The annual Terry Fox Run in Gibsons attracted 100 participants who raised more than $6,000 for cancer research. Run organizer Mary Findlay said the rain didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came out to run in memory of Terry Fox.
Findlay is grateful to the Town of Gibsons for allowing run organizers to set up the registration desk at the concession stand in Brothers Park. For the last few years the registration has been set up at the Gibsons & Area Community Centre in Gibsons, but a Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) rental policy meant that that organizers would need to pay a facility rate charge and Findlay was not prepared to do that.
Findlay said some participants had difficulty finding the registration table in Brothers Park because they were used to going to the community centre to register.
Harvey Sexsmith belongs to a running group in Gibsons and was surprised that the registration for the Terry Fox Run had moved. He said the community centre had always provided shelter from the rain for run participants.
“This is a community recreation facility and the Terry Fox Run is a community event that involves recreation. It seems as if some small-minded decision was made by the SCRD to accomplish nothing more than to push a table a short distance to the other side of the parking lot,” Sexsmith said.
“We encourage our children to participate in the Terry Fox Run and ask that they donate and do fundraising for the causes of cancer research and the honouring of a great Canadian,” Sexsmith said.
Ian Hall, the SCRD’s general manager of planning and community development, said there are long-standing policies that set fees and “prevent us from waiving fees for venue rentals.” He said there is a reduced cost for not-for-profit and youth groups and the SCRD board does have discretion to waive the fee.
Hall said the SCRD has worked to improve the process for venue rentals by having a single point of contact for rentals.
“We want to support these community events while at the same time respect our policies,” Hall said. “We would welcome the Terry Fox Run back and as we improve our processes we hope we can find a way to work with them. Obviously this is a very valuable and important, volunteer-run event in the community,” Hall said.
