Editor:
Regarding directors Lee and Henderson’s comments at the SCRD board about the joint use agreement between the SCRD and SD 46 (CR, January 27). It was offensive for Director Lee to disregard the fact that his area has an aquatic centre and fire emergency water supply courtesy of a decades-old joint use agreement between the two organizations. Imagine the tax increase to Area A residents if they paid full costs for a pool operating in a school. Imagine their anger if it closed because the elected representative didn’t respect a long-standing partnership with their local school board.
Director Henderson states that funding for the joint use agreement is a subsidy to SD46, but he doesn’t mention the access to 13 school gymnasiums for evening recreational programming by the SCRD.
These facilities, 13 schools, two ice rinks and three aquatic centres, are owned by Sunshine Coast residents. Staff at the SCRD and SD46 worked hard to ensure access for students and adults alike via a mutually beneficial joint use agreement. I’m sure parents would be outraged to learn the SCRD would rather each student pay an entry fee every time their teacher takes them for a skate or a swim. Those adults enjoying recreation leagues at SD46 sites would not welcome a facility fee added to their registration because the SCRD board didn’t understand the purpose and benefits of the agreement.
Directors Lee and Henderson need to do some history homework and visit Miss Manners’ class as well. Any student leader could tell them that good decisions are made based on respect for past efforts and collaboration with other elected bodies.
The citizens of the Sunshine Coast deserve better.
Betty Baxter, Roberts Creek
