Sport Abbotsford Live Stream transcript

Great. And this last time see I can't see that. Doris Woodman. Okay. Good afternoon everyone. My name is Doris Woodman McMillan. I've lived in Abbottzford since 1988. We raised our four kids here. My one son I wanted to register 30 years ago into hockey and I was the person who I spoke to at the hockey association laughed. She said well I can put him on the waiting list cuz he's already five and he never got to play hockey.

I'm concerned that right now in Abbottzford we could have a budding Connor Bedard that may not have an opportunity because there just aren't enough facilities available. I am very supportive of in increasing the number of facilities that we have, but I don't believe that waiting uh 12 years or 16 years for someone to be able to take swimming lessons is appropriate. My name is Doris Goodman McMillan. I'd appreciate your support.

Thank you. >> Mark Warington. >> Yeah, thank you. My name is Mark Warington. I'm a practicing lawyer here in sport. Um and we support being on council. was my first term on council before that. I was on the police board for 6 years and chamber of commerce president before that. That's my history at Abisport. Um raised my family here. We got two kids. One played rep soccer, the other played hockey. Wasn't that long ago I was taking them all over the place uh with playing their sports as well.

So, uh I think that uh when we look at next steps in terms of what's important in the sports community, I've got three things and they all begin with P. The first one is I think new council should pause, make sure we're on the right track, make sure we've considered all of our options. Secondly, let's price out how much is this going to cost. It need we need to know what the options are, what the prices are. And thirdly, uh we need to press the oak.

I think we can actually get going in 2027 on some simple things. Thank you, >> Dren. >> Good afternoon. My name is Dan and I arrived here in Aba for as a refugee 41 years ago and I'm thankful to Canada and also thank to Aba for citizen and welcome me here. I work at the bike shop on west street for 32 years and 8 years ago my boss retired and he closed out the shop and we open the smaller shop on black wing road and fixing bicycle over 40 years in upper floor.

Lovely to serving our community here and beside my working I enjoy many volunteer work with the city and special I volunteer work with them for Christian school. Every year I came to school teaching children and about the bike of CT and also I volunteer ab hockey game and I look to serve the people on October 17 this board down for city council. I love the people here. Thank you, >> Shirley Wilson. >> Thank you. When you are seeking an experienced fresh voice on council, one who understands how to get things done.

I am that one. Shirley Wilson. That grade five active pass so many families their children get to enjoy. That was my idea. The addition to ARC through plan A. The city needed our land school district. Most her fields are land joint use agreement with ongoing community use of schools and fields council and school board did that. I swim two to three times a week at ARC. It's almost impossible to get into a class. I also used to be, believe it or not, a long distance runner and a golfer.

I didn't say good. My daughter figure skated. My son was a speed skater. They were both in whalers. They both played ball. And now my daughter swing dances her way around the world. Recreation keeps young people off the streets, offers family quality time together, offers seniors safe and healthy places, and takes team to get this done. Vote Wilson October 17th. >> Jag Sadu. >> Hello, I'm Jag Sadu. I'm a longtime resident of Abaser.

I'm running for city council. I've been a realtor for almost two decades here in Absur. So, I've seen firsthand how much our city has grown. With that growth changes the needs of neighborhoods. I also volunteered with sports groups which has shown me how important and recreation in our community is. I brought basketball with me today. So, that's my memories growing up playing basketball with family and friends. I think every kid should have the opportunity to get involved in sports and create those memories and stay healthy.

One of my top priorities would be making Abaswood a good grade rec facilities that serve everyone from kids and families to recreation and competitive athletes. I want us to uh plan for a growth used for existing spaces wisely and responsible investment and that benefit community for years to come. Thank you. >> Dave Sadu. >> Thank you. Uh my name is Dave Sadu. I first got elected to city council in 2021. Uh it was a short term 11 months.

Uh then the general election in 2022. Born here, brought up here. Uh raising my family here. I have two daughters, six and three. Uh they're involved in soccer, swimming, and uh the older ones in San And being a part of the present council. I do support the three announcements that have been made about the the swimming pool or at MSA Parkland at Lef Fever. Not our first option. Um and then of course the the the two sheets of ice at Rotary.

I would definitely explore uh opportunities if elected again with council and mayor uh any opportunities to expedite that but at the same time we got to be a little bit uh cautious on doing that on the back of taxpayers. So I look forward to the other questions here and discussing this in a little more detail. Thank you. >> Okay, over to Simon Gibson. Uh, thank you. Tommy Lorta was the manager of the LA Lakers. He said three things.

He said, >> "Dodgers, >> baseball Dodgers baseball players." He said, "I have three players. One, they watch what's happening. Two, they make what's happening. And three, they wonder what's happening." I believe I'm the kind of person on council to make what's happening. You've supported me over the years. I've worked hard for you. I understand the issues. I process things quickly and I believe in the city of Absson and I've worked hard for you over the years.

My wife Joy was a retired school teacher. I taught at UF for many years. I'm a long-distance cyclist. I also am a runner. I've been running since 1994. When it gets really cold, I run here uh just to the ARC. So, my name is Simon Gibson. We're working hard to give it a vision. Without a vision, the people perish. And we're going on the right track. and I'm supporting council's vision, but we've got to make sure we have the funding to support it.

Thank you so much, >> Jeremy Clicks. >> Good evening. My name is Jeremy Clicks. I've lived in Adams for most of my adult life. I went to UF and got a computer information systems degree. Um, and I'm an avid rock climber. So, I know what sense of accomplishment can come from sports and how important that is for our health and well-being. Um, ultimately I want to see Abbottsburg become a place where everybody can participate in meaningful recreation and athletic pursuits and not stuck on a wait list for years just to get into a program. >> Thank you, Les Barkman. >> Good evening.

My name is Les Barkman, a long-term Abbottzford city counselor. And between being a counselor and a city employee, I'm a 52y year long-term um employee slashcounselor. I was first elected in 208 as a a long career with the city. I started in the parks and wreck department and I ended up uh finishing in um roads and sanitation. My emphasis is knowing that the city from the ground up. And I have long been involved in youth sports, including kids fastball, officiating basketball for decades, 40 years, including the APD tournament with hundreds of youth participants in volunteering and fundraising for groups such as Abford Bank, Cyber Center, Matchi Center, just to name a few.

I also support the three initiatives that uh were presented. >> Thank you. We need to move on. Uh Joel Madson. >> Hi, my name is Joel Matson. Uh for nearly two decades, I've worked as a home builder. So, my perspective on most issues is through that lens. I have a realistic understanding of what we have to work with, what we're going to need, and how we can get the greatest return from every dollar we spend and every piece of land we invest in.

When it comes to sports and recreation, I think we've fallen far behind. My priority would be to start closing that amenities gap. First by making better use of the parks, facilities, and land we already own and then by thinking more creatively and ambitiously about what we build next. I'm also a small business owner. My wife and I opened Revive Boutique Beastro in downtown Abbottzford. So I also look at these investments in terms of their potential economic impact.

I want us building facilities that serve our local families and athletes while also attracting tournaments, visitors, and investment into Abbottzford. Last, but certainly not least, I'm a father of two and I want to make sure the next generation has every opportunity to play here. >> Thank you, Christine Mills. >> Good evening everyone. My name is Christy Mills and I'm running for council because I love Abbottzford and sports is a part of how Abbottzford builds community.

I have four daughters involved in softball, basketball, hockey, dance, and my nieces and nephews also play football, basketball, rugby, and track and field. Many people in my family, including my husband, dedicate countless hours coaching sports in Abbottzford, so I am quite connected to the sports community. My experience is personal and practical. I've seen how a field, a rank, or a gym can change a kid's life. And as a nurse, I know how much sports and recreation shapes the health of a city.

If elected, I have three priorities. First, urgency and facilities planning ahead so our sports infrastructure keeps pace with Absford's both backlog and growth. Second, access. making sure cost and location are never barriers for any child or family. And third, partnership, working along sports association, clubs, and volunteers because they know what's needed. Sports makes us healthier and more connected and more proud of where we live.

I'd be honored to have your support. Thank you, >> Patricia. >> Thank you. Sport has always been an important part of my life and my family's life. As a mother of three school-aged children, I have seen firsthand the importance and the role and that sports plays in helping children and youth build confidence, friendships, teamwork, and healthy habits. My children have participated in ice hockey, ball hockey, volleyball, dance, and other activities, giving me a parents perspective on the importance of accessible and well-maintained facilities.

During my first term, I have advocated for thoughtful long-term investment recreation infrastructure and have taken a particular interest in timelines and capacity when it comes to our aquatics and our ice facilities. I've been encouraged by the progress Abbottzford has made, but I believe we need to be planning further ahead so we continue to meet the needs of our growing community. My goal is to help build a recreation system that meets the needs of Abbottzford today while planning responsibly for 10, 20, or 30 years from now. important part of a healthy connected community and I want atmosphere to thrive.

Responsible leadership means avoiding in doesn't mean avoiding investment. >> Thank you. Uh Carmen Fast Halt. >> My name is Carmen Fast Holllet. Born and raised here. I have four kids, am on faculty at Trinity Western, and own a chiropractic clinic with my husband. Let's call it for what it is. Abbottzford has fallen behind. Our residents have been asking for better sports and recreation infrastructure for years. More ice, more fields, more pool space, more courts.

And while our city has continued to grow, our infrastructure simply hasn't kept up. I have four kids in sports. I'm exporting events with my kids a minimum 10 times a week. I don't need a report to tell me we have a problem. I live it. Families across Abbottzford live it every week, fighting for ice time, field space, and places for their kids to play. Abbottzford residents deserve better than constantly being told to wait.

The next council needs to dig deep, make some tough decisions, and actually build the infrastructure a growing city requires while respecting our taxpayers ability to pay. We've waited long enough. It's time to catch up. >> Jasmine Singa. >> Hello everyone. I'm my name is Jasmine Fula. I'm born and raised right here in Abbottzford. Working on the family farm has taught me discipline, planning ahead, and the importance of community.

Lesson that carried me through a 19-year career representing Canada ever on the international stage through the sport of wrestling. But standing on the podium was never the point. The real purpose of that platform was giving back. Coaching young athletes, mentoring at risk youth, and supporting local organizations like Davis Police Foundation and raising funds through my own foundation. sport shaped my life and it taught me what when you have a chance to give, you should.

And that's why I'm running for council. I believe I have something different to give. As a businessman, I understand the importance of focusing on the basics and respecting tax dollars. As an athlete, I understand what strong recreation infrastructure means for families, youth, and for the future of sport in this city. On the farm, what I plan today is something we'll need tomorrow. The same is for same is true for facilities, parks, and neighborhoods.

