The City of Maple Ridge, with respect to borrowing up to $110 million for new parks and recreation facilities, in paying for them, wants to bundle projects together.
It’s not decided yet how whichever projects are supported would be paid for, although it is inevitable that money will come out of taxpayers’ pockets.
Nor has it been decided how taxpayers would vote on what to support.
But council is toying the idea of grouping projects together as cable providers do with channels.
A pool could be grouped with an indoor track, basketball courts and curling rink.
A new museum could be paired with an arts theatre.
New soccer fields would go with a covered stadium.
Renovating and expanding the Leisure Centre, building new community halls and dog parks are other projects to be voted on.
No ranking system has yet been formulated.
It doesn’t appear to be an all or nothing venture.
All of the projects are listed in the city’s parks master plan, passed in 2011.
It makes sense to group projects together, especially if they would share a roof.
Loose costs have been attached to each.
For example, a new museum would cost about $11 million, whereas a new pool and curling rink facility with an indoor track could carry a price tag of $70 million, as well as $2 million in annual operating costs.
Clearly, residents need to know what the implications will be under each scenario on their annual tax bills.
No doubt it will cost less to build the projects today rather than tomorrow.
Given the magnitude, council needs to go to voters and ask for permission.
A referendum is the way to go.
–The News