DISTRICT of North Vancouver councillors are worrying over financial constraints that could affect the William Griffin/ Delbrook Community recreation centre replacement project.
"This project will be limited by our financial parameters and our financial capacity," said Coun. Robin Hicks, reminding attendees at the Sept. 12 council meeting of the current economic environment under which the centre will be built.
Based on preliminary assessments and discussion, the new centre, a proposed 81,000 square-foot facility set to be constructed on the current William Griffin site, will likely include a swimming pool and courts for racquetball and squash. The centre may also host childcare and childminding services, the activities of Capilano Community Services Society, as well as other community services, such as community policing.
Though the goal of last week's discussion was to clarify the program and space plans for the new centre, cost quickly became the topic of central debate. Couns. Doug MacKay-Dunn and Alan Nixon made recommendations to ensure that the public was made aware of the potential cost of programs and services.
"I am glad we are doing what we are doing, but it should have had some gross dollars attached to it," said Nixon. "To open up the discussion to the public and to raise their expectations about what's going to be available at the new William Griffin recreation centre, without them know what the cost implications will be, is - to my way of thinking - the wrong way to do it."
According to Coun. Lisa Muri, the inclusion of a pool will serve as the largest financial consideration when it comes to budgeting for the new centre.
"That will be a big difference in how the cost is going to be allocated," she said, expressing confidence that the community will have a say in the matter.
The next step of the planning process is to develop a more detailed program and space plan, and look into corporate sponsorship and government grant opportunities to assist with the design and costing stage of the replacement project.