I'm Jasmine Folk and I'll be a strong new voice for Absur. >> Rupy Kender Rajan. >> Good evening. I'm Rupy Kander Rajan. I moved here when I was 10 and now I my husband and I have three kids actively involved in sports. Why me? Because I don't just talk about community, I show up for it. Being a team manager for the last six years in four different leagues and also being on the board member for AMFA for minor basketball.

As a schoolboard trustee, I made it my goal to visit all 46 schools in one term because you cannot make good decisions about a community that you don't take time to understand. As an educator, former school small business owner, community advocate, a mom raising three kids in sports, I understand that recreation is not simply about facilities. It's about belonging, opportunity, healthy communities, and planning our future.

Absolutely needs to grow with it. We need to maintain what we have, invest wisely in what we need, and demand measurable outcomes. I bring governance experience as a schoolboard trustee. I'm ready to bring experience, accountability, and a strong community voice to city council and I help to build the avatar of tomorrow together. Thank you. >> Am Nang. >> Good evening. I'm Amrich Narang. I've been a lawyer for 25 years.

I'm currently also a business law instructor at UFB and I'm also a member of the Abbisford Police Board where I chair the governance and policy committee. But most importantly, I'm a father and I'm holding my daughter's soccer ball because sports made a profound impact on her life. She went from being a shy, introverted introverted child to someone who is now confident, believes in teamwork, and is taught her discipline waking up in the morning at 5:00 a.m. to attend practices.

Sports has a profound impact on people's physical and mental life. I'm also wearing this jersey not because I play lacrosse, but because Calvin D. Young of the Absford Lacrosse Association surprised me by pressing my last name on this jersey because he believes in me after a few conversations. He realized that I will fight for our youth and that I will stand up for sports because of the profound impact it has. Please allow me to use my legal experience, my business experience. >> Thank you.

We need to move on. Thank you. >> Okay, >> one minute is nothing. >> All right, so that's our opening statements. We're going to get to our first question. Uh just so everyone's clear, mayor, mayoral and council, every everyone will have 60 seconds to answer the first question. Okay, so our first question is about our city's current plans. Recently, our city council approved several plans for new sports infrastructure projects. two new sheets of ice at Exhibition Park, a 50 meter training pool at the MSA Arena site, and a new sports and recreation amenities along the Fever Road in West Abvis.

To be clear, and to be fair to the current council, these are still in the planning stages, and nothing is yet finalized. However, based upon what's been presented to the public so far, feedback has been mixed. Some positive saying that these projects are a step forward. Some negative saying that these projects are illconceived and aim to do the bare minimum. Question. Do you support these projects in their current proposed form?

Please feel free to discuss these projects in terms of their design, scale, location, timing or any other variable. We will start actually with uh Mayor Seammons and then we will work this way around. Okay. And you'll need to turn in cards that Steve got this. Okay. All right. Mayor Seard. >> Uh yeah, I do I support the um I support the framework of these projects because they directly target the infrastructure deficits that our community has experienced for years.

However, I want to clarify that these projects are not locked in stone. They are strategic. Their project framing and feas feasibility phase. So, this means that we are actively using public feedback and engineering data to get to the next stage to refine the design, understand what we're the scale and understand what we can actually deliver. And it'll give us uh opportunities to either add things, change course, change direction.

But these are vitally important that we have these conversations. But if we don't have an idea of what we're costing, if we don't have an idea of what we're talking about, then we can't plan the next stage. So it's not written in stone. And I encourage people to stay engaged. You >> uh Paul Mahill. So, I don't fully agree with those the steps. Um, these are good first steps, but council's only approved 325,000 for each project.

Uh, for project framing work. There's no construction funding, no timelines. Uh, the pool capacity was already below demand, and now the new training pool doesn't replace the aging ARC, MRC, and Centennial pools. The two new ice sheets mainly free up room to renovate uh existing arenas rather than add to their neck capacity. I set firm timelines pursue provincial and federal grants and plan for Fraser Valley growth while keeping taxpayer cost in check.

I completely disagree with the lever property uh thanks to Rick the conversation last night. Maybe that property is already ALR should be made into a truck park and generate half a million dollars a month and that money should be used for sports facilities. Okay. Uh, Suki Dami, >> if this is what the community wants, sure, we can build it. In my opinion, don't think it's enough. I think we can go bigger and better. Number one, I would first explore the Valley Roadlands for a sports complex.

It's the old landfill site right off the Abby Mission Highway. Number two, we have the corner of Clearbrook and Marshall Road. The city owns 12 or 13 acres there. That's where I envision a competition pool coupled with a hotel and a performing arts center. Number three, I think the fever road is not the right spot. Instead, I will look at a disposition of that site, put that money into a copper to help build new facilities.

Number four, and most important, I partner up with local indigenous communities in a process called an ATR, addition to reserve. We buy a parcel of land, roll it into reserve land, and essentially build whatever we like. Partnerships will be the way to go, especially in Abbottzford. I'd like to start construction on at least three or four projects within 30 months and bring back the parks and recck committee that was abolished by leadership in 2020. >> Thank you.

Hammer Dang, >> I have questions on location capacity and timelines regarding all of these projects and would not hesitate to re-examine everything if it made sense to do so. I would consider expanding MSA for additional ice sheets as a more cost-effective solution given that some of the infrastructure is already there. I'd rather see a bigger multi-use facility now than a stop gap that buys time to decommission MRC and ARC over a decade from now.

Especially since we are planning to spend $26 million keeping those facilities running until that time. Let's put that money towards a permanent solution now so that kids can get into a swim or a skate lesson. I understand the debt concern. I teach business law. I understand capital funding. So let's pursue private partnerships and branding dollars on the two new ice sheets. Summit center closes. We've added no capacity and I think 1010 lef fever is way too far away and Huntington Road is already a nightmare.

I live there and you're using that same road for slowmoving farm vehicles in the summer. I'm just not convinced that to be the right spot. Ruby cander one. >> I support investing recreation but I do not support moving forward with these projects exactly as currently proposed. Two new sheets of ice at exhibition park needs to be reconsidered alongside parking, traffic, and tournament use. I would examine whether placing the new sheets at MSA that could create a stronger three tournament sheet hub.

As a hockey mom of three, I know what it's like traveling between arenas during tournaments. These sheets three sheets of ice together can make Abbottzford much more tournament friendly. I also want to say that the 50 meter pool design for the future in mind right now important competition features including warm-up capacity, spectator seating, pool depth in timing infrastructure, concessions, and adequate parking are not clearly established.

The conceptual MSA plan also affects existing recreation space including the courts and basketball courts and tennis courts. This is a plan that came out of the documentation. If you look at it carefully, it's right on top of the basketball and tennis courts. That's not right because those are daily used and they're for free for our public. Before we build, let's master the plan for the entire area. Make sure we're building the atmosphere tomorrow, not simply not simply solving today's problem.

Thank you. >> Jasmine, >> I support the goal behind these projects. Making sure that sport and recreation infrastructure keeps pace with Ever's growth. Responsible growth means infrastructure keeps pace with development. At the same time, these plans are still in the early stages. And I think it's important we keep listening to residents on the design, scale, traffic, and timing before locking anything in. My approach would be to move the projects forward, but with clear public engagement, transparent cost information, and willingness to adjust details so the facilities work for families, athletes, and for neighbors over long term.

Carmen Holllet. >> Patching up doesn't mean rushing into the wrong projects. I don't support all three proposals in their current form. I support the 50 m pool, but with King Road off the table, let's think bigger about the MSA lands. Why build just a pool when we have an opportunity to create a true recreation hub with gym space, pickle ball, basketball, and more. I support two new sheets of ice exhibition park, but we need to look at the entire footprint of that property and make sure that every square foot is being used with intention to meet the needs of our entire community, including recreation.

If we're going to invest taxpayer dollars at X Park, we should make sure we're maximizing the value of the whole property for the community. I have strong concerns over the Lefver road. We need more fields. But if Abbottzford taxpayers are investing in a major attorney, shouldn't we locate it so the economic benefits stay in Abbottzford and not taking that spending into Alder Grove and Langley? These are general or generational investments.

Let's get them right. >> Thank you, Patricia Theres. Passing. Passing. Okay. Uh Joel Madson. >> Uh I don't support making large investment in sports infrastructure along the outskirts of Abbottzford. When we make those types of investments, they should also benefit the broader community and create economic activity for Abbottzford whenever possible. I understand the challenge. Abbottzford is densely ALR land. So, location is always going to be an issue, but that means we need to start thinking differently about how we build.

From a builder's perspective, I know that when land is limited, one of the best ways to maximize on your investment is to build up. We should be considering twotory sports facilities on every new project. With the potential of losing Summit Center in the near future, we're talking about trading to ice sheets two for two. If we're going to make a major investment, let's add capacity instead of simply replacing what we're losing.

We don't have unlimited land in Abbottzford. We should be building intentionally with that understanding. Les Martin, >> my opinion on 1010 is a perfect spot to put in a a signature fall a four uh baseball fields similar to uh softball city and make that an adultorientated uh park. And the people that oppose it because of Aller Grove, I'm sure all the people in West Absford have used Aller Grove swimming pool and any of the dog park uh that's over at Grove Park.

Um the aquatics park and the rinks. I would like to see I agree the location on Clerbrook Road and Marshall. There's some great uh facilities that could be bought there and it's something we could grow into. We could have pools, pickle ball, and the other thing I'd like to see is the tradeex. There's four little arms in each of that building that could be volleyball, pickle ball, basketball, and lacrosse, or whatever else the community would like to use. >> Jeremy Clint, >> I support the uh current plan, though not necessarily as written.

Um, I have concerns about only two sheets of ice. uh it's much cheaper to operate on a per rink basis if we have more sheets in one location by uh sharing facilities and equipment. Um so I would much rather see three or four sheets. Again, that also makes tournaments much easier to run uh which is an important to our sports. Similarly with our aquatic center, it's focused much more with an athletic intent. Um but a lot of our athletes have already said that it's lacking some important facilities.

If we're going to build an athletics focused facility, I think we should commit to that fully and not go halfway, which is just going to leave everybody with something that's uh a mediocre for all parties. >> Sim, >> well, thank you very much. It's evident if you listen to all of the discourse here, there's a lot of good ideas coming out. The challenge is for us is to integrate them into something that's manageable and actually will work in the city.

I'm hearing some very good ideas here, but only one plan at a time can we actually consider. Now, council is being very proactive. As the mayor said, we're being proactive. We're looking at a number of different plans. Some of them are creating controversy. I will acknowledge that the Lef Fever Road site is creating some disscent in our community partly from the distance using the property that way and using routes to try to get there.

It may be problematic, but council is active. We're looking at ideas. Your ideas, all of them are good. We're going to be integrating them, but we can't use them all, of course. So, this is why we have a wonderful evening like this, get some ideas, come back to you, and the council the next uh service will be able to integrate them and do something wonderful for the city. Thank you, >> Dad. >> Thank you. I absolutely support investing in recreation.

Abbottzford is growing quickly and with the growth comes greater demand for ice fields, aquatic facilities and other recreational spaces. I think one uh discussion piece that we need to keep in mind is is the announcements have been made but the scoping of those projects will be done by the next council and it's a decision that the next council have to make decide on what they exactly want to do. a lot of discussion about Lef Fever not being a great location and some of us I'm sure would agree to that.

Uh but keep in mind there's also been a Fraser Highway expansion grant that was just recently received by the city of Abbottzford. So that will help with some of the bottleneck and the traffic uh on Huntington Road. But again, I think it's a discussion and I do support the present plan. uh but at the same time would love to have the discussion if elected on what we can do to make sure we have secondary and tertiary infrastructure as well for these announcements.

Thank you. >> J Su >> I support the two nice sheets at the exhibition park and the 50 m training pool at MS Arena. My main concern is proposed recreation project on Leiger Road. I think the location is very important. We need to make sure people across Avisur can easily access these facilities. The fever road could mean longer travel times for people living the other side of Avisur. I like to uh look at other options that may be easier for residents to access.

If Liv Road is the best option, then we also need to look at the public transportation to make it easier to get there. We also need to look at other uh priorities and timing and we don't have to build everything at once. We need a clear plan and make sure we can afford it moving forward. >> Shirley Wilson, I'm passing. Okay. Down. >> I support the project and also I will support the I will ask for the sponsorship from the private sector and they can put the sign on or also I ask for funding from the provincial government for the funding for our sport. >> Markington. >> Yes.

So being on council, I'll I'll I'll say that I did support the uh projects because we need to explore what those look like in in those different places. I want to speak to the pool specifically. Uh we're scoping out a 50 meter pool, but we could scope out as other options. It's within our ability to say what does a two tank solution look like for a pool? I'm open to that. I've talked about that. Again, it's going to be a cost issue for that one and let's find out what it looks like.

Same with uh two sheets of ice at Expedition Park. It's possible to build that expandable. It's possible to have future plans to make that bigger so that it's expandable in the future. Those are all things we can look at a council and I'm committed to asking those questions. Thanks, >> Doris Woodman. >> Okay. I support more ice and more pool capacity because we definitely need them. However, I don't support the current plan the in the in the order that it's in for the pools.

The way that this is uh mapped out is that the first pool is the 50 m pool. Then we are going to upgrade MRC. That means that MRC will be shut in order to upgrade. That means we lose capacity. The 50 meter pool is not designed for children. It's designed for competition. So, where are the kids going to squ going to swim? I would be in favor of finding a new place maybe in the Mount Leman area for a new rec center before we start dismantling any of the current facilities.

I'm also in favor of four ice sheets, not two. We're already so far behind. I don't understand why we're not going big. So, go big or go home. >> Patricia Ross. >> Yes, I do support these plans. um subject to the evaluation as the mayor outlined and um public consultation. I mean I share people's frustration that um it's not soon enough and it's not going to be all things for all people but as counselors we don't have the luxury of only looking at these specific needs in isolation.

It's our responsibility to look at them in the context of our many in other infrastructure needs and people's ability to pay particularly in these volatile economic times. >> Great season. >> I applaud the current council for these ideas. Uh the greatest thing is we own all three properties already. So that is a huge costsaving. But I have issues with each of them. We haven't built a major wreck facility in Abbottzford since 1991.

In the meantime, our population has more than doubled. We have to get this right. To me, the MSA arena site is uh the most valuable piece of wreck property in our city. Let's make sure we're going to use that site to its complete capacity. Not build a pool on top of tennis courts and parking. Rather, let's let's think bigger. Let's get this right. the uh lef fever site is too far out of the city. Uh there are possible other locations.

Why do we have to combine the soccer fields and the baseball fields into one site? Let's split them. Now we are only looking for uh pieces of property of 15 to 20 acres, not 40 acres, >> free ride. >> At a very high level, I would look at five things. the need, the evidence, what I would examine, how I would pay and measure success for this. The need is there. The evidence, the city has identified a few things. How would I examine?

I would look at the IC's, the 50 m pool and the retrieval pool together as one recreation for facility. I would ask, are we building the right facilities in the right location at the right scale and at the right time? I think the lef fever road is a bit too far away. Uh we should reconsider that. But let's use the MSA lands and maybe try and build up how would I pay of course look for grants, partnerships, user contributions and wherever responsibly gets some municipal uh borrowing.

How do we measure success at a very high level? The measure is simple. More available for children, families, recreation users and competitive athletes and good value for tasks. Thank you. >> David Pelican one. So, I don't support the plan at all. One, this should have been a referendum at the last time this council and mayor were elected. It was long overdue back then. Now, they hit you with this for a new agenda, spending your taxpayers money.

We saw a waste on a police building we could have retrofitted and served our families and children better in sports. Number two, we should have had partnership a long time ago. Number three, we've been giving our land to developers. The Cooper farm, which is right here, went to the developer rather than a swimming pool, rather than a sports, rather than basketball and all this. The land was given away. Why? Because it suited mayor and council better to get elected rather than families keeping it within the city, keeping it with on budget.

And now they want to come with a plan and say, "Well, all we want to do now is get elected again." and we're working on a plan. It should have been a referendum. All of you should have been there, not us. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh that's everyone. Is there anybody here who wishes to offer a rebuttal to something someone would have said? Wait a second. No. Okay. Baring that we will move on to our second question. Our second question is about short-term solutions.

Larger sports infrastructure projects, even when approved, will take years to complete. In the meantime, demand for sports facilities will continue to increase. To better meet this demand, one idea is repurposing existing buildings or sports infrastructure. There are several examples. The former Zellers Target low Rona building down by Costco sits vacant. To use a sports analogy, as far as operating a sustainable business is concerned, that building is zero for four.

If repurposed, that building could hold numerous sport sports and/or indoor training spaces. It's already built. It has washrooms. Could trainex be better utilized for sports and more often? What about the often underutilized buildings and spaces at Exhibition Park? Or could Exhibition Park be completely reimagined and revamped? Question. What are your thoughts on these ideas and their viability? Or what are some other possibilities for some other short-term solutions, improvements or capacity increases for atmosphere sports infrastructure?

We are going to start with Simon Gibson for this question and we will go that way. Mr. Uh well, thank you very much for these innovative thoughts. Uh a number of these are new to me. However, I would say that we have to be careful if we if we expend money now on a short-term solution. We don't want to draw the funds away from our long-term plan as well, our vision. So, that would be the concern I would have. But the ideas of perhaps repurposing some of the lands that we have or some of the commercial buildings, uh, I believe that those could go to council when the new council sits and we could maybe talk about some of those.

They're innovative and they're exciting, but there may be some uh negatives that I haven't entertained. But the idea of using facilities a little more wisely for recreational sports purpose, those are those are good ideas, but again, we don't want to draw money away from our long-term vision as well. So, thank you for those ideas. They're interesting and thoughtful. I'm sure the new council when it comes in will uh look at them on their future agenda.

Thank you so much, Jeremy Clicks. Uh yeah, I think those are very interesting ideas as well. Um I would be concerned about how much they would actually expediate things. Um they still ask going through review and planning and all that can take time. Uh I do think there's some interesting opportunities for expanding some new recreation facilities that we don't have. Uh people have talked about a pump track and it could be very interesting to look at using the those location uh to that as a testing facility.

Uh but for long-term development there's there is the issue that anything we put towards that is something we're lacking for a more cohesive long-term plan. Um and I would have Kinsler in that regard. >> Less Barkman. I think first of all we should start with our city assets and I would start with Rotary Stadium. I think there's lots of opportunity for user groups, new user groups. Tradeex is I in my opinion underutilized.

I like I said before we got four different fingers over there that we could uh have our uh rec center right now that we hold the biggest volleyball tournament I think in the province. uh the uh McMillan ball uh field right over here. Lights would give us seven more evenings for games. Uh, I'd like to see all minor sports uh played in town and that's why I'm in favor of 1010 uh lef fever as an adult um ball facility and Delair Park is I believe an un unapped gym in our uh city also.

Joel Madson, I >> think we absolutely need more indoor spaces for recreation, especially during the bad weather months. Repurposing vacant buildings could help relieve some of that pressure in the short term, and I think it's worth exploring. Long-term, I'd want to invest in a facility on land owned by the city rather than commit significant funds to improving a building that doesn't suit our needs. There are also smaller projects we could tackle almost immediately.

Land isn't cheap and we've already seen how challenging it is to remove land from the ALR. So, we need to take better advantage of what we already have. Clear Brook Park, for example, has opportunity for additional multi-use space. Mil Lake has unused areas that could potentially accommodate things like pickle ball and basketball courts and a pump track. And we could cover some of these spaces. We could cover some of these spaces so that they can be used more often throughout the year.

Not every solution needs to be a hund00 million project. A handful of smart, relatively inexpensive projects could start closing our amenities gap right now. >> Christy Milts, >> I uh appreciate Joel's ideas and I really like the idea of um making sure that we maximize the use of our current space. I think that the vacant retail building is really worth a serious look. Um but we need to make sure like look into ceiling, height, structure, parking, and the lease and purchase cost. and it really is only worth converting if it's a real solution and not a stop gap.

Um, we definitely need more indoor facilities for our winter use. And the biggest issue underlying I think all of this is that the data that we have available for the actual true demand is not clear in any data sources. There's uh sources uh from like Canada hockey and I think we need to do a better job of actually looking at numbers and demand and transparency with how much actual out um how much actual demand there is on our facilities.

And so that's something I'm interested in pursuing as well. When we think about short-term options, uh we need to be uh thinking about the backlog and then the long-term plans to address the growth. >> Just recent. >> Yeah, thank you. Uh so reimagining Exhibition Park is absolutely on my list of projects that I hope the next council will work very hard on. Um and I think it's going to require some workshopping with council and with our user groups.

Uh this should also be considered when it comes to our other parks and other city land including the land owned uh with MSA Arena site. So I was not supportive of the council decision relating to ice and pools. I absolutely want to move forward with ice sheets and with pools, but I had hoped both projects would be more visionary and thinking long term. Uh the MSA site could be used for something really great and I I visited some incredible recreation facilities with the same footprint and I think we just have a really great advantage coming into the next four years to think take advantage of that space and use something that our community can be really proud of. >> Um fast holiday.

