News_ LEISURE SURVEY TheReview Wednesday, March 25,1992 — A2 fe Continued from Page Al nich, taxpayers will pay an esti- mated $88 by 1996 to'help support Panorama and an estimated $123.28 by 1996 to support an expanded Panorama Leisure Centre. Building a recreation centre in Central Saanich would cost the average taxpayer an additional $187.30 per year by 1996. If Central Saanich became a partner in operating the centre, Ald. Bruce Tobin wondered if Central Saanich would be forced by Sidney and North Saanich to support an expansion, even if the municipality did not want to spend the money. Ald. Gary Valiquette said the agreement between all three municipalities would stipulate that all three would have to approve any expansion. However Ald. Ian Cameron sug- hey us RECREATION. ALTERNATIVES are explained by consultant . 2 gested Central Saanich might want an expansion but be tumed down by the other two municipalities. He said the survey should be worded so residents realize Central Saanich council will not have the final authority on expanding the centre. “If we join Panorama, are we stuck with them?”’ resident Peter Fane asked council. He suggested the two recent public meetings on the issue had been packed with people who favored joining Panorama. He urged council to send the survey out with the tax bills. Bolt’s motion to send the survey with the tax bills was defeated. Tobin noted residents want the survey sent soon and predicted a greater responsed if the survey was not included with tax bills. Valiquette thought combining Brian Johnston to Marvin van Cadsand during a recent publi¢ meeting in Central Saanich. Residenis urge youth-oriented activities required in Sidney The need for a teen meeting room or social club in Sidney, as a focus for better recreational facilit- ies for youth, arose at Monday night’s Town council meeting as the issue of gaming arcades once again reared its ugly head. This time though, the gaming discussion generated positive pro- posals for the provision of recrea- tional facilities for youth. Council heard a letter from resi- dent Caroline Whitehead express- ing her concem at a recent request that Sidney change its bylaws to allow arcades to operate, an issue that has, in effect, being defeated at committee. But the letter continued that whereas arcades “encouraged inappropriate activities,” council might do well to consider using part of Sanscha Hall for youth activities “as their recreational needs over the past years seem to have been sadly-neglected.” Whitehead said council should support the formation of a youth club house, “encourage the young people to run it themselves, with overseers if need be.” FLEET She said she was more than willing to devote some of her spare time to youth activities and there were many other active seniors who would do likewise. Council members welcomed the letter, and another from Peter Driessen. He also opposed gaming arcades and supported youth facil- ities which “promote positive and useful activities such as sport, crafts etc.” and the establishment of a “teenager social room/meet- ing place’’ — perhaps at the Panorama Leisure Center. During the discussion that fol- lowed, Ald. Ted Daly agreed with the thrust of the letters and sug- gested that council should seek some input from North Saanich Middle School and Parkland Secondary School. Mayor Marie Rosko recom- mended to council that the letters and the issues raised be referred to the community services commit- tee, a motion which was carried unanimously. Continued from Page Al tion work, hospital reviews and workers compensation issues, tra- vel extensively to deliver valuable government programs to commu- nities throughout the province,” Boone said. Regulations established by the Treasury Board control the use of government jets. Cabinet ministers will still travel on the jets which required to do so for government business, Boone added. Government aircraft logs will be released quarterly, Boone said. The government will also respond to individual requests to review the logs. the tax notice and the survey would confuse residents. It would also delay the survey until mid- May. “It’s a no-win Situation. We’ll be criticized however we do it,” Ald. Jack Mar said, voting in favor of sending the survey separately, Bolt noted the figures used on the survey represent the average homeowner and the impact will be different depending on the assessed value of the home. “Someone with a $400,000 assessment is no longer an average taxpayer and will be paying $300 a year for a leisure centre,’ Bolt remarked. Treasurer Paul Murray said he could provide any homeowner with an estimate of the tax cost based on the current assessment of the home. Ald. Arlene Box said the tax costs for Central Saanich busi- nesses also need to be included in the survey. Jones said Central Saanich has put money into outdoor facilities and may have to shift that empha- sis if the municipality joins Pano- rama. For example, the suggested annual assessment for operating the centre would be $1.6 million from Central Saanich: $889,000 from Sidney and $604,000 from North Saanich. Those figures are based on a 50-50 blend of popula- tion and assessed values for each municipality, he said. The municipality now spends over $500,000 on parks and recre- ation, supporting such facilities as the seniors centre and Centennial Park. Bolt moved to have the mayor explain the history of Central Saa- nich’s recreation policy and the current allocation of parks and recreation funds in a letter which will accompany the survey. Bolt also suggested the cost of each option be presented on the basis of assessed value, so each homeowner could work out the tax cost based on the assessed value of his or her home. Council members approved Bolt’s suggestions. Council members also approved a proposed schedule under which the questionaire would be approved April 6, the survey mailed April 15 and responses due by Apmil 29. Results of the survey would be presented to council’s parks and recreation committee May 25. Sending the survey out separ- ately from the tax notices will cost the municipality an additional $2,500, recreation coordinator Bonnie McKenzie noted. Depending on the results of the questionaire, Jones said the municipality may be able to decide whether to support Pano- rama without holding a referen- dum. However both Bolt and Cam- eron said a referendum would have to be held if the survey results did not indicate a clear majority deci- sion. “It’s an enormous tax increase,’ Cameron said. Last month the Peninsula Recre- ation Commission, which oversees operation of the Panorama centre, introduced a two-week waiting period for Central Saanich resi- dents wanting to register in centre programs. In addition, Central Saanich res- idents will pay a 30 per cent surcharge on regular admission and program rates. 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