Mike Hicks has stepped down as chair of the Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission.
He served as chair for six years.
Hicks is leaving the chair position, but remaining on the board, as SEAPARC begins construction of a $2.74-million expansion of the leisure facility in Sooke and development of a multi-sport court box in the SunRiver area.
“Sooke and the Juan de Fuca have a wonderful relationship running SEAPARC. It’s a good time for Sooke to take over the chairmanship,” said Hicks, who represents the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area on the Capital Regional District board.
Most of SEAPARC’s funding, about 75 percent, comes from Sooke taxpayers and the remainder from Juan de Fuca. Sooke contributes $2,014,506 to the operation of SEAPARC annually, while the Juan de Fuca kicks in $653,484.
Hick is seriously considering not running for re-election, and said change at SEAPARC is part of the transition.
“I’ve been really proud of being chair all these years and very proud of what we’ve done, including fixing up the ball fields, building the bike park and trails, buying the golf course and our participation in the all-weather turf field.”
Sooke Coun. Al Beddows is the new chair of SEAPARC. Jim Perkins continues as vice-chair.
“My first impression is that things are running extremely well at SEAPARC,” Beddows said. “I don’t see any problems on the horizon.”
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