I would make sure council does everything it can to remove barriers, including reszoning where necessary, so existing buildings and underused spaces can be considered for recreational use in the short to medium term. We know major infrastructure projects can take years. So I think we need to be creative about what we can do now. Whether it's a vacant commercial building, x park, existing wreck facilities that will soon age out or another suitable space, we should be looking at every practical opportunity to increase capacity.

But it also has to make financial sense. We need to consider the cost of leasing or acquiring these facilities, the renovations required, and their ongoing maintenance and operating costs. If we can create recreational space sooner and the numbers work for taxpayers, I believe council should move quickly to make it happen while continuing to plan for the permanent facilities our growing community will need. Jasmine Pa >> I'm open to exploring uh repurposing existing or underused pieces as part of a short-term capacity strategy at DAS like using vacant commercial buildings expanding sport use of tradeex or reimagining exhibition park are worth a serious study provided we look carefully at zoning cost accessibility and impact on existing uses.

Any interimm solution should be fiscally responsible, time limited if needed, and clearly communicated to residents. Alongside that, I will look at practical improvements such as optimizing scheduling, supporting community partnerships, and modest upgrades to existing facilities to relieve pressure while larger projects are planned. >> Rubik Raj, >> we cannot wait 10 years for every solution. We need to use what we have while we're planning what comes next.

I would immediately examine underused buildings and existing city assets including former Rona site Tradeex and Exhibition Park to determine what can realistically and capacity add capacity sooner. For aquatics, I would compare a standalone training pool with an integrated recreation center containing a 50 m competition capable pool of warm-up water, two ice sheets, gym or fieldhouse, spectator amenities, and shared parking parking.

I would also explore revenue opportunities including event parking, sponsorships and partnerships to help offset costs and add smaller projects too. I have repeatedly advocated for contracts for our kids. Chillax shows municipalities can outside funding and partnerships to create recreational opportunities. Not every solution needs to take a decade. Let's identify some wins and we can deliver now while we build a larger vision.

And this is what is offered in Chillowak and we can do that too. Thank you, >> Ame. >> During my campaign, I've spoken with the leaders of many of our sports organizations. Their weight lists are long and their frustration grows every season. Interestingly, they're willing to raise their own money through their members to to lease space, but they can't because zoning bylaws guided by the official community plan currently stand in the way.

I respect careful planning. It's needed. But the OCP should be a living, breathing document that council keeps current as Abbasford changes and its needs change. If I'm elected, I'll table a motion asking for three things. Number one, staff be directed to provide a report on every single vacant building in Absford, either owned by the city or private, that could house a sports organization. Number two, ask for a clear, faster process for temporary use permits as long as a club is willing to invest its own money.

And number three, have those results back in 90 days. >> Suki Ding. Okay, Paul, >> we definitely need to uh use what we already have first. waiting years to build new builds while demand grows just isn't acceptable. I do agree we should look at places like Tradeex uh the building near Costco exhibition park you know the tra the tradeex could uh you know maximize we can maximize bookable time um with scheduling that favors local clubs over one off events you know that that big box building near Costco you know worth a feasibility look large open for plates um we consume indoor courts turf pickle ball volleyball gymnastics the test is is cost not concept.

We can look at zoning and lease for purchase options. We got some other short-term moves of school gyms and field field use. Expand joint agreements with the school district. Add lights and artificial term to existing fields to extend playable hours. Some simple fixes, right? Fix book fix booking non transparent system for allocation. Um and no blocks with private partners and nonprofits. Ross Seammens. >> Uh thank you.

So the uh the joint school use master agreement is a great example. Gymnasiums and a couple of sorry three gymnasiums that are going to be open to the public in the evenings and after school hours and I think there's an opportunity for us to take a look at the sports fields and upgrade those in certain areas. a talked with um Rob Bransma from baseball association and if we have a um utilizing what we have and adding some ball diamonds in key areas that can make sure that we have used sports available.

Um so in agreeing with um some of the Irene drive floor when we take a look at what's going on at Exhibition Park that is going to have some dry floor space going to be 4200 hours that we can add um there and there's going to be dry floor just like we do here in the summer. Um sports domes are another temporary thing that we can do and upgrading the turf upgrades and the uh putting in lights at some of those fields that we would upgrade with the school district.

So, I think there's some really short-term wins that are quite doable and quite feasible. >> That's good. Thank you, David Pelican. >> So, we know other cities are growing faster and they got a better man and better council. That's what it boils down to. We can rent these and fix them and rent them and down the road we're going to be 5600 million in debt on this. We got to fix it the solution right out the get-go. take 200 million out of the coffers and financially fix these facilities, the top 10 for these sport centers.

It's all fine for these mayors and councils to promise you, but they ain't delivering. Period. Your taxes are going up every year for what reason? What reason? If they're not helping your kids, they're not giving you these facilities. What is this reason? Take old buildings and recnit them? No. The city had a lot of time when you guys went last term and sat there and brought these needs to come with these stats for you and say these are the things we're moving forward and we're going to accomplish before our mandates out.

They can't every time their mandates out they're asking you for a new mandate. We need private investment with us. >> Thank you. Great. >> Thank you. Um like like before the need is of course there and what would I examine? So we should examine every opportunities to increase utilization. Tradeex exhibition park existing arenas school facility vacant building the new city school district master joint use agreement also creates opportunities to improve access to existing facility and we can do more work on that.

The measure should be how many additional hours of usable sport space can be achieved, how quickly and what cost is passing. Okay, Professor Ross. Well, I'm absolutely open to new and innovative ideas, cake and common folks, but um often they can be far more complex and expensive than it first appears. Um but open to evaluating. I won't provide an assessment of any of these ideas until I have all the facts. And also, I feel like it would be disrespectful to the current owners or users of those areas without respectful consultation on how this would affect them.

Doris Woodman McMillan. >> So I'm not going to repeat what's been said before, but a couple of other things. I think we should be speaking with Seven Oaks, this the churches and the Gwaras. Almost every church has a gym. I don't know that the GDRA do. Maybe we could persuade them to add a gym to the GDAR and then we would have the ability to use those spaces. Uh, Seven Oaks has been in the in the community for a very long time and there's empty space in Seven Oaks.

I'm sure that we could repurpose part of Seven Oaks for possibly an arts performing center. Uh, the Egg Wreck and Legacy buildings. I think we could use the Legacy building to support more tournaments. Use the kitchens there, use the offices, maybe a place for the volunteers to hang out. I think adopting a field program they have in Siri would be a good idea to uh take a look at because it helps maintain the fields. Thank you >> Mark Orington Dow Tren Shirley Wilson. >> So thank you.

Um I've been a school board trustee for 21 years. I was also chair of the parks, wreck and culture commission as well as I was so that was three years and I was one year as vice chair and in that time whether it's the 21 years on the board or at parks re and culture I can tell you that we always went the length to say have we turned over every stone probably not that's why the community should come and talk to us where possible but often I would say most of the time we come forward And we look at these things with a lot of care and attention.

But it is true short-term solutions still cost money. They also cost staff time. But if we're partnering with empty retail spaces, that makes sense. Deler Park was family donated. More of that, sure. Repurposing though can get complicated. Let's talk about X Park. What do we do there? The field. Where does the Angra go? like we're always up. >> Moving on. Thank you, Jag Sad. >> I think we should look at how we can get more out of the spaces we already have while we work towards large projects.

Trade eggs could be used for more sports and recreation opportunities when space is available. I would also be open to looking at vacant retail spaces near Costco and the future exhibition park to see if could help with some of the short-term needs. I would want to talk to local sports groups, athletes and residents understand what they actually need. If we improve the scheduling, repurpose existing spaces or make small changes that create more capacity sooner, I think that's worth exploring.

At the same time, we can continue planning for largest facilities advisor will need the future. Thank you. >> To do >> I think we have to do both. Build major facilities where we need for the future while finding practical ways to create more capacity. Now I'm open to repurposing existing buildings where it makes sense. But not every large building can simply become a sports facility. In the short term, we should focus on maximizing what we already have by expanding partnerships with schools, improving lighting with existing fields, and where appropriate, extending usable hours and identifying spaces that can be cost effective and converted into indoor uh training and recreation facilities.

Thank you. >> Okay. Uh is there anybody who would like to revive anything that anyone else said this question? >> Oh, we do. Okay. Uh Rupy Cander Rajan like to turn another you have one minute go when the mic when you got the mic. >> Thank you. A few of my colleagues mentioned a pump track. Why a pump track? Chillax main pump track at the landing open in February 2021. It was developed after council selected the project of a one-time federal gas tax funding in 2019.

Federal UC UBCM reporting says approximately 900,000 from the Canada Community Building Fund supported the main pump track project. It provides approximately 500 meters of paved track. It includes two circuits, one for experienced riders and one for live experience. It was designed for bikes, scooters, skateboards, and wheeled recreation, making it useful for more than one sport. The track was designed for the ability to accommodate large-scale competitions as well as everyday community recreation.

It sits within the landing recreation campus alongside other recreation facilities rather than being isolated around them. The success of the original facility led Chilowak to add a beginner contract supported by $75,000 contribution from the Mount Leman Sheen Rotary Club. Chilowak sub subsequently developed additional contracts at Jenerson Park better park and supported through provincial growing committee funding. Thank you. >> Thank you.

Anyone else want to have a second go here? No. Okay, we will move on to our third question which is about sport tourism. A quick story to illustrate. Coming 20 years ago, Abaser built a modest expansion at Arc including two gyms, a threelane 150 meter track indoor track, several fitness and community spaces. Meanwhile, Camoose took a much bolder approach and built the tournament capital center. I encourage everyone here to look it up online or visit in person if you have the chance.

One of its main features is a fieldhouse which holds three gyms, a regulation six lane 200 meter indoor track, seating for 2500, and the ability to host a ridiculous variety of sporting events. Whereas the ARC expansion was built to meet the needs of the recreational user only, the Camops Fieldhouse was built to meet the needs of the recreational user and the elite athlete. Because of the vision behind the tournament capital center, tens of millions of sport tourism dollars have flowed into Campbell's economy every year since it opened.

By contrast, the ARC expansion, though having been well used and though originally cheaper to build, has never and will never produce anywhere near that that same level of sport tourism interest and revenue. Do you think that Abbottsburg could and should take a similar approach to Camos by building topnotch facilities catering not just to recreational users but also to elite athletes thereby targeting sport tourism revenue in the process?

Why or why not and how would we do this? We will start with Amar Nang and we will move this direction. Am floor is yours. When Abbisford hosts sports tournaments, athletes, coaches, and families travel here. They book hotel rooms, eat in our restaurants, fill up at our gas stations, and shop in our stores. Which is why it's crucial that any new recreational development must keep spectator seating and parking in mind, such as that 50 m 10 lane pool.

Meaningful collaboration has to be had with our sports clubs, hotels, and restaurant owners, and of course, tourism at these decisions cannot be made in a vacuum. If I'm elected, I'll do three things. Bring all these people to the table before any design is finalized. pursue vigorously pursue naming rights, sponsorship, private dollars, and report back to the public of course because these are your taxpayer dollars and they have to be spent wisely.

Thank you. >> Ruby Kender Rajar. >> Yes, I believe Absur should think bigger about sport tourism while ensuring these facilities serve our residents every day. I was also a board member on tourism for a few years. As a ball mom, I've traveled with my children to tournaments to Camel, Albian, and Enderbe. We were provincial champions this year. Pretty cool for our kids. What makes these experiences memorable isn't just about the game.

It's having multiple fields together, concessions, amenities, and places where teens and families can gather. Agriculture should create facilities that serve grassroot athletes, recreational users, and competitive athletes while giving us the ability to host tournaments and that bring visitors into our hotels, restaurants, and local businesses. But I don't believe government needs to do this alone. Bring our sports organizations, businesses, investors, and community partners to table with us early.

Ask what they need, what can they contribute, and where partnerships make sense. Let's build facilities our kids don't have to leave Absburg to experience. Thank you, >> Jasmine Puka. I think there is value in our surrounding for facilities that serve everyday reparation users of high level athletes while also attracting events and sport tourism provide we stay grounded in local needs and fiscal discipline. I use our facilities every single day sometimes twice a day and cutting weight even three times a day.

So I know how important they are that means adding multi-use spaces that work first for residents and where feasible and for tournaments and training camps. I would support a careful staged approach. Start with a clear vision and consult with local sport groups and families assessing economic benefits and costs and pursue partnership with local organizations like Sport Abbottzford and provincial or federal funders to reduce the burden on local taxpayers >> fast poll. >> Abbottzford should look at successful models like can loops as we plan our next generation of recreation infrastructure.

We do need high quality multi-use facilities that serve residents every day. while also attracting tournaments and major sporting events. And when those tournaments come here, I want families staying in Abbottzford hotels, eating in Abbottzford restaurants, and supporting Abbottzford businesses. That needs to matter when we decide where these facilities go. I also believe the city should restart talks with GSL Group, the company behind Planet Ice, about the potential for a P3 partnership.

Exploring opportunities like this could help expand recreation infrastructure while bringing private sector investment and reducing the burden on taxpayers. If we're investing millions in recreation, let's leverage every dollar we can. >> Just >> thank you. I wanted to mention that I lived in Cam Loops for a period of time when I was in university and attended the school of tourism. So when you're speaking about events and tourism, you're speaking my love language. um the tourism events in an economic uh lens should always be considered when we're building these large infrastructure projects whether it's a pool or a park.

How to move the vision forward? Well, I think we need to consider something called centralization to our facilities. Uh for example, with our aquatics planning, we were considering now building three new pools over 20 years in three different areas of town. And we're putting two sheets of ice on a location where there won't be any room to expand. And when it comes down to it, I think centralization is something that as a community we need to do a little bit more work and investigation on.

Um it honestly might require that some residents have to travel a bit further to be able to access facilities, but I would like to explore some of those options. Um I did attempt to direct staff to survey the community more about these options uh in a council meeting, but was not supported during the council meeting. So I think that centralization will support tourism and the economic side >> Christy Mills. >> I've been listening since I decided to run and one person in this room suggested we should build it as though we train Olympic athletes and have the facilities to support it and I completely agree.

Abbottzford has its real advantages. We're central Fraser Valley location. We have highway access and airport UF and a growing population. We also do have our amenity gap and limited hotel and conference capacity to host the events these facilities would attract. Tournaments needs beds, restaurants and things to do and the sport plan and economic plan have to be one plan. And the sad case is there has actually been associations that have built a business plan.

And so to move forward, I would do that too. Um I would uh bring forward the business cases that have already been developed and uh figure out the real data for on event demand and regional competition. Make sure we're partnering sport Abvisford, UF, provincial sport organizations, local associations so that we can build what events actually are needed and attach an event strategy to every new facility so it has a calendar before it has a ribbon cutting.

Locals need to come first though a facility that serves tournaments but not neighborhood teams. >> Joel Madson, thank you. Joel M. I look at recreation infrastructure as an investment and I want us making investments that can create a return for the community. When we build largecale tournament ready facilities, we're not just building them for local athletes and recreational users. We're creating jobs as well as opportunities to bring thousands of people into Abbottzford.

People who stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, and spend money in our local shops. And that activity helps make Abbottzford more attractive for further private investment. We should be competing with neighboring cities to host major tournaments and sporting events. We already have something many communities don't have, our own airport. We're well positioned to become a major sports destination. What we're missing are the facilities.

I start with reimagining the new project at Exposition Park. Instead of two ice sheets, let's seriously explore three or four sheets with dry floor arenas above them, emulating emulating the new project at the Langley Event Center. And equally important, we need to determine space for a fourdiamond baseball park. If we're going to build, let's build something worth coming to Abbottzford for >> less part. >> I'd like to see an Abbottzford built solution.

It's really easy to see what other communities are doing and I'd just like to bring a couple of uh highlights of what Abbottzford is known for. We hold the provincial rugby every year. There's no place in British Columbia that has a signature field and four other te uh fields where this uh competition can be held. Um I'd like to see a signature field like at uh exhibition park where we can have four diamonds that can accommodate all levels of ball.

If you go to a place just out of Winnipeg, there's something called Bloomberg Park. It's 10 minutes out of Winnipeg and it it features minor all the way to senior sports. And I think we have to get all of our residents in be in Abbottzford to have u a chance to use these things, not just certain groups. >> Jeremy Clint, >> uh I believe we should be building a facility to support tournament ready uh athletic events. Um, and it needs to be focused at athletes.

Um, you know, not every facility needs to be all things to all people. Uh, when we build something that supports athletes, that reduces pressure from our other communities and allows them to be more efficient. Uh, there's a lot of conflicting designs between casual recreation and amateur professional athletic pursuits. Uh, I really want to see us partner with our athletic organizations, uh, touring organizers and design something that suits their needs so we can get the maximum value out of whatever we do build. >> Simon Gibson, >> uh, well, thanks to Sport Abbottzford for alerting us to this.

As a matter of fact, uh this uh if we would pursue this at council, this would complement what we're currently planning to do with our recreation facilities and make them more uh efficient as well. We have a lot of other sectors. We have the agri sector. Uh we've got our airport as somebody mentioned. We can put together a whole package, a whole plan to complement using the tournaments as a a central motif with other services and other tourism facilities.

Of course, the beauty is we're making more efficient use of our existing facilities used by our current parents and children and others as well. And that's the beautiful side of something like this. The other side, of course, is restaurants and our hotels will benefit tremendously. So, I I do appreciate Sport Abbottzford for alerting us to this and I'll certainly make sure if I'm elected re-elected to council, I make it a top priority.

Thank you so much, >> Doo. Yes, I think Avisert should absolutely pursue sports tourism, but in a way that benefits residents uh every day. I don't think we need to copy Cameloops exactly, but we can learn from what they did well. Absur has the size, location, and sporting community to become much stronger destination for competition. The key is plan intentionally, work with local sports organizations on what facilities and actually are needed and make sure every major investment serves both the community, recreation and our broader economic goals.

Thank you, >> Jan Soo. >> I do believe Abas should focus on sports tourism, but before we invest time into that, I think we need to look at needs of our own community first. We should ask our own facil current facilities. Are they meeting the needs of Abso residents? Are we are we using them to the full capacity or potential? And where are the biggest gaps as our population continues to grow? If we're going to make a major investment, I want our facities to benefit everyone in our community from kids and families to recreational, competitive, and elite athletes.

At the same time, those facilities should allow us to host tournaments and larger events, bringing uh visitors and economic activity into our community. That way, we're investing in something our residents can enjoy year round while also creating opportunities to bring tournaments, visitors, and more business to Absur. Thank you, >> Shirley Wilson. >> Thank you. Trying again. Okay. Once upon a time, we used to say uh we create elite athletes in spite of ourselves.

I think that we can do better. I think that we can do recreational and elite. We always have. So, we need to do that professional sport tourism way better than we have. I do agree though that maybe Cam Loop's model might not work because maybe their blueprint doesn't fit our footprint. We need an Abbottzford way. I also know um that we're playing catch-up and what we do provide right now is not enough. I don't think we can should continue with the just enough versions at the table.

I will use my voice to help get this back on track. Thank you. >> In the year 2000, we have 115,000 people in our four. In year 202026 we have 180,000 people in Apo we are growing community and I believe that we we work together and we can build with the private sector that will make a better mark. >> Uh thank you. Okay sports tourism it's a bit of an apple pie issue. Of course we're all in favor of it. So the question is not are you in favor of it is how do we get it done.

So I have two things I've spoken about exhibition park and I hear other people saying that I think we need to look at exhibition park and create a master plan as we did for Mil Lake to say how could we develop this and I would like to see it say how could we develop this into enough fields and that we can actually have tournaments to be comp competitive there. We're going to have to answer the question of what happens to agriare there.

That is a big question. But let's let's let's look at exhibition park and I think we can do that within our current budget pool. If we want to go bigger and have a competition pool, there's a good case to be made. I understand there's a going to be a price tag and I will get to that price tag issue with with my next answer. Thank you. >> Doris, what? >> Okay. So, we want to bring tourism here for sports except the people don't stay here if they're over 20. because it's not fun in Abbottzford.

They will stay in Langley. So, we need more than just facilities to house the people that are competing. We need to have some fun in Abbottzford. If we build something big enough that's going to attract possibly a hotel to put in place, build close to the facility. Um maybe we can build something that people would actually be interested in staying in town for. Jess Ross. Uh >> yeah, I will never close my mind to listening to good ideas and what people want and need.

There's no question of the economic benefit. Um, and I'm always open to seeing what other communities are doing, and I appreciate the camel's example, but it's difficult to compare what one community can does and say, well, you can do it everywhere because every community has different finances, different challenges, different opportunities. And we also want to look at people's ability pay. What can they afford? There's a community, I won't name a name, but it's in the Lower Mainland, who borrowed a ton of money for new infrastructure, and they are paying an additional $3,000 annually on top of what they're already paying for their taxes.

And as I said before, these are very difficult and volatile economic times. So, we just have to consider that. Rick Tissson, >> I told Steve that I could talk about this question for about two hours, but I'll try to reduce it to one minute. I've been spending my career running tournaments at MEI, provincial tournaments in in a variety of sports. It is amazing how easy it is to go to a restaurant or hotel and say, "Hey, we've got 16 teams coming from out of town.

Would you support it?" One way to get infrastructure built is to ensure that that infrastructure can meet the needs of the sports community by hosting events. We don't have to travel to Cam Loops to see a great example. It's right down the freeway in Langley. The Langley Township has built out the Langley Event Center over the last 15 years, starting with a couple of gyms, then adding an arena and then more gyms and then more gyms and then soccer fields and now more rinks and dry space.

They have partnered with the local school district. They have partnered with professional teams such as the Giants and Bandits and Vancouver Football Club as well as the school district. It's those facilities are used by schools throughout the day. That is the model we should be pursuing. >> Right. >> Thank you. Kudos to the sports teams who bring uh uh these tourism dollars to our community. Thank you very much. However, we have to turn this on its head.

In West Abbottzford, we are sending tourists out to Langley because we don't have facilities here. So, we got to bring them back as well. East Absford will be sending them out as well. So, let's let's build something here. Let's do it. Uh these facilities, the long-term facilities or short-term facilities, Tradeex, Exhibition Park, let's do something there. Thank you, >> David Pelican. >> So, it boils down to not inflating your taxes, but bringing private investors in.

The condo markets collapse, the real estate markets collapse. They're looking for investments. These are the investments they'll be looking for because they guaranteed that these facilities are going to be full and we need to attract that. We're close by the US border. We can attract that. But on the other hand, bringing these Olympic games and everything, our hotels are all rented down. We got to chase all them people out, lose that revenue.

We give all these hotels and everything for the homeless. We didn't look at that plan what we were going to do. So now we have to as a city attract private investors for these facilities and they'll fogg in here to invest in these things and we're not tracking that. That is the mayor and council that ain't looking after its residents but we're going to ask you to benefit pay out of your taxes. That's why I say we go in we unlock that warrior chest and we get that 200 million and we build that because the investors will be here to pay it back.

Ross Semens. >> Thank you. So my priority is entirely clear and has been this term. Abbottzford needs more recreation and sports facilities and we are delivering. While the tournament capital in Cam Loops looks attractive and it is working great for Cam Loops. One of the things that they've done differently in Cam Loops than we do here is they know how to utilize their votes and they get um federal and provincial funding because they're swing ridings.

We are constantly and I have been for the last 10 years we have been in opposition territory federally and proincially. So to unlock some of that federal and provincial funding is very challenging especially in these economic times but that's what cam loops leveraged. I am very open to doing that here, but I think primary focus still has to be on building highquality facilities for our residents and that pool can actually do regional and provincial needs.

So these are the things that we're looking at but we have to focus on our immediate needs now. >> Well, I agree with the cops uh tournament capital idea as part of my campaign. uh I think is a well-run multi-use facility that pays off twice. Residents get better recreation and tournaments bring in hotel dollars, restaurant traffic and retail spending. Absort has a growth, has a location, has highway access, it has a second largest airport in in BC.

Why can't we have a convention center with some nice hotels and great top-notch course facilities and track all those people from not just across Canada, United States, across the world? We have the FIFA teams landed in Cam Loops or about Absburg and went downtown. Think we can do it too. Uh here's what I would do to move it forward. First, commission independent needs and support tourism study. Second, bring clubs, school jurisdict 34, UFV and local business and early funding before uh and private funding before asking taxpayers.

Fourth, phase construction for the most needed pieces come fifth first. And fifth, report public and results, usage, event revenue, and cost recovery. Build smart, build for a community and make its way. >> Thank you, Suni Dami. >> I always talk about Abford's strategic location in respect to having potential uh to be a logistical hub if we wanted to bring business investment. We're a border city. We have a university highway one cutting right through an airport, but no vision.

The same applies to sports. We are so centrally located and there's no reason we can't be the sports tourism capital of the West. Now, we keep talking about hotels. The reasons we don't have enough hotels in Abbottzford because the properties that staff have zoned for hotels already have existing buildings on them. So, no one's going to tear down an existing building to build a hotel because doesn't make any economic sense.

And I think, you know, staff chooses not to understand that. And I think council doesn't even know that. >> Okay. Uh that's everyone. Is there anybody who would like to comment further on this question? We will go Suki Di and then Patricia Tre. >> Yeah, further to uh Mr. Seaman's comments about uh saying in opposition, that's where I can be a little bit more helpful. I was moons ago when I was idealistic. I was 28 years old.

I ran for the BCNDP and West. What that means is I have the ability to call people in provincial government, see they get elected. I I've got friends with the BC conservatives, Bruce Bannon, Harman Bangu. get along with them pretty well too. I've also had the opportunity to manage a campaign called the Federal Liberals. I know we're in concerned country, but I have access to them too. It's a phone call away and I also get along with Sukman Gill and I can work with Brad Biz.

So, if we're looking for money from provincial province and the feds, I'm your guide. >> Thank you, Patricia Theres. Yeah, I just wanted to use this as an opportunity because there's been a lot of comments about uh school facilities and I know we also talked about the joint use agreement which is a very good step in the right direction but I thought I would just point out because we have a captive audience of trustees and there are some current school trustees around the table as well.

The agreement came out with uh three gymnasiums, three locations I think four hours per week. So of all the school facilities that was what the school district came back to the city with. And I do think there's opportunity for them to dig dig deeper. I was hoping that there would be more uh time that could have been given to city residents would be open for us to use as well. So, um just wanted to share that and hopefully that are running for school trustees will also consider continuing that conversation to work with current council to be able to allow us to have some more flexibility with some of those gymnasiums. >> Is there anyone else?

Less Park Bartman. Hello. I was just going to comment on uh we're talking about hosting elite tournaments like Cam Loops. When you have elite and high u quality tournament facilities, you only get to get those uh dates maybe once every two or three years. So the tourism part is is uh needed, but it also has to look after our current uh residents. But if we're thinking that tournaments are going to pay for our facilities that only come up once every 3 four years, I think we have to revisit the plan. >> Uh Shirley Wilson and then Tissson.

Thank you. Two things. One, nobody has any idea, unless you're actually the person booking the facilities in our school district, how absolutely buil uh busy those buildings are. The gyms are full. The multi-purpose rooms are full. We don't use the classrooms because they're technically an office space. Some folks here will appreciate that. The gyms are the sorry the fields. There's a joint use agreement and has been for a long time about city revenue coming in from booking the fields out.

There is tremendous use. This was simply in addition to I'd also like to clarify about the swing writing. Um we're not a swing writing and it has been the success of the bureaucrats working with the bureaucrats that have brought far more schools into our district. Not at all about our relationship with our local officials. That actually hasn't helped us. Thank you. and Ryson. >> Yeah, I was just going to mention um in response to councelor Barkland's comment, >> I would agree the elite worldclass events don't come around every year and and it would be very challenging for Abbottzford to u grab a hold of one of those.

However, high school provincial championships of which there are 15 sports um in this province organized at school at the school level, those do move around. In fact, the Langley Event Center, my favorite place, where I won this championship ball in 2025, by the way, for a basketball uh tournament. They host three 64 team tournaments, a fourlevel girls tournament, a fourle boys tournament, and then two junior level tournaments as well.

Those are those happen every year. Imagine how much money comes into the township of Langley every year because they have the facility that can host it. >> Okay. Any other comments on this question for tourism? >> No. Okay. We will move on then. Our fourth question was not sent to candidates ahead of time. It's our mystery question. It's about public consultation. Need some background here. So when a city is deciding on what sports infrastructure to build and how to build it, no one questions the importance of getting the public's input.

That's why we have let's talk Abbottzford. However, as valuable as the public's input may be, the input of user groups and experts is critical. Now, on a personal note, I'd like to share a positive example of this. Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of collaborating with the parks and recck department about the future of Rotary Stadium, which is now 40 years old. And just going to dubtail what uh Tissson said, we would love to host the provincial championships here, but Rotary Stadium hasn't hosted a major meet in coming 20 years because it's not up to spec anymore.

Back in the glory days of the '90s, we had national championships. We had the NI championships. Uh years ago, we put in the new score clock. Uh Langley put in the jumbotron. Anyways, um we're making plans as to how Rotary can be modernized and improved. As a longtime coach with the Valley Worlds track and field club, they wanted my input. I remain very grateful for that opportunity. I hope to continue those those discussions.

Now, ignoring the advice of user groups and experts can be disastrous. Opportunities are missed. Functionality and even safety are compromised. A case study in this is the newly opened Harry Jerome Recreation Center in North Vancouver. Advice from people who actually know about swimming was ignored and as such the swim clubs and many many residents are very unhappy with the design of the new pool. I would encourage everyone here go on Facebook, look up Brent Aiden.

He's the Olympic swimmer from Mission. Look him up, go through his posts and you'll get the whole story. Okay. Now, as we saw earlier, many are not sold on the idea of a 50 meter training pool. This begs the question, if Abbottzford is doing such a thorough job on consulting the public, user groups, and experts, why is there such a major disconnect between what has been proposed and what people, particularly the user groups, are wanting?

When this type of thing happens, people very quickly become cynical and skeptical about the public engagement process. They begin to question the extent to which their input is being listened to. So, what are your thoughts on Abbottzford's public consultation process? Does the process need an overhaul? If so, how would you change it? What might be some other ways of getting valuable insight as to what to build and how to build it?

I'll repeat that question because again, you weren't given it ahead of time. What are your thoughts on Absurd's public consultation process? Does the process need an overhaul? If so, how would you change it? What might be some other ways of getting valuable insight as to what to build and how to build it? Okay. Uh we are going to start with Shirley Wilson. Sorry. Uh and we are going to Which way did we go last time? It's been long.

Okay. So we will go from Shirley and we will go to J and then back around this way. >> I was a little worried that that was going to happen. Okay. Public consultation the way it's being done right now. I am not a fan. I'm not a fan at all. When when a user group gets to have the biggest voice and that it is what their need is versus what the community need might really be. I'll use um ARC uh not not the new addition but the ice rink, the Olympic size ice rink.

I was on the board of directors for Skate Abbottzford forever vice president and when I learned that that had been built as an Olympic size um sheet to bring people in but they only put 1500 seats in and no parking and that was because there were a couple people that said this is the most necessary thing that we can do. How many times did the figure skating club use it? Not a lot. I think that we can do better. I'm not sure what that looks like yet because I wasn't prepared for the question, but I know we can. >> Thank you.

