The Regional District of Nanaimo has officially confirmed that the amendment to include our area in the Ravensong Pool funding has been withdrawn. This outcome reflects the persistent efforts of our community to ensure fair and equitable taxation for all property owners. We should remain attentive to future board proceedings …
May 2, 2023
Final supporters
We are a group of concerned Nanoose Bay property owners who are against the proposed Regional District of Nanaimo [RDN] Bylaw Amendment 899.02. This proposed bylaw will significantly increase the property taxes in Nanoose Bay [Electoral Area E] to help fund the operation and $31M of capital cost to renovate and expand the Ravensong Pool Facility in Qualicum Beach.
In 1993 following a referendum vote of the affected areas, the RDN passed Bylaw No. 899 to establish and operate a swimming pool facility [the Facility] in Qualicum Beach, known as Ravensong. The Facility currently serves Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Electoral Areas F, G, & H with those areas participating in the funding. It did not include Electoral Area E mainly due to the distance to the Facility and the opposition from Electoral E property owners.
In 2018 through 2020, the RDN Board initiated discussions about the need to renovate and expand the Ravensong Pool. In 2021, the RDN Board voted in favour of amending Bylaw 899 to include Electoral Area E in funding of the Facility’s operating cost and capital expenses for the proposed improvements [Amendment Bylaw 899.02].
The renovation and expansion costs are currently expected to be approximately $31,000,000. The RDN’s latest proposed taxation formula has Nanoose Bay property owners paying 12% of the Facility’s operating and capital expenses, while according to the latest (2015) user survey, only 3.9% of the pool users are from Nanoose Bay.
For example, if this was to take effect in 2023, each home in Nanoose Bay would see their property taxes increase by $97.00 for each $1,000,000 of assessed value (and this would grow annually as costs increase). Nanoose Bay, with the highest assessed property values in the region, would be heavily impacted by this formula while other currently participating Electoral Areas would benefit from a tax decrease as a result of including Electoral Area E in the funding model.
Tell the RDN, you do not agree to any tax participation for Ravensong Pool, or being a forced participant in Bylaw 899.02. If you are a Nanoose Bay property owner please sign this petition telling the RDN to rescind Bylaw 899.02.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 22, 2023
February 3, 2023
The feedback I continue to receive confirms that many residents feel excluded from the decision process regarding these tax increases. I am currently reviewing the official correspondence from the district to determine the most effective way to challenge the proposed funding formula. Your willingness to engage with this issue shows how much our community values financial fairness.
February 1, 2023
Reaching one hundred signatures highlights just how many neighbors share this concern regarding the proposed tax burden. It is encouraging to see our community align on the importance of fiscal fairness for Nanoose Bay property owners.
Reached 100 supporters
February 1, 2023
305 Comments
The property owners of Nanoose Bay were not included in the original referendum to build the Ravensong Pool Facility in 1993. I oppose the Bylaw Ammendment 899.02I ask the RDN Board to reconsider the motion and allow us to go to referendum. Gary Barker
Please rescind bylaw899.02. With this bylaw Nanoose Bay property owners would pay a disproportionate tax to support Ravensong Pool. This looks like someone’s bright idea to raise money for the pool from wealthy homeowners , even though they do not use the pool. Shame!
Bylaw 899.02 should be rescinded. The inclusion of Electoral Area E to fund Ravening makes no sense. A User pays system is the only sensible basis for the few individuals in this area who might use the pool. Our taxes are already ridiculously high without adding Ravening.
I strongly disagree with the unethical and unfair process of attempted gerrymandering. I've been to meetings and read the information. It's not a transparent process but pure manipulation to access funds from people who do not use or want the pool. I call for a process audit.
We already have a pool in the area which my disabled husband and I have used regularly for the past 10 years. If we didn't have this pool it would be faster for us to go to the pool in Nanaimo rather than drive to Qualicum.
How could this extremely talented duo who has added so much into the world of music have not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ?
Very unfair
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The Regional District of Nanaimo has officially confirmed that the amendment to include our area in the Ravensong Pool funding has been withdrawn. This outcome reflects the persistent efforts of our community to ensure fair and equitable taxation for all property owners. We should remain attentive to future board proceedings …
May 2, 2023
Final supporters
We are a group of concerned Nanoose Bay property owners who are against the proposed Regional District of Nanaimo [RDN] Bylaw Amendment 899.02. This proposed bylaw will significantly increase the property taxes in Nanoose Bay [Electoral Area E] to help fund the operation and $31M of capital cost to renovate and expand the Ravensong Pool Facility in Qualicum Beach.
In 1993 following a referendum vote of the affected areas, the RDN passed Bylaw No. 899 to establish and operate a swimming pool facility [the Facility] in Qualicum Beach, known as Ravensong. The Facility currently serves Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Electoral Areas F, G, & H with those areas participating in the funding. It did not include Electoral Area E mainly due to the distance to the Facility and the opposition from Electoral E property owners.
In 2018 through 2020, the RDN Board initiated discussions about the need to renovate and expand the Ravensong Pool. In 2021, the RDN Board voted in favour of amending Bylaw 899 to include Electoral Area E in funding of the Facility’s operating cost and capital expenses for the proposed improvements [Amendment Bylaw 899.02].
The renovation and expansion costs are currently expected to be approximately $31,000,000. The RDN’s latest proposed taxation formula has Nanoose Bay property owners paying 12% of the Facility’s operating and capital expenses, while according to the latest (2015) user survey, only 3.9% of the pool users are from Nanoose Bay.
For example, if this was to take effect in 2023, each home in Nanoose Bay would see their property taxes increase by $97.00 for each $1,000,000 of assessed value (and this would grow annually as costs increase). Nanoose Bay, with the highest assessed property values in the region, would be heavily impacted by this formula while other currently participating Electoral Areas would benefit from a tax decrease as a result of including Electoral Area E in the funding model.
Tell the RDN, you do not agree to any tax participation for Ravensong Pool, or being a forced participant in Bylaw 899.02. If you are a Nanoose Bay property owner please sign this petition telling the RDN to rescind Bylaw 899.02.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
February 22, 2023
February 3, 2023
The feedback I continue to receive confirms that many residents feel excluded from the decision process regarding these tax increases. I am currently reviewing the official correspondence from the district to determine the most effective way to challenge the proposed funding formula. Your willingness to engage with this issue shows how much our community values financial fairness.
February 1, 2023
Reaching one hundred signatures highlights just how many neighbors share this concern regarding the proposed tax burden. It is encouraging to see our community align on the importance of fiscal fairness for Nanoose Bay property owners.
Reached 100 supporters
February 1, 2023
305 Comments
If rdn can’t provide area E people with safe drinkable water, then a pool is the last thing they should be considering. We pay enough in taxes so stop trying to burden us with more taxes for items that are not necessary or needed.
The property owners of Nanoose Bay were not included in the original referendum to build the Ravensong Pool Facility in 1993. I oppose the Bylaw Ammendment 899.02I ask the RDN Board to reconsider the motion and allow us to go to referendum. Gary Barker
Please rescind bylaw899.02. With this bylaw Nanoose Bay property owners would pay a disproportionate tax to support Ravensong Pool. This looks like someone’s bright idea to raise money for the pool from wealthy homeowners , even though they do not use the pool. Shame!
Bylaw 899.02 should be rescinded. The inclusion of Electoral Area E to fund Ravening makes no sense. A User pays system is the only sensible basis for the few individuals in this area who might use the pool. Our taxes are already ridiculously high without adding Ravening.
I strongly disagree with the unethical and unfair process of attempted gerrymandering. I've been to meetings and read the information. It's not a transparent process but pure manipulation to access funds from people who do not use or want the pool. I call for a process audit.
We already have a pool in the area which my disabled husband and I have used regularly for the past 10 years. If we didn't have this pool it would be faster for us to go to the pool in Nanaimo rather than drive to Qualicum.
How could this extremely talented duo who has added so much into the world of music have not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ?
Very unfair
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If rdn can’t provide area E people with safe drinkable water, then a pool is the last thing they should be considering. We pay enough in taxes so stop trying to burden us with more taxes for items that are not necessary or needed.