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.