James Sadu, >> I'll pass. >> Pass Dave Sue. Yeah, I think uh the public consultation as previously mentioned is left talk Abbottzford and there are the social media platforms that are also used and I think definitely there the staff uh at the city of Abbottzford are always open to to have any discussion even if something isn't necessarily being discussed at a city level at that point. So I would encourage everyone anyone to to reach out to the staff if they ever have any questions or concerns and they'd be happy to answer those questions.

Thank you. >> Thank you Samson. Yeah, thank you for the question. This is actually kind of related to what I teach. Qualitative and quantitative research. The qualitative was the anecdotal or the comments you receive. For example, I'm out shopping in the supermarket and somebody come up and chat with me because people know me in this town and say, "Hey, Simon, here's my concern." That's qualitative. The quantitative when you actually do an analysis statistically and come up some figures we can actually apply to the power down you're looking at.

I think the blend of both is what we need. Consultation is everything. It's also the reason why we have an elected city council. We are your council. We are your representatives. We're um your ambassadors to staff. So, make sure that you include council in your loop when you have some concerns. Uh sport Abbottzford, you've got lots of wonderful ideas. Let's get them uh both analyzed both qualitatively and uh and just quantitatively as well.

Uh thank you for that. That's an excellent question. >> Jeremy Cliffs. >> Uh I've spent 15 years as a software developer and every project I've worked on has involved a domain that I don't know anything about. Uh and it means going out and finding out who knows the things that I don't know and I need to need to learn to fix the problem. Uh it's the same thing here. We need to look for our who our partners are, who the stakeholders are, who have the knowledge that we don't have and incorporate that.

We have abbot uh let's talk Abbottzford and we have events like this that are doing a lot of the work, but there's always more we can do and there's always going to be somebody who knows something we don't. Uh and we need to be active in searching those people out and getting their input. Last partner, >> I'm a big fan of having these kind of uh dialogues with people in person. You find facial expressions. You you get people that are very adamant about what they would like.

But as a city, we have to look. And I think what we're dealing with here is do we want what competition level do we want? We want local needs, regional, provincial, western Canadian, national. And if any of you have kids and we have some uh worldass athletes here, you don't stay in Abbottzford, but what you need is you need a base to get to the world class. And we happen to have a individual in our family. He travels all over North America to play world competition uh fast ball and so everything isn't done in Abbottzford but I believe the the base has to come out of our community. >> So uh again as a builder my job is to understand the needs of my clients and then to share my expertise to make it work.

It wouldn't do them any good to give them five bathrooms and one bedroom. Getting the input of the pill people you're building for is paramount to intentional building. Building with the intention of renovating and adding later on is the more costly option. Do the work early on in the planning stage. Make sure you're needing meeting the needs of the ones that will use the facilities regularly and use the knowledge and wisdom of those in our community that know that know what's required.

Council should be working for the people of the city. So listening to the people of the city is most important. Christy Mills. >> Yeah. So, I was excited about this question because one of the reasons why I decided to run was because I've participated in a lot of strategic planning and engaged with groups and then listen to other user groups, but somehow that conversation or what people are asking for doesn't end up coming out in the data on the other side.

And as a nurse, um, if you don't document it, it didn't happen. And so, it didn't happen. My voice was lost. Everybody's voices are getting lost. where is the documentation gone that I took the time to do this engagement yet my voice didn't come out in the data on the other side. So I think that the trust really needs to be rebuilt with the user groups uh with our processes with being able to actually listen and that's why I joined Absford Voice.

That's why we continue to engage in what's uh being said out in the community in real time and that way we actually have a good uh understanding of what's being said but what do we use to back up that data? What are we documenting? what are we showing for so that we actually have metrics on the demands on our facilities and the conversations and how much this is happening and I think that that is really important in order to rebuild trust. >> Patricia Threes. >> Yeah, I took this question quite literal because I do think there are some good things in the process.

There are others that definitely need a big overhaul. Um some of the popups in our engagement, we did pop-ups at rec facilities that were at times that didn't align with when user groups were using them. Uh, some of our survey challenges were that we didn't have open-ended questions or areas for comment. So, people were put in having to choose either an A or B option. Um, I do think there's also an opportunity, speaking of disconnect and trust for council and sports group recre sports group representatives and staff to come together to be able to have the conversations all together because sometimes what's being said in the community doesn't seem to be getting through to council.

Um, so there has to be some way to rebuild that. I also think that as a council we have an opportunity to use uh to speak to user groups on our own time and it takes some time to get to know people and to build relationships but I I think that's a weight that we need to carry and it should be an expectation as uh as going into the future that we have relationships so we can reach out to people >> carbon fing passing >> just a question are you skipping the other question then because you missed a question. >> Uh >> so this is >> no we have we have there is another question after this.

We just inserted the mystery question here. Okay. >> There is one more question that will happen after >> um in mid July. Uh I believe I heard in the meeting there was over 300 surveys completed in regards to facilities. We have overund,000 people that can complete those surveys. In my opinion, 300 is not enough. And I'm not trying to be weird or disrespectful, but as a citizen of Abbottzford, public polication here is not working.

It's actually quite awful. I find it not user friendly. Um the outline doesn't work for me. I remember doing the no light survey. It was an option A, option B. That's it. It was directed in one direction. That doesn't help us. We want to support our community and support our facilities. We should be talking to the leagues, to the schools, to the parks, different languages, coffee shops, person to person. But when we talk those leagues, we should be actually talking to the real leagues, not just the private leagues because we're not just private leagues.

We actually have a lot of leagues in Abbottzford. And it's not just hockey. It's not just softball, there's cricket, there's kabati, there's kabudi, there's golf, there's just golf disc and stuff like that. So please think about this when you are voting. Um, who do you want on that council to support you, your children, your future, your generation? Thank you. >> Am I'll stand for this one. I've been campaigning for six months now and I have spoken to so many presidents of sporting associations, coaches and other sports leaders including sports abrec advocacy and I hate to report this back.

People are telling me am we'll tell you about our concerns. We'll tell you that we're having to pick up needles from fields before we allow our children to play. We'll tell you about the broken glass that's cutting through the feet of our kids. We'll tell you about the homelessness situation where we're having to pick up uh problem homeless people from dugouts before we can play. We'll tell you about these things. But Amri, guess what?

Nothing's going to change. And that's the sentiment I hate to report back is the sentiment that I've been uh experiencing as a result of campaigning. And I intend to change that. The kids, the youth in this community are our future. We need them to be invested in this town just as much as we were when we immigrated here because everyone immigrated here. And so please allow me the opportunity to use some of that experience. >> Thank you Si. >> I feel like standing up too.

Um this is not um a question about consultation. This is about who drives the bus. The reason Langley gets all these facil facilities and all the goodies is because mayor and council drive the bus. In Abbottzford, staff drives the bus. Staff will never ever understand your pain. Until we change that, we'll be stuck in the same situation we are right now. And that's my opinion. >> Well, I agree. All the stakeholders should be consulted.

Round table discussions for example should be held um to get everybody's view to make those decisions. And as you know, this is a sports event, so we're leaning towards sports. But if you look at my campaign, homelessness is a big issue. I just met the nurses union yesterday. And uh you know, we're not just involving Joshua House Ministries or Ground Zero Ministries. There's police, firefighters. Firefighters are so busy all they're doing is deal dealing with overdoses, nurses.

If you go talk to them, I was appalled what's going on. So to deal with those issues, and it's not just homelessness, not just force. Also has so many issues. There's so much to fix. So you have to deal or consult the public or at least the stakeholders on that each issue. >> So I have to say >> thank you Ross Seamus. >> But we seem to have gone a little bit off track there. So if you can repeat the question again. >> Sure. >> What are your thoughts on Abbottzford's public consultation process?

Does the process need an overhaul? If so, how would you change it? what might be some other ways of getting valuable insight as to what to build and how to build it. >> Great. So, there is always room for improvement. I think we've got a good base to work on, but I do think that there and that's one of the challenges in our modern society is how do we communicate with people? We can beg and we can do all sorts of things, but people don't necessarily want to engage.

So, we have to have things like popups. And I think that is a a great example. And I know council Greon has said maybe we need to change the times. I think we need to look at that. I think we need to have more roundt discussions. Um bring people in, bring user groups in, maybe go into the schools. There is always room for improvement. And to be really clear on the framing, the project framing for the 50 meter pool. That is what this project is about.

We are going to have some costs. We're going to have some framing uh what it can be added, what could um should be changed. So those are wide open discussions that we still have to have but we can't have a a discussion a realistic discussion unless we actually have uh an idea of what we're talking about and costs which I think is going to be the next question but that is the pivotal point here is how do we fund all of this >> so yes there is no concept danger from the sports people to the city or to the mayor it is completely broken that I would be ashamed if you go to other mayors and councils and cities.

They do not get embarrassed on a level like this. This is a complete embarrassment when it goes all over social media that they failed. You're young, your seniors, and everybody that's looking for these facilities. They should have been engaged with sports attit where we would move. But now the onus is on the mayor and council and they have to learn to accept this that they failed all of Abbottzford sports. They failed and they failed miserably.

Throwing these small things, spending and finding a piece of land ain't the way. No dialogue, no referendum. >> Thank you. Uh, >> thank you. So, the answer is very very simple and we figured this out in the school board maybe four terms ago. We started doing surveys of our main customers which is the parents and whatever we could get from there we link it now over the years to our strategic plan to our finances and everything is linked from start to the end.

We ask them we uh so there's a major survey done every term and there's some limited small surveys done a few times during a term and that is all linked to our uh strategic plan and to the finances the result couple of years ago or a few years Abbasford school district was not the best in BC was not the best in Canada was one of the best school districts in the world and that's how you get to it the answer is very simple Ask the taxpayers and they will let you >> This is a great question and I appreciate some of the responses already.

Um I met Steve Coleman uh one of the first gentlemen I met uh in April and I had to admit to him I'd never heard of sport Absford. Then I met Brooke and Abby and I had to admit to them I'd never heard of Abbisford recreation advocacy. These are two dynamic groups of sport leaders in our city that can provide tremendous feedback. Uh what I've learned over the years as a school administrator is squeaky wheels respond to surveys.

If you want uh answers from people on the ground, you need to go have conversations with them. That's what I'd be willing to do. And that's what I've been doing since I announced my candidacy. Much like Emer, I've met with many of the sport leaders in Abbottzford, have heard many of their opinions and believe that I have enough information to help council move forward. >> She Ross, >> thank you. Yes, if you're telling me that you're not feeling heard, I accept that and I think we need to look at how we can do better.

