Most residents would support the full package of enhancements to the Castlegar & District Community Complex in a referendum, according to the Recreation Commission’s most recent survey.
The survey asked residents of Castlegar, Area I and Area J if they would support Option B enhancements if asked to in a referendum and 62 per cent of those who completed the survey said yes.
Castlegar residents represented 67 per cent of survey respondents and 63 per cent voted in favour of Option B.
Area I residents represented 11 per cent of respondents and only 49 per cent voted yes, while Area J residents represented 22 per cent of respondents and 67 per cent voted yes.
“Throughout this process, it has been important for the community to have their say on potential upgrades to their community complex. I would like to thank everyone for providing their input in this survey or through other consultation points along the way,” Lawrence Chernoff, chair of the Castlegar & District Recreation Commission, said in a release sent out by the Regional District of Central Kootenay. “The results give us confidence to move the project along to the next stage.”
The release stated that “the form and timing of a potential referendum will be considered by the Recreation Commission at their next meeting.”
The Recreation Commission also acknowledged that not all residents support Option B.
“The Commission understands there are some residents who do not support Option B, and we appreciate you taking the time to tell us your views,” said Chernoff. “As we proceed through a potential referendum process and beyond, we are committed to continuing to gather feedback from the community and to understanding the diversity of opinions.”
Option B includes necessary improvements to arena storage and change rooms, a social hub/lobby and office expansion, a fitness area expansion, a new leisure pool, a second sheet of ice at the Complex, plus team rooms and a lobby extension.
Option A — which did not include the second sheet of ice, the team rooms and the lobby extension — received support from only 28 per cent of respondents to the Recreation Commission’s first survey regarding potential enhancements, while Option B received support from 39 per cent.
Read more: Survey shows support for Castlegar Complex upgrade
For more information about potential enhancements to the Castlegar & District Community Complex, visit myactivityhub.ca.