To the editor:
As chair of the 100 Mile House & District Soccer Association, I urge people to vote in favour of the changes to Recreation Bylaw 4837 on Sept. 7.
The facilities referenced in Peter Reid’s July 31 letter benefit the entire South Cariboo, and this change will help ensure they continue to operate. The current bylaw is limited to providing funding for the arena, the curling rink and the ball fields.
Under the new wording, all recreational and arts/culture services in the South Cariboo, including Martin Exeter Hall and the soccer fields, would fall under the bylaw.
More than 80% of the soccer players registered to play this year live outside the District boundary, and most attendees at Martin Exeter Hall events are from outside the District.
Why should taxpayers within town have to pay 100% of the costs for facilities that are used by the greater population?
As for Mr. Reid’s assertion that the District could contract out the maintenance of the soccer fields for “considerably less,” he is deliberately ignoring the fact the District’s collective agreement prevents this option, unless their staff is unaffected. There are qualified people on staff, and the District cannot contract out that work.
Mr. Reid and I have both attended joint committee meetings on this subject. As stated at those meetings, once capital upgrades have been completed at the hall, its operating costs will be far less than the $230,000 he believes they’ll pay for it to stay open.
The goal is not to pay out all of that money for just the soccer fields and the hall – the long-term vision is to pay for more programs.
We provide a soccer program for over 400 local youth annually. The cost to pay the entire $70,000 in operating costs would increase our fees by at least $175 per child annually.
We have worked hard to help build these fields, and we are not asking for a handout. We are asking for people to think long term – these facilities are vital to keeping families in the area, and for attracting new residents.
Jennifer Appleby
100 Mile House
