4 - Wednesday, September 10, 1997 — North Shore News Parkgate Centre plan stumbles ong Council calls for public input forum to be held on Oct.1 By Martin Millerchip Contributing Writer THE oft- promised Parkgate Community Centre should be ready for occupation by the summer of 1999. But who gets to occupy which portion of the building is still the subject of continu- ing debate. “By the rate we're going, I'm going to ke a senior by the time we get this building,” said Coun. Lisa Muri Monday night as both seniors and day- care proponents lobbied coun- cil for guaranteed space in the centre. The need for a community centre in the Seymour area was first confirmed 13 years ago in the 1984 Parks and Recreation Master Plan. Since then the proposed centre has been the subject of two community recreation surveys, a more recent update, several preliminary site plans, one set of very expensive archi- tectural concepts, a bare- bones, big-box alternative concept and the possibility of public/private partnership. But the price tag and sub- sequent operating costs have always ensured that the cash- strapped district. council has consistently postponed a com- mitment to build. Funds to the tune of $8 million were approved for Parkgate in a municipal-wide referendum during the last municipal election, although it is likely that the tactic of a pre- senting a global budget for several big ticker items across the municipality was the rea- son it passed. The referendum = gave council a mandate to borrow the funds for the community centre, but if more than $8 million should be deemed nec- essary it cannot be borrowed withour provincial approval. Council confirmed Monday that it plans to live within the original budget despite inflationary factors that come into play as the time line lengthens. he $8 million referendum figure will be an all inclusive top price for the project cover- ing consultants, disburse- ments, furnishings, equipment and taxes. A project manager will be hired to to work with a District/Recreation Coun. Janice Harris ... won't deep-six childcare without a public process. Commission — management team. The fees and expenses involved would form part of the $8 million budget. But what goes into the fin- ished community centre is still causing debate. The option that was pre- sented to the municipality dur- ing the referendum included 4,640 sq. ft. dedicated to infant, toddler and two-and-a- half co five-year-old child care. This was in line with the Seymour Community Facility Review Committee’s 1993 recommendation that top pri- ority be given to the construc- tion of the — Pazkgate Community Complex, includ- ‘to, TOTEM LEASE INDY SPECIALS "Delere ra, ones: 1: ; ¥/ CONES RE arene LH havi Bt? Coun. Lisa Muri ... she will be a senior before Parkgate is built. ing a child care wing. But following a May 21, 1997 council session, two dif- ferent design options were requested from . Both eliminated the dedi- ES Lake cated child care space and an indoor play space of 620 sq. ft. in order to add: 2 dedicated seniors’ centre ee either 1,850 or 1,600 sq. ft Ma community police office of 1,000 sq. ft.; and 5 a weight room of 2,500 sq. Other small variations between options two and three relate to the space allo- cated to the remaining babysitting room, lounge and community meeting rooms. Option three reduces the building's footprint but adds a second storey. Council voted Monday to refer the design options to a public input process that would culminate in 2 public forum to be held at the Ron Andrews recreation centre October 1. Coun. Ernie Crist argued esort against the move, saying thal council would learn nothing new and only delay the proces ther. “If we keep on debating this, $8 million will buy eve: less,” said Crist. The project architect ‘conjieam firmed to council that public consultation and staff report would close the window o: any opportunity for site repa ration this year, add approximately four months tq the projected opening date The heavy clay on the Parkgata site makes wet-weather con struction impossible. Crist proposed that council adopt Option 2 (no daycare immediately and get’ on wit the project at once. Responded Coun. Janice Harris: “I am not about: tq deep-six the child « care withoug a public process.” A three-three deadlock .o' coundl tay Chats notion fall So Okanagan li Time is Fun Time in the Okanagan - aT 3 Days **3 days-2 nights Sun.-Wed. Check-in $260:80 "°3 days-2 nights Fri.-Sat.. Check-in 'Sp ecial 7D Nie hts 49. 95° Full Price Special Offer Valid Sept. 5 - Oct. 31/97 * Guests on this package wil! participate in a tour of the resort and a: 120 minute vacation ownership presentation. Enjoy the great fall! Wine Festival, Winery Tours, Fall Golf and . Tennis, Marina and Riding Stables on - site Ul September 21. 1997 146766. $49.95 saso0e *99.95 a ‘sone FeSETIC tions apply.