The results of a telephone poll of a sampling of taxpayers potentially affected by a proposed new aquatic centre will be reviewed at the South Cariboo Joint Committee meeting on Oct. 21.
District of 100 Mile House Mayor Mitch Campsall says consideration of the future of the project now lays in the hands of that committee, which is made up of politicians from the municipality and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) and conducted the pool poll through a private survey agency in September.
However, with 48 per cent of the 400 poll respondents in favour of the proposal and 40 per cent against it, Campsall adds he doesn’t envision the project going to referendum in its current state.
“It’s actually negative; that’s the way I look at it. If we were going to go to a referendum, it would have had to be way higher than that.”
A local society, that has been promoting and lobbying for an aquatic centre for years, has issued an initial statement about the poll results.
“We are very pleased that people have received the information from the South Cariboo Aquatic Society and took the opportunity to answer the survey.
“At this time, we find the results are inconclusive and we require more time to analyze the results and meet with the South Cariboo Joint Committee before commenting on any future plans.”
While 62 per cent of respondents indicated someone in their household would use a local pool if it was built within the next few years, Campsall says the disparity between this response and the 40 per cent willing to support it financially doesn’t surprise him.
“It’s like anything – ‘if it’s here, I’ll use it; do I want to pay for it? No, I don’t’. That’s what that is telling us.”
Of the total respondents, 87 per cent were aware of the aquatic centre proposal, which Campsall notes was somewhat evidenced in some heated debates when the proposal was discussed at public meetings.
The mayor adds he thinks the results of the professionally conducted telephone poll are valid.
(The report and CRD summary can be read online at www.cariboord.bc.ca.)
Since 38 per cent of those against the proposal stated they are undecided if they support a less costly pool project, Campsall explains he “totally agrees” with the CRD’s initial analysis that more details would be required for residents to make an informed decision on that.
He notes any decisions will be based on evidenced support, or lack thereof, by the taxpayers affected.
“It’s something that has got to be a democratic process. We always look at everything, but for now, I can’t see it going anywhere.”
