Option 1 – User Agreement with the Developer

The BBCA would receive limited access to the Community Hall through an ongoing use agreement. The developer maintains that they will place an emphasis on community-minded programming, but financial viability will be a priority.

The community will be granted 12 bookings annually at no cost to the BBCA, other than a cleaning fee to be determined. The proposal includes dates for two Christmas events, Easter, Halloween, a summer fundraising event, BBVFD event, as well as several community update meetings held throughout the year. Dates will be confirmed at the beginning of the calendar year, with the assumption that the BBCA will need to be flexible to allow for scheduling changes. This does leave some uncertainty in our communities’ limited access. Dates requested by the BBCA could be shifted throughout the year, as priority will likely be given to fee-for-use bookings. Any dates requested by the BBCA outside of the 12 annual dates will be charged at market pricing as determined by the developer. Any use by community members for private events will be at the scheduling, discretion, and market costs set by the developer.

A more detailed business plan and agreement with the BBCA will be completed within three months of approval to proceed with option one.

This option reduces the community’s investment, but comes with reduced control, uncertain long-term limited access, and the loss of a community-owned amenity.

Option 2 – 99-Year Lease (Per Zoning Bylaw)

The BBCA would secure a 99-year lease for the Community Hall, ensuring the facility remains a dedicated asset for all community members for generations. The BBCA would have long-term stability, community ownership and sustainable planning options for neighbourhood stewardship. This amenity fulfills the community amenity envisioned in the zoning bylaw negotiated at the development’s inception.

The BBCA would maintain a reliable facility with year-round access and programming for community use.

Funding

Britannia Beach would need to establish a community-supported financial cost centre. This vote does NOT serve to establish a new tax centre. A vote on taxes would be carried out on a future date, once the BBCA has determined that the community wants this amenity.

Start-up costs are estimated to be approximately $60,000.00, of which $20,000.00 has already been fundraised. Tony Rainbow has secured a $30,000.00 grant to assist with start-up. Several grants are available for community amenities that the BBCA can apply for to support the growth of the space. The BBCA has also obtained a $5000.00 grant to attain legal counsel in the negotiations for the lease agreement. A 99-year lease is considered to be a purchase of a property; therefore, we would incur a land transfer tax of approximately $30,000.00.

The following numbers serve to loosely estimate annual costs to each household. Annual operating costs of approximately $40,000.00 could be covered by a Britannia Beach tax cost centre. Overhead needs to be more accurately calculated to include a part-time employee to run programming and hall bookings, which would inflate these numbers.

Estimated household cost for the service

Based on a preliminary requisition of $48,000/year (estimated by the SLRD):

Taxable Property Assessment

Estimated Annual Cost Per Household/ $500,000.00

$500,000 - $61

$1,000,000- $122

$1,500,000 - $183

$2,000,000 - $244

A provincially required 5.25% fee would be added to these amounts.

If the hall amenity were to be established and the community voted in favour of a tax centre, a number of revenue streams have been determined that could offset the annual operating costs of a community hall. As the community hall generated revenue from private bookings, annual costs through taxation would decrease. The BBCA believes annual operating costs could be significantly decreased through private bookings while still prioritizing community access.

Recently, the SLRD board voted no to holding the lease for the BBCA due to long-term funding unpredictability. ]\With predictable and stable funding, the SLRD might support the BBCA by holding the 99-year lease, eliminating the community's required land transfer tax investment of approximately $30,000.00.

A tax cost centre

The SLRD would help the BBCA develop a cost centre budget on operational needs. The budget would determine the maximum annual requisition in the proposed service. Community members in the service area would then approve or reject the service through an alternative approval process (AAP), or an assent vote (referendum) if required. This vote is NOT a vote on whether a tax centre will be established, only to determine if the community wants this amenity in perpetuity. If the community decides it would like the hall as a BBCA-owned asset, then we would begin a discussion concerning taxes.

An AAP would allow residents to directly express support or concerns in a 30-day response period. If a significant number of members oppose the service, then a referendum would be required to vote on a new tax service. The AAP process would be initiated after the community determines whether the BBCA should hold the hall as a community amenity or not. To have the service in place for 2027, the SLRD would like to start the AAP process in January of 2026. If the community decides more information is required after the first 3 readings and a referendum is initiated, 2028 is a more realistic start date.

It will take the SLRD time to establish a tax cost centre for the community hall. Tony Rainbow has been in discussion with the SLRD to ensure grants are available to support the hall while the tax centre is established. Potentially, the BBCA could sign a short-term lease (3 years) while the tax centre is established, buying time to avoid the land transfer tax associated with the lease.

Option 2 is a forward-looking investment in the future of Britannia Beach and our community’s infrastructure. It delivers long-term certainty, full community control, and the ability to secure sustainable funding. We can transform this amenity into a legacy asset, ensuring consistent community access and empowering Britannia residents to shape programming, stewardship, and financial planning for decades.