Access to a major grant to fund the replacement of Coopers Green Hall is giving Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) directors pause as they mull options for the project, including the possibility of renovating the current structure.
The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) grant, announced earlier this month, would cover 73 per cent of the project to a maximum of about $2 million.
As it stands, the Halfmoon Bay hall is estimated to cost $3,088,020 if started in the first three months of 2021, not including site improvements such as parking and septic.
So far, the Halfmoon Bay Community Association has raised $245,000 of its $300,000 commitment for the project. In addition, $192,000 is coming through contributions from Independent Power Projects.
A further $300,000 has been committed by way of gas tax funds – but cannot be applied to the ICIP-funded core of the project, because of grant rules. Instead, that money could be used for other aspects, such as site improvements.
The community association and regional district are also looking at other sources of funding, and into the potential for volunteer labour.
Staff estimate the amount to borrow for the project could reach up to $800,000, with debt servicing funded through taxation.
On top of that are operating expenses of $41,000 and annual saving for a future replacement.
A staff report presented at a July 23 corporate and administrative services committee noted the “intense interest” of the community association to move ahead with the project, but also noted they had received “several comments by phone and email” that questioned the increase in taxes and scale of the project compared with the park’s size and location.
“At one time, there was discussion that tax dollars would not be used as a
source of funding for the project – however, several years ago the project budget was visualized as being around $1M,” read the staff report.
Because of the funding still required, staff asked directors to consider competing priorities, such as water, wastewater and solid waste services, “and the burden of these needs on largely residential taxpayers,” as well as the impact of COVID-19 on the SCRD’s budget, sea level rise, and a “strengthened focus on regional collaboration.”
Staff proposed two options. The first would be to move ahead with the project as it’s been developed so far.
The second option would be to scale back the size of the project to approximately $1.3 million, which would reduce the funding gap to $355,666 – in the ballpark of the community association’s funding commitment.
That route would mean renovating instead of replacing the hall, or working with the school district to create a space in proximity to the park. That scenario, according to the staff report, “could involve the eventual decommissioning of the Coopers Green Hall.”
During discussion, Halfmoon Bay director and chair Lori Pratt acknowledged the boat launch is another important part of infrastructure at Coopers Green Park.
She said she was asked why the ramp – in need of improvements – wasn’t also included in the project. “The only answer I had was it wasn’t on our radar at the time to do it,” she said. “I’ll take responsibility for that because I’m the one elected at the table. I wish I had been more cognizant earlier on,” she said, “and had been more of a voice for that because we could have put more additions in the grant.”
Since the project doesn’t need to be completed until 2027, Pratt said “we have some time,” and proposed that the SCRD consult with the community before making a decision on how to proceed. That’s expected to occur next year.
She also proposed that they explore the potential for a “cooperative arrangement” with the community association about the operation of the hall.
Pratt said the park management plan should also be revisited and included in the consultation.
Directors passed the motion at committee.
