1947 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

The Y and city joining forces to build a single really nice new rec centre seems like a fairly obvious solution.

Which is why it will probably never happen.

[Bingo]

We’ve never been in a situation (at least not in recent history) where a local Y and a municipal pool are both working towards new facilities. The fact we can’t use that to our collective advantage is such a shame.

 

Why...it should be crystal clear.

[Jackerbie]

Our Y membership is $55 a month for the whole family and we can use any of the 3 Ys in the CRD.  That includes unlimited access of the pool, gym, fitness classes, rackets downtown, and kid programs.  If we wanted to have our kids in additional activities like swimming lessons it would be $80 a month.  We were paying more than $80 for just the two sets of swimming lessons before joining the Y.

 

For an individual, it's $30 a month.  It's dirt cheap.

 

Definitely a bargain compared to the H2O Centre in Kelowna (owned by the City of Kelowna and operated by the YMCA).

 

Adult membership is $52/mo, and family membership appears to be $146/mo (the website does not give an actual figure). H2O Membership is not valid at the Kelowna Family Y or the Kelowna Downtown Y.

 

Drop in rate is $11 for an adult and $28 for a family.

[Victoria Watcher]

again the city can likely negotiate any rate they want but it's gonna depend on how much they want to subsidize every visit.  it'll just be a clear figure compared to them not really being able to measure the current subsidy precisely.

[rjag]

Heres an excellent article on the costs of creating parking. My friend who works at Impark in TO sent it and says the data is very accurate. Should be something that they can look at when it comes to discussing building a multi level garage at the Arena to accommodate the pool parking etc

 

http://canadianparki...spital-parking/

 

Edited by rjag, 10 September 2018 - 05:28 PM.

[On the Level]

The Y and city joining forces to build a single really nice new rec centre seems like a fairly obvious solution.

 

Except you have to look at who on council benefited from election contributions from CUPE, who broke CRD negotiations so CUPE could negotiate directly with Victoria, then you can imagine who would pull no punches against the Y for CUPE's benefit.

 

Hint....the same people that are building a $80M+ pool with no budget or parking.

[Jacques Cadé]

In today's paper, Grumpy Taxpayer$ say the pool will cost $90 million: https://www.timescol...lion-1.23426792

 

Most of the article repeats what has been discussed above. But a doozy comes at the end, when mayor Helps is asked if there's a problem with City staff not providing Council the new reports showing increases in the cost of building the pool:
 

She said there was no reason for staff to provide council with the technical reports prepared by Advicas and Ross Templeton.

“The quantity surveyors are there to help us. Exactly that. Council has given a mandate for $69.4 million. The quantity surveyors are there to help staff make sure they meet council’s financial objective for the project.”

 

Er, isn't this strangely similar to Dean Fortin defending staff decisions to hide bad financial news about the bridge project just before the 2011 election? http://www.timescolo...nformed-1.99448

Edited by Jacques Cadé, 11 September 2018 - 08:06 AM.

[Mike K.]

It is unfathomable to me how the City can maintain a $69.4 million budget when two independent consultants have priced the $35.1 million (solely) pool portion of the $69.4 budget at $8.8 and $11.1 million above $35.1 million.

 

Did I hear the CFAX piece correctly this morning, that the slush fund within the $69.4 million is $24 million (35%).

[Victoria Watcher]

in the article helps says it’s 50%

good project management does not mean you price in massive contingencies and then thank yourself when you do not spend up to their limits.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 September 2018 - 08:41 AM.

[spanky123]

It is unfathomable to me how the City can maintain a $69.4 million budget when two independent consultants have priced the $35.1 million (solely) pool portion of the $69.4 budget at $8.8 and $11.1 million above $35.1 million.

 

Did I hear the CFAX piece correctly this morning, that the slush fund within the $69.4 million is $24 million (35%).

 

If you read the Advicas report, the project estimate is $80M even with the contingencies vastly reduced. Bear in mind that we haven't even completed a design yet let alone dug a hole, contingencies are there for a good reason.

[Nparker]

It is unfathomable to me how the City can maintain a $69.4 million budget when two independent consultants have priced the $35.1 million (solely) pool portion of the $69.4 budget at $8.8 and $11.1 million above $35.1 million...

It is unfathomable to me how much of the CoV's time and resources seem to be taken up on a project that is anywhere from $50-$80 million unfunded. Until money is secured from outside sources or the citizens of Victoria have agreed to borrow the needed amount, this project should be shelved. It irks me no end that the powers that be are treating the project as a fait accompli. 

[Mike K.]

Keep in mind that the City of Victoria is gearing up to spend $35.9 million for the new firehall.

[Nparker]

And how about the millions of dollars that is required to update the CoV's aging subterranean infrastructure?

[Bingo]

It is unfathomable to me how the City can maintain a $69.4 million budget when two independent consultants have priced the $35.1 million (solely) pool portion of the $69.4 budget at $8.8 and $11.1 million above $35.1 million.

 

Did I hear the CFAX piece correctly this morning, that the slush fund within the $69.4 million is $24 million (35%).

 

It smells like another referendum to me.

[spanky123]

It smells like another referendum to me.

 

The only referendum that folks will be permitted to participate in will be next month!

[Nparker]

The only referendum that folks will be permitted to participate in will be next month!

If federal/provincial money is not secured, surely the CoV can't commit to an expenditure of this size ($50 million+) without getting the taxpayers' approval.

[spanky123]

If federal/provincial money is not secured, surely the CoV can't commit to an expenditure of this size ($50 million+) without getting the taxpayers' approval.

 

Sure they can. They will do it the same way as they are getting funding for the firehall. They will take the money from other reserve funds (the firehall is being paid for out of the debt reserve as an example).

[Nparker]

The CoV has $90-$120 million in reserve funds? If so, no one in the city should have to property taxes again until at least 2030.

[Victoria Watcher]

they can just propose borrowing and make people collect signares if they oppose.  counter-petition.

[Nparker]

they can just propose borrowing and make people collect signares if they oppose.  counter-petition.

In other words, the coward's way.