you're going to redo the Aquatic Centre for the cost that is estimated why is the no weight and workout room? link

    If you're going to redo the Aquatic Centre for the cost that is estimated why is the no weight and workout room?

    nekmitch asked 14 days ago

    After receiving feedback on the design options, the Board made the decision to move forward with the Original Option design which did not include a fitness centre. However, the structural preparation for a future fitness centre has been included in the Class B Estimate. History on how this decision was made can be found on our expansion project page.

  • Share Why do the annual taxes to be paid by residents vary by area? Why does everyone not pay the same? on Facebook Share Why do the annual taxes to be paid by residents vary by area? Why does everyone not pay the same? on Twitter Share Why do the annual taxes to be paid by residents vary by area? Why does everyone not pay the same? on Linkedin Email Why do the annual taxes to be paid by residents vary by area? Why does everyone not pay the same? link

    Why do the annual taxes to be paid by residents vary by area? Why does everyone not pay the same?

    Iain Donaldson asked 21 days ago

    The allocation of annual taxes is calculated as the percentage of usage of the service by each participating area determined by a usage survey carried out by the Regional District of Nanaimo every five years as per the service area Bylaw 899. The percent usage per area is outlined in the table below.  

    The annual tax requisition is allocated among the service area participants based on the results of this survey.  This amount is then converted to a per thousand dollars of assessment rate and applied to individual homeowners on the basis of their assessed property values.  Given that each Area has a different survey allocation and each homeowner has a different assessed property value, the estimated annual taxes will vary.

     

     AreaSurvey average % allocation
    City of Parksville                 26.4
    Town of Qualicum Beach                 27.1
    EA E                    4.5
    EA F                 16.7
    EA G                  18.2
    EA H                    7.1
    Total               100.0
  • Share How many years will it take to pay off the loan? on Facebook Share How many years will it take to pay off the loan? on Twitter Share How many years will it take to pay off the loan? on Linkedin Email How many years will it take to pay off the loan? link

    How many years will it take to pay off the loan?

    395 Ridgefield Drive asked 14 days ago

    The cost estimation is calculated on 20 year borrowing. 

  • Share Why is there not a referandum for each electorate area so they have a choice as to where thier tax dollars go? Otherwise the electorate area taxpayers are not fairly represented. on Facebook Share Why is there not a referandum for each electorate area so they have a choice as to where thier tax dollars go? Otherwise the electorate area taxpayers are not fairly represented. on Twitter Share Why is there not a referandum for each electorate area so they have a choice as to where thier tax dollars go? Otherwise the electorate area taxpayers are not fairly represented. on Linkedin Email Why is there not a referandum for each electorate area so they have a choice as to where thier tax dollars go? Otherwise the electorate area taxpayers are not fairly represented. link

    Why is there not a referandum for each electorate area so they have a choice as to where thier tax dollars go? Otherwise the electorate area taxpayers are not fairly represented.

    Marquis asked 21 days ago

    Staff recommended that participating area approval be obtained for the entire service area as this method of approval was utilized for the establishment of the District 69 Swimming Pool Local Service Area Bylaw. This is the service to which the borrowing bylaw for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre expansion relates. Concern was also expressed by the municipal participating areas regarding their capacity to conduct a referendum in their respective jurisdictions next spring. Because of these factors, the RDN Board made the decision to proceed with a referendum for the entire service area with the results of the voting in all municipal and electoral participating areas added together.

  • Share How do I "subscribe" to be part of this referendum? As I was already in the RDN system, I couldn't sign up again, if that was the normal process that was expected to subscribe. on Facebook Share How do I "subscribe" to be part of this referendum? As I was already in the RDN system, I couldn't sign up again, if that was the normal process that was expected to subscribe. on Twitter Share How do I "subscribe" to be part of this referendum? As I was already in the RDN system, I couldn't sign up again, if that was the normal process that was expected to subscribe. on Linkedin Email How do I "subscribe" to be part of this referendum? As I was already in the RDN system, I couldn't sign up again, if that was the normal process that was expected to subscribe. link

    How do I "subscribe" to be part of this referendum? As I was already in the RDN system, I couldn't sign up again, if that was the normal process that was expected to subscribe.

    scott Farnham asked 21 days ago

    Scroll down to the bottom of  the page to find the STAY INFORMED and microphone image. Fill in your email address and click the SUBSCRIBE button.


     


    Once you have clicked on SUBSCRIBE, it will change to: Thank you for subscribing. You will start receiving updates from us shortly.

    At any time if you no longer want to receive email updates on a project, you can click unsubscribe in the email update coming from the Get Involved RDN Team notification@engagementhq.com or by clicking Unsubscribe under the Stay Informed and microphone image at the bottom of the page.

  • Share Will a fitness center be included in this expansion project? I see there are 2x multiple purpose rooms, but no gym. This is a huge oversight if true. on Facebook Share Will a fitness center be included in this expansion project? I see there are 2x multiple purpose rooms, but no gym. This is a huge oversight if true. on Twitter Share Will a fitness center be included in this expansion project? I see there are 2x multiple purpose rooms, but no gym. This is a huge oversight if true. on Linkedin Email Will a fitness center be included in this expansion project? I see there are 2x multiple purpose rooms, but no gym. This is a huge oversight if true. link

    Will a fitness center be included in this expansion project? I see there are 2x multiple purpose rooms, but no gym. This is a huge oversight if true.

    DHermann asked 24 days ago

    After receiving feedback on the design options, the Board made the decision to move forward with the Original Option design which did not include a fitness centre. However, the structural preparation for a future fitness centre has been included in the Class B Estimate.

    fitness centre addition enquiry
    fitness centre addition enquiry
Page last updated: 08 Nov 2024, 09:52 AM