News straw voie favors joining Panorama A straw vote at Saturday’s pub- lic meeting on the Panorama Lei- sure Centre showed a clear major- ity favored paying taxes to support an expanded recreation facility. The informal vote followed a presentation on the projected tax costs if. Central Saanich joined North Saanich and Sidney in oper- ating the centre. Contributing to the construction and operating costs of an expanded Panorama Leisure Centre would cost each Central Saanich taxpayer an additional $72.72 in 1992; $76.33 in 1993; $114.35 in 1994; $118.00 in 1995 and $123.28 in 1996, according to Brian Johnston, president of PERC consulting. In 1991, PERC did a study for Cen- tral Saanich and the Peninsula Recreation Commission on future recreation options for the area. Construction of an expanded ARCADE Panorama Recreation Centre would not be reflected on tax bills until 1994, he said. If Central Saanich constructed a separate facility with an arena and pool, the cost would add $131.84 to tax bills in 1993;-$199.26 in 1994: $206.15 in 1995 and $213.39 in 1996. ~ The figures assume an assessed value of $147,000 which is the median assessment for a Central Saanich home, Johnston added. An estimated 100 people turned out for Johnston’s presentation, held in the Central Saanich fire department’s training room. Council members and members of the Peninsula Recreation Com- mission were also present to answer questions. When the straw vote was taken, 43 were in favor of supporting Panorama and expanding those Continued from Page Al people who are inclined to traffic in drugs and other commodities such as stolen property,” he says. He wrote there are no laws preventing loitering at arcades, “and that is just what hap- pens.....hese places are then lost to the public for general use and enjoyment. You will see a sharp rise in minor thefts, etc. in the area.” a Building and licence inspector Al Cameron recommended no change to the business licence bylaw, and that the arcade ban, which was imposed in 1983, remain in place. Cameron wrote in a report that arcades can be a problem for law enforcement, they bring an “at risk” mix of people together, and they ‘are great havens in other municipalities for alcohol and drug abuse.” Ewing told council he is explor- ing two sites in town, at the Beacon Plaza or on a commercial area of McDonald Park Road. Ald. Ted Daly noted the police and staff reports were not favora- ble, but he wanted to hear more details on the proposal by Ewing at a committee meeting. He said the reports give “a negative slant on it,’ and he wanted more information on the possibility of allowing arcades outside the downtown core. Council could create a zone in town where arcades would be penmitted. This could limit use to one or two properties, but would require rezoning. Ald. Dave Goulet said location and how an arcade would be run are crucial. “J don’t think you should just throw (Ewing’s request) out the window.” Ewing proposes a Family Fun Center that, he says in a previous letter to council, “will operate like any other business and all rules and regulations will be strictly applied.” The arcade would be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. It would have about 30 games, be a no-smoking area, have a dress code and allow no loitering outside of it. IDEALS COLLIDE Continued from Page Al which is being permitted to con- nect to municipal sewer service, Cameron said. “If we gave it to the fairgrounds, we sure better give it to these folks.” Ald. Arlene Box reminded council that the community plan amendment was originally passed to prohibit all sewer service on agricultural land. She felt it would be more reasonable to repeal the amendment and then consider individual applications for sewer Service. “There are circumstances where people require sewer hook-up.” For compassionate reasons and * to support a local farming opera- tion, Ald. Gary Valiquette said the Fox request should be granted. “It’s critical to support people who want to farm,” he said. Ald. Clarence Bolt objected to council casually overtuming the community plan and suggested the Fox petition be referred to commit- tee for further discussion. At committee, Bolt objected to allowing sewer service to the farm, predicting other agricultural prop- erties would then want sewer ser- vice. Mayor Ted Jones said a septic field could be constructed on the farm but would cost an estimated $25,000 to $30,000, given the high water table, clay soil and lack of ground water. However, since a septic field is possible, he said council should not allow sewer Service. Cameron and Valiquette argued that expecting a farmer to install such an expensive system was not supporting agriculture. “T’m in favor because these people intend to farm the land,” Cameron said. Cameron, Valiquette, Box and Ald. Jack Mar approved the appli- cation with Tobin, Bolt and Jones voting against the motion. GENERAL MEETING - MARCH 19 At: Waddling Dog Inn Saanichton BREAKFAST AT 7:45 A.M. COST: $7.00 MEMBERS AND $9.00 NON-MEMBERS Agenda for the meeting will include: | The Chamber’s New Economic Development Research Project Relocation of the Chamber of Commerce Office to Sidney Your Opportunity to Ask Your Chamber what else is planned? SPACE |S LIMITED - RESERVE EARLY = USINESS | NEO ENTRE 656-3616 | facilities; 11 favored building an arena and pool in Central Saanich and seven voted in favor of joining Saanich in funding the new Saa: nich Commonwealth Centre being built in Royal Oak. Since that facility will not include an arena, seven people felt - Central Saanich should join in operating the Saanich centre and construct an arena. One person voted to join Pano- rama but not to expand the existing facilities. That option would cost Central Saanich taxpayers an additional $72.72 in 1992, increasing to $88.36 by 1996. No one supported maintaining the present situation, with Sidney and North Saanich funding Pano- rama and Central Saanich resi- dents charged an additional 30 per cent to use the centre. An estimated 40 per cent of the centre’s users come from Central Saanich. Another meeting on the issue will be held tonight starting at 7:30 p-m. in the Central Saanich fire department’s training room. Council’s plans to include a survey on sponsoring the recrea- tion centre in municipal tax bills were criticized by two residents at the March 2 meeting. Ald. Arlene Box agreed com- bining the survey with the tax bills “is sort of a subliminal message.” However Ald. Bruce Tobin said residents will have to consider the tax cost of either supporting Pano- rama Leisure Centre or building a separate leisure facility in Central Saanich, so including the survey with the tax notice is appropriate. Ald. lan Cameron said sending the survey with the tax notice will save the municipality about $3,000 in mailing costs. Ald. Gary Valiquette said opini- ons expressed by residents at the upcoming public meetings will be taken seriously by council. STRIKE Continued from Page Al “You're negotiating with a large group, from libraries to outside workers to recreation people so it is very difficult as each one has a different need,” Moyes said. 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