Should we build a new pool in Sechelt and an arena in Gibsons? That's the 20 million dollar question.
As the political in-fighting and turf protection wars intensify, I ask the Sunshine Coast's politicians to remember that ultimately, this decision is not for them. It will be up to the Sunshine Coast's citizens to decide, in a referendum, whether they can afford this hefty tax bill and whether the facilities are worth the price.
Our elected officials can't make these major recreation projects happen; they can only craft the best possible proposal, put it to a vote and then abide by the will of the people.
But they could easily create political roadblocks to prevent the pool and arena from being built. It's much, much easier to stop a big, costly project than it is to help it go forward. It's particularly easy at the regional district board, where each director has the power to withdraw his or her tax base from the pot, leaving the rest to pay a higher bill.
That power game has already begun.
Roberts Creek director Adrian Belshaw has decided his area would take part in a regional recreation referendum but would opt out of the "piecemeal" approach of separate votes in Sechelt and Gibsons.
West Howe Sound director Bernie Mulligan, whose area includes the tax cash cow of Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP), has threatened to do just the opposite: opt out of the regional referendum and put his substantial tax base into the pot only for the $10.5 million Gibsons community centre and arena. His argument is that it is unfair the other major industry on the Sunshine Coast, the Construction Aggregates Limited (CAL) gravel mine in Sechelt, pays a much smaller property tax than HSPP.
However, Sechelt councillor Ed Steeves countered that CAL has offered in-kind contributions of building material for both the Sechelt pool and the Gibsons arena.
Halfmoon Bay director John Marian argued for the regional referendum, saying it is "fiscally irresponsible not to bring Roberts Creek into the mix." He is questioning whether his area should participate in a pool referendum if the board opts for separate votes.
"If we go separately, I will not agree to fold the [Sechelt] arena in," he said.
Each of the politicians can make a good argument for his position. The problem is, if everyone follows through on their threats to take their tax money and go home, none of the projects will succeed.
All our elected officials have agreed, in principle, to the concept of regional recreation funding and to a referendum on the proposed Sechelt pool and Gibsons arena/community centre. They should now follow through from principle to practice. They need to choose the least expensive and fairest way to fund these projects - and right now, the "sub-regional" scheme encompassing all taxpayers from Secret Cove to Port Mellon looks best by both those measures.
Then leave it up to the people to decide.
