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McMahon proposes ‘seed funding’ for Gibsons rec centre solar array project

Utility bills are high and the roof is wide, so why not spend some money to shellac the Gibsons and Area Community Centre with solar panels? That’s the pitch Elphinstone director Donna McMahon gave at a July 30 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD)
Donna McMahon
Director Donna McMahon.

Utility bills are high and the roof is wide, so why not spend some money to shellac the Gibsons and Area Community Centre with solar panels?

That’s the pitch Elphinstone director Donna McMahon gave at a July 30 Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) committee meeting where directors discussed what projects to move ahead with using gas tax funds.

“It’s the largest roof we have,” said McMahon, also noting electricity costs are high to operate the facility. She suggested the SCRD could use the funds to provide “seed funding” for a solar array, adding the Sunshine Coast Community Solar Association is “eager” to partner on the project. “I think we could get this sucker off the ground.”

The solar association recently installed a solar array on the roof of the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre and wants to facilitate a solar installation on the Gibsons rec centre roof.  A subcommittee has been established for the purpose and is “committed to making it happen,” association secretary Gayle Neilson told Coast Reporter.

At a board meeting later that day, rural directors voted in favour of McMahon’s motion for staff to assess the feasibility of using Gas Tax Community Works Funds for a solar array installation.

Another project raised during the meeting was the creation of a pump track mountain bike circuit at Sprockids Park in Langdale.

Directors voted on a motion by Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize for staff to explore the possibility of collaborating with the Coast Mountain Bike Trail Association to build the track, and to confirm whether gas tax funds could be spent on the project.

Gas taxes are supplied to all local governments in the province, with amounts based on a per capita funding formula.

The SCRD was expected to receive two instalments totalling $664,548 in late July. Payments were accelerated as part of the province’s COVID-19 response plan, according to a staff report.

The total available funding for eligible SCRD projects is $6,391,233, most of which hasn’t been committed to any projects.

Directors also voted for staff to report back to the board regarding a policy for the administration of the gas tax funds.