Dear Editor,
There is a rare opportunity available to the City of Castlegar right now. The provincial NDP and federal Liberal governments have made funding available in B.C. for capital projects specifically for Recreation Facilities. The upgrade of the Castlegar Rec Center would be the perfect fit for some of this Grant funding. Our Regional Rec Commission/RDCK just needs to apply before the January deadline and we could be awarded up to 73% of the total cost of the project, up to $13,400,000. That means that for an approximately $18,000,000 project, Castlegar and area would only be on the hook for about $4,000,000. It seems to me that money was the big issue people had with the expansion referendum. So, if we can get this huge chunk of funding with a short term, affordable and minimal tax increase, shouldn’t the we be jumping all over this? Perhaps some changes could be made to the plan to fit this budget? At least a large portion of the upgrade could be done at very little cost to the tax payers?
How is it possible that the Rec Commission cannot get organized and make a decision in time for this grant funding opportunity? The clock is ticking and time is running out. Our facility is aging and it will need an upgrade. Building costs are rising so the longer we wait, the more it will cost. If we don’t apply soon the funding will be gone and there is no guarantee that it will be available again.
As a citizen of Castlegar and a tax payer I support this application and if you do as well, please contact our representatives that sit on the Rec Commission and let them know.
Committee Chair, Bergen Price: Bergenprice@hotmail.com
Bruno Tassone: Mayor@castlegar.ca
Dan Rye: Drye@castlegar.ca
Sheena Albrecht
Castlegar Realty