Gibsons council has approved the appointment of a committee of eight individuals to make recommendations for the development of the Armours Beach site plan.
The recommendations from that committee are to be completed and received by council prior to Sept. 1 in order to provide time for design completion and cost estimation for inclusion in the 2014 preliminary budget.
The committee recommendation comes after a highly successful open house on May 8.
At the June 4 council meeting, director of parks and community services Wendy Gilbertson said more than 50 people came out to view the facility and make suggestions.
"The site has been on the public's radar for several years and there is a real desire for something to be done with the facility," Gilbertson said.
She said 35 people submitted comments at the open house and several more were received after the fact via email.
"I have a number of names of people who wish to sit on the committee and we can advertise for more people. I think it is important that we get a diverse committee of people with varying interests," she said.
Aquifer mapping study
Council has recommended that staff review the recent aquifer mapping study that was presented during a public meeting two weeks ago.
Staff will review the study, prepare timelines and budgets to address the recommendations made and report to council at a future committee of the whole meeting.
Director of engineering Dave Newman said he wants to get the report back to council in time for the 2014 budgeting cycle and is shooting for late fall of this year.
Rogers tower
Council is still looking at staff to organize a time, date and location for a public town hall meeting to be hosted by Rogers, the Town and the Sunshine Coast Regional District regarding the proposed construction of an upgraded telecommunications tower at the Gibsons fire hall.
The purpose of the meeting is to have a full dialogue on the telecommunications proposal that Rogers is proposing.
Housing workshop
Faced with several upcoming and ongoing housing proposals coming to the Town, staff and council are looking at organizing a workshop to review its affordable housing policy.
Coun. Lee Ann Johnson asked that the workshop be hosted in the fall after new Census Canada statistics regarding housing prices and other information is released in August. Council agreed and will plan for the workshop in the fall.