But the way people want to communicate with city hall is different for different people. We've tried to have a variety of different ways to appeal to that. But, you know, if we've missed something, please tell us what works for you and what you prefer because we'd love to hear hear your better ideas on how we can improve. Doris Wooden McMillan. >> I don't believe that the current public consultation process is working because we came out the plans came out uh for the upgrades that were to be done and there has been no end of people who have complained about the plans.

That indicates to me that not everybody was on board. I honestly don't have a a a light bulb that I can think of that I can say this would work or that would work. Not everybody uses social media. Not everybody is going to respond to a letter, but you have to come up with a way to actually reach people and get what they truly want. We have to be able to reach them in different ways. >> Mark Orinson. >> Yeah, thanks. So, this is something I've learned uh this last term on council.

Our process, I'm going to defend it as a good process overall with some areas for improvement. We have to go broadly, which we do, and ask all of the people at Abisford what they think and try to reach out. Sometimes, I think where we could do better is go deeper with user groups to say we need to hear more specifically from you. So, that's an area for improvement. Secondly, sometimes the whole thing takes too long. Uh, and we're going to talk about Mil Lake for a second.

With Mil Lake master plan, I and the rest of council pushed to say, "We have to get this done. We have to move this faster. We have to get it over the finish line." And we finally sat down and took some time as council to workshop it and say, "We don't need more public consultation. We just need to grapple with this thing, figure it out. Council has limited time that costs time, but it's what we need to do as council sometimes." Thanks.

Dan passing and back to Shirley. Okay. Is there anybody who would like to add further comment to this question about consultation? Jasmine Per. >> I just want to say um as an athlete, someone that's currently training for the 2020 Olympic Games, a Pan-American Games medalist, a Commonwealth Games medalist, um I live the value of sport every single day. But I believe one of the things I'm running is transparency and accountability.

I've knocked on 22,000 doors because I care about this community. I'm ready to fight for this community. Um I'm going to have open town halls and left when I'm elected because I want to make sure every resident in Evers feels heard. Um I believe a lot of people will say things just to get elected, but I feel like action speaks louder than words. And that's why I'm knocking on every single door in Abbottzford and I will make sure that everyone here feels heard.

I fought for this country for 19 years and now I'm ready to fight for the city of Abbottzford. The last thing I want to say, thank you to Mayor and Council for everything you've done. Let's be positive, guys. There's always room to do better, but I believe to build a community, it's with positivity, not negativity, and don't divide. Bring bring everyone together. Thank you. >> Any other comments on public consultation? >> No.

Okay. So we will move on to this is our last uh formal question from sport Absford and looks like we're doing fairly well for time. So hopefully we'll have some time for we should have some time for questions from the audience. Okay, last question is about funding new facilities and comparing the cost of building with with the cost of waiting. Even if we can all agree on the many benefits of having quality sports facilities, the question remains, how does a city pay for it?

Leaving any private money out of the equation for now, the choices available to a city exist on a spectrum. On one end, there's the save and build when you can pay for it outright, thus avoiding debt approach. Notwithstanding the debt taken on by Abbottzford for the plan a projects of the 2000s, some view Abbottzford as having taken this significant approach, criticizing its leaders for being too fiscally conservative or too risk adverse.

On the other end, there's the borrow and build it now approach. Cities who do this point to the fact that in recent years, building costs have increased at a much higher rate than any interest a city has received on its capital reserves. Therefore, it makes sense to build service the debt for the $50 million project of today rather than waiting for another few years for that same project to cost 150 million. The township of Langley has taken this approach over the past four years.

They've invested very heavily in sports and recreation infrastructure. However, having accumulated significant debt in the process, they too have received their share of criticism for taking what some have viewed as too financially risky of an approach. Debate will always exist as to where the appropriate middle ground between these two approaches might be, assuming there is one. So with these considerations, what would be your vision for stewarding our city's resources and tax dollars if elected?

To what extent, if any, do you feel it makes sense for Abbottzburg to take on debt to get things built? What are some other potential sources of revenue for the city? For this one, we are going to start with Dave Sue and we will work our way and see. Okay, you go ahead. >> Thank you. I believe in being ambitious but also being fiscally responsible for major recreation infrastructure that will serve Absford for decades.

I'm open to reasonable boring rather than delaying projects while costs continue to rise. I want to combine this with the reserves, senior level government grants and growth related funding, partnership and sponsorship. And the goal is to build what Abser needs while protecting taxpayers and making sure every dollar delivers in long-term value. I think uh when we talk about some of the parks and w or infrastructure that we would all like to see built sooner, we got to keep in mind that uh we don't want to do that with increasing property taxes cuz some of us can afford that or others can't.

So we need to keep that in mind and that's that's my message there. Thank you. >> Thank you Jud. >> For me being responsible with taxpayers money is really important. We already have a a 4.4 44% property increase and 005 infrastructure leveling in budget 2026. So we need to be careful about adding more cost to taxpayers. I'm not completely against taking a debt. I think there are times when boring makes sense especially for major facilities that our community really needs and will use for many years.

But I would want to make sure we can actually afford it and look at other options, pursue provincial and federal grants, work with local sports groups, businesses, look at sponsorships and fundraising and use reasonable user fees where it makes sense. At the end of the day, I think we need to ask, do we really need it? Can we afford it? And what is the best way to pay for it without putting too much pressure on taxpayers?

If elected, I would want work with the residents. >> Thank you, Shirley Wilson. >> So, as 21 years in a school district know that we can't borrow money, so we have to be fiscally responsible. Districts around us this year cut between$1 and5 million. We added new initiatives and that was without borrowing. Having said that, I do think we don't need to blow the bank, but we do need to borrow, but we still need to save.

There is a balance there. The longer we wait, the more expensive that this gets. My daughter at age 17, she didn't want to rent. She didn't want to save for a mortgage. She just wanted to own a house. She's 31. She still rents. She can't own a house. So, there we are. And if we approach it that we don't want to borrow, then we may not get what we need, not even a new car. So there you go. Um, I fully support what is happening now, but I do know emergencies happen, so we need to hold on to some of that as well.

I think it's really important that we balance this. >> Yeah, sure. >> I believe we build it now because we build it for the future. We are really growing community. We have airports and we close to everything and we have wonderful community here and we have more and more people moving in for that. A great idea we build right now. Soon the better. Thank you >> Mark Warington. >> Yeah, thank you. So um you've heard me outline this already.

I think the big item is the pool. I think we're there's no other way to pay for it but by borrowing. We're probably talking about a hundred million, maybe 200 million. Here's the math you need to pay attention to. I think if we're borrowing a hund00 million, property taxes, probably have to go up by about 4%. Somewhere in there. So on top of a regular 4% tax increase, we would be asking Absford to pay another four. So that's eight.

So, and that those funds are not available from Capital Reserve. Anybody who's saying that out there that says we have money in the piggy bank, not for a pool, we don't. We are by law not allowed to touch that except for other capital projects like sewers and so on. So here's my challenge to you folks. You're all you're when it comes time for to talk about an increase, will you be on board and support that or will you be crit critical of it?

I hope you're supportive. Thanks >> Doris. >> Tax in increases should be the last answer, not the first. We need to uh make the citizens aware of what is available in the reserves if there is any that we have available for projects. We need to make sure that Abbottzford is pursuing every provincial, federal, and sport grant available. I would encourage local businesses, foundations, and donors to help build facilities through donations, sponsorships, and naming rights without giving away public control.

Use private partners where they can build faster or reduce risk, but make sure that every long-term obligation is known. Keep user fees reasonable. Strengthen the targeted passes for people who cannot afford them instead of making every program free. Some debt is justified for a facility that serves several generations, but only with a public repayment plan. >> Patricia Ross, >> thank you. Yes, I I think I've spoken already a couple of times about, you know, the financial aspect, but I want to talk about one specific method, and that's referendums.

And I want to talk about that because a lot of people have asked me about that and said, why don't you just put it to a referendum? And I'm not opposed to that, but I just want to point out the risk. A lot of communities have moved away from referendums because often what happens is people get a look at the price tag and the people who don't want to pay that come out in droves and it will get voted down and then our hands are tied as a council.

We know we need it. We want to build it and if it gets turned down in a referendum we can't. So I just want to say that's that's a big risk. I think we need to acknowledge that our uh current council as well as previous mayors and council have been very prudent with our tax dollars in Abbottzford. Uh we have among the lowest debt ratios of uh any of our local municipalities and we're in great shape financially. But the problem when you function that way is eventually it can't catch up to you.

And that's the position we find ourselves in now. Um, it's interesting if you look at the Massie Tunnel project which was first proposed in 2017 and then which would have been finished in 2021 and then was cancelled and now restarted at a figure that's twice what the original one was, which was going to be a 10 lane bridge and now it's an eight lane tunnel. We have to be careful that we're so afraid of building and potentially borrowing that we are hamstrung.

Right. >> Thank you. Uh we have to look at different ways of getting money. Provincial, federal, we've all talked about it. However, debt is not a bad word. If you look at say the last 20 years, the amount if you had spent 100 bucks 20 years ago and 100 bucks spent now, you're getting less than half the service. So 100 bucks there will probably cost you now 250 bucks. If you borrow 100 bucks at 4% in 20 years time you're paying $155 which is way less than 200.

So let's build everything for ourselves and our kids not wait for our grandchildren to have them. And being a professional accountant I love numbers. Well there's another number. If it's 5% then it would be $167 interest. >> David, >> you want to say that question again? >> Okay. Uh, with these considerations, what would be your vision for stewarding our city's resources and tax dollars if elected? To what extent, if any, do you feel it makes sense for Abbasford to take on debt to get things built?

What are some other potential sources of revenue for the city? So taking on debt is not a bad thing when it comes to your own residence or when it comes to your safety or hospitals. You got to take on debt to move forward. And if you don't move forward, you're going to be way behind. And Abbottzford is turning into a very bad town. You could drive through it. It's no fun town. It's really bad. It's gone down, down, down.

We have to take on that debt. 600 million in the city. The sewers haven't been upgraded. Mark Lorton team and Sugami said he knows Bruce and all them. Everybody knows everyone. But it boils down to getting this job done. And that job hasn't been done for many years. The last mayor that held public hearings and packed the building was George Ferguson because he listened to the residents and he heard the residents. Bruce Bamman was very very fiscal responsible and saved a lot of money.

We have to move this forward and we got to move this forward for our young, for our youth, for our kids and we have to take that debt on. But >> thank you, Ros. >> Thank you. Um, putting my business hat on. I believe that debt should be used as a precision tool, not a default funding source. And the harsh reality is we have four and a half to5 billion dollar worth of infrastructure