Get Involved

Thank you to everyone who voted in the June 23 referendum. The unofficial results can be viewed here. The official results will be available once the RDCK Chief Elections Officer has verified the results and submitted them to the Board of Directors.

Have your say: Voter approval to move forward will be sought by assent voting (referendum) on June 23, 2018, on an area-by-area basis within the proposed service area. This means that in order for the referendum to be approved, 50% + 1 of the voters who voted must approve the question; and this must be the case in each of the separate votes, i.e. City of Castlegar, Electoral Area I and Electoral Area J. Information about the referendum will be shared with voters in Castlegar and Areas I and J over the next few weeks.

Learn more about the June 23 referendum, read the public notices and review the draft bylaws on the RDCK website.

As planning for enhancements for the Castlegar & District Community Complex (CDCC) has progressed, we have consulted with the community along the way. Residents from Area I, Area J, and Castlegar were consulted as part of the master planning process, and have been providing their input to help determine design priorities throughout this past year. Thank you to those who have already provided your feedback—your input is important and we appreciate your involvement.

How has public feedback influenced decision-making so far?

The previous consultation was via a questionnaire, which was mailed to residents in summer 2017. The findings from this survey showed that two-thirds (67%) of respondents are in favour of a major enhancement to the CDCC. A single preferred option for the scope of the enhancements was not clearly identified, although twenty-eight percent (28%) favoured Option A and thirty-nine percent (39%) preferred Option B. Read more about the original Option A and Option B packages on the Current Status page.

The Castlegar & District Recreation Commission wanted to get further community feedback about the potential expansion. To achieve this, in December 2017, residents were invited to complete a survey to provide further information about potential enhancements to the Castlegar & District Community Complex. This survey asked residents whether or not they would support Option B if asked in a referendum. The Recreation Commission focused on Option B because it received stronger support in the previous questionnaire. Survey results showed that 62% said they would support Option B, and 38% said they would not.

The Recreation Commission reviewed the results and discussed next steps. At its meeting on February 15, 2018, the RDCK Board of Directors considered two bylaws pertaining to the proposed “Option B” enhancements. The bylaws were prepared to establish a new recreation service to replace the two existing services and encompass the proposed facility enhancements, and to start the process to authorize the borrowing of $32,370,000 in building costs. The RDCK Board later approved a resolution from the Recreation Commission to reduce the amount of borrowing to $22 million. The Commission would pursue grants and other sources of funding for the remaining cost of the project.

Both bylaws passed third reading, which means they can proceed to provincial approval prior to a public process to seek voter approval by means of assent voting, or referendum. The RDCK Board resolved that the referendum be decided on an area by area basis within the proposed service area. The referendum is planned to be held on June 23, 2018. Residents of Castlegar and Areas I and J who are eligible to vote will be advised of the timing and the process soon.

Open Houses and Presentations

• Tuesday, May 29 – 7:00 pm – Castlegar Complex
• Wednesday, May 30 – 7:00 pm – Robson Hall
• Thursday, May 31 – 7:00 pm Brilliant Cultural Centre

Presentations start at 7:30 pm