Gibsons Coun. Aleria Ladwig says she’s begun to hear complaints about the ongoing closure of the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) recreation facilities in the town.
Ladwig made the comments during an update on the gradual reopening of the Town offices at the June 16 council meeting.
“I actually have heard a few complaints about people wanting to see those services back, and they’re feeling like taxes did increase this year and yet their services are down and there’s a bit of frustration there,” she said, adding the provincial health officer Bonnie Henry has allowed gyms and similar facilities to open.
The Town’s SCRD director, Coun. David Croal, said the regional district is working on a plan for reopening, but because of the staffing levels that would be required and other costs associated with COVID precautions, it may be just one of the pools and one ice surface to start.
Mayor Bill Beamish said he’d like to see the Gibsons Aquatic Centre open, especially since it offers a lot of seniors programming and fitness, and asked Croal to raise it with the board.
“It doesn't have all the bits and pieces the Sechelt pool has, so I would suggest it’s an easier one to open and maintain,” Beamish said.
As for the Town’s own reopening, officials said most, but not all, people have responded well and adjusted to the new procedures since the municipal offices reopened for ICBC and Town services.
“Response from the public has been mixed we’ve had some really phenomenal people come through. They have been really great in their response,” corporate officer Lindsey Grist said. “And we have had some people come through who are at the other end of the spectrum, and it’s been hard on staff, especially on the ICBC side of the service counter.”
Grist said there’s still a need to educate the public that there’s still a state of emergency in the province because of COVID-19 and “ask that everyone have a little bit of patience.”
Beamish said he hasn’t had any complaints from the public about the level of service at Town Hall or how it’s being delivered.
Short-term rentals
Gibsons’ planning and development committee is recommending council give first and second readings to a new bylaw on short-term rentals.
The committee had already endorsed the overall provisions of the bylaw, but it came back for another vote June 16 after getting a legal review.
The Town’s lawyers said they found no major issues, but made suggestions for simplifying the language.
The bylaw would put short-term rentals through booking services like Airbnb and traditional bed and breakfasts in the same category and require business licences for operators. It would also require the host to remain on site during guest stays.
If council votes in favour of first and second readings, an “electronic public hearing” will be held at 5:30 pm on July 14.
Expanded liquor service areas
Gibsons council has endorsed the pre-approval of applications to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for expanded service areas from all liquor primary and manufacturer licensees.
The provincial initiative is designed to help those establishments recover after having been closed under orders from the provincial health officer.
The change wouldn’t increase overall occupancy and licencees would still have to abide by any public health orders that would require reducing occupancy.
Gibsons has only five businesses that fall into those categories; most of the other licensed establishments are “food primary” and would still have to go through the usual approval process for increased service areas.
Sechelt has a similar number of liquor primary or manufacturer licencees, and the Sunshine Coast Regional District has roughly half a dozen.
The SCRD board has already endorsed an application for an expanded service area from Bruinwood Estate Distillery in Roberts Creek.
