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Referendum Results
The ballots have been counted, and the referendum results are in – voters have turned down the Cariboo Regional District’s proposal to borrow $35 million for the proposed upgrades at the Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre, with 1,085 “yes” votes and 1,664 "no" votes, with a minor increase in voter turnout.
In light of the outcome, the North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee will review and consider options to address the future needs of the 40-year-old facility.
The Quesnel Arts and Recreation Centre (ARC) is more than a building in our community; it has been the core recreation and gathering space of our community for the last 40 years (1983).
The swimming pool at the ARC lacks certain amenities to reflect our growing and diverse population. A multi-million-dollar investment to make these improvements is required to ensure the facility meets the community’s current and future needs while extending its serviceable life.
Completing all the upgrades simultaneously reduces the financial cost of the upgrades and minimizes the service disruption and impact on facility users caused by construction.
The Cariboo Regional District and the City of Quesnel are proposing major upgrades for the swimming pool and the CRD is seeking authorization to borrow up to $35 million to finance the revitalization of this critical recreation amenity. Eligible voters are being asked to cast their ballot in a referendum on June 10, 2023 to determine whether or not to authorize this borrowing.
In 2022, residents and property owners in the City and CRD participated in a Public Consultation Process for the Pool Upgrade Project.
The public consultation process for the pool upgrade project was active May 13, 2022 –July 31, 2022.
Three public open houses were held in June at the Arts and Recreation Centre, École Red Bluff Lhtako Elementary and Bouchie Lake Hall.
Participation via the online platform Let’s Connect Quesnel was very good with approximately 2,099 unique visitors accessing the site during the program.
People who chose not to participate online had the option of completing a hard copy of the survey. Surveys were available at the public open houses as well as at City Hall, the Arts and Recreation Centre, and the Quesnel CRD office.
1,134 responses to the survey were completed (on-line and hard copies submitted).
The survey results indicate a strong preference for one of the three options:
Option 3: Upgrades and expansion with a waterslide, estimated to cost $34.6 million, was the most popular choice with most respondents selected it as the preferred option (61.8%).
Option 2: Upgrades with expansion, estimated to cost $30.7 million, was the second most popular choice (19.5%).
Option 1: Upgrades with no expansion, estimated to cost $12.6 million, and “I Do Not Support Any Option” tied for the third most popular choice (9.3%).
Referendum Results
The ballots have been counted, and the referendum results are in – voters have turned down the Cariboo Regional District’s proposal to borrow $35 million for the proposed upgrades at the Quesnel and District Arts and Recreation Centre, with 1,085 “yes” votes and 1,664 "no" votes, with a minor increase in voter turnout.
In light of the outcome, the North Cariboo Joint Advisory Committee will review and consider options to address the future needs of the 40-year-old facility.
The Quesnel Arts and Recreation Centre (ARC) is more than a building in our community; it has been the core recreation and gathering space of our community for the last 40 years (1983).
The swimming pool at the ARC lacks certain amenities to reflect our growing and diverse population. A multi-million-dollar investment to make these improvements is required to ensure the facility meets the community’s current and future needs while extending its serviceable life.
Completing all the upgrades simultaneously reduces the financial cost of the upgrades and minimizes the service disruption and impact on facility users caused by construction.
The Cariboo Regional District and the City of Quesnel are proposing major upgrades for the swimming pool and the CRD is seeking authorization to borrow up to $35 million to finance the revitalization of this critical recreation amenity. Eligible voters are being asked to cast their ballot in a referendum on June 10, 2023 to determine whether or not to authorize this borrowing.
In 2022, residents and property owners in the City and CRD participated in a Public Consultation Process for the Pool Upgrade Project.
The public consultation process for the pool upgrade project was active May 13, 2022 –July 31, 2022.
Three public open houses were held in June at the Arts and Recreation Centre, École Red Bluff Lhtako Elementary and Bouchie Lake Hall.
Participation via the online platform Let’s Connect Quesnel was very good with approximately 2,099 unique visitors accessing the site during the program.
People who chose not to participate online had the option of completing a hard copy of the survey. Surveys were available at the public open houses as well as at City Hall, the Arts and Recreation Centre, and the Quesnel CRD office.
1,134 responses to the survey were completed (on-line and hard copies submitted).
The survey results indicate a strong preference for one of the three options:
Option 3: Upgrades and expansion with a waterslide, estimated to cost $34.6 million, was the most popular choice with most respondents selected it as the preferred option (61.8%).
Option 2: Upgrades with expansion, estimated to cost $30.7 million, was the second most popular choice (19.5%).
Option 1: Upgrades with no expansion, estimated to cost $12.6 million, and “I Do Not Support Any Option” tied for the third most popular choice (9.3%).
