If you have concerns about the city’s plan to borrow millions to fund the New Westminster Aquatic and Community Centre, now is the time to speak up.
Earlier this year, the city initiated a process related to the funding of the future aquatic and community centre, which is estimated to cost from $103 to $114 million, depending on its final design. While the city has applied for grants from senior levels of government, it’s also in the midst of an alternate approval process that would allow authorities the city to borrow up to $93.6 million to build the facility.
“It is important to note an LA bylaw provides the authority to borrow, it does not commit the city to borrowing the full amount,” said a report to council. “Having the LA bylaw identify the maximum amount will provide project flexibility until such time as there is certainty around the award of grant funding for the NWACC project.”
The city is in the midst of an “alternative approval process” in which electors are being asked if they are opposed to the proposed loan authorization bylaw. With the number of eligible electors in New Westminster estimated to be 50,616, the city is able to approve the bylaw unless 10 per cent (5,061) voters sign a form indicating they don’t want the city to proceed with the bylaw.
The deadline to complete alternative approval process elector response forms and return them to city hall is Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m.
In addition to the New Westminster Aquatic and Community Centre, the city has also taken steps to borrow money to build a new electrical substation in Queensborough.
The city received 31 responses related to a recent alternative approval process that authorizes the city to borrow up to $30 million to build a new electrical substation in Queensborough. That fell far short of the 5,061 electors needed to stop the city from borrowing the funds.
