If you have horses, you’d best be holding them. The board of directors at the Cowichan Valley Regional District has opted not to rubber-stamp the reversion of the Island Savings Centre back to Cowichan Community Centre, instead referring the issue back to the Island Savings Centre Commission.
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“Before we jump to just go back to the old name, I had a thought…that we might consider consulting with Cowichan Tribes and coming up with a new name that would better reflect the cultural diversity of our communities,” said Ladysmith mayor Aaron Stone. “I appreciate the desire to go back to something maybe recognizable but I just thought that maybe we could be a little more creative if we’re going to be spending money to re-brand the centre. I think some consultation might be warranted.”
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Lake Cowichan director Tim McGonigle agreed, calling the ISC Commission’s recommendation “premature”.
“It came from the commission and it is ultimately the decision of the board to endorse or look at other options,” he said. “There was some discussion about not only collaborating but seeking some more advice from our friends at Cowichan Tribes about the possibility of renaming that facility. I would like to look at other options.”
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The naming rights to the James Street facility purchased 10 years ago by Island Savings Credit Union officially expired at the end of October, 2018.
Following the CVRD board meeting, board chair Ian Morrison explained that it was his belief the directors were not comfortable with not having all of the information regarding how the ISC Comission came to its recommendation.
“It’s a bit of a tough one because I think there might have been a few folks that were surprised at the recommendation that came to the board and we didn’t have the folks that were key players in that recommendation present in the boardroom so there wasn’t the abillity for a full-throated explanation to be provided to the board to either approve or deny,” Morrison said.
North Cowichan mayor Al Siebring was present at the comission meeting but absent from the board meeting and while Area D director Lori Iannidinardo was present at the board meeting, she was absent from the comission meeting. Morrison said the board simply desired more information and they weren’t sure if the commitee had investigated the cultural component, he said.
sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.comLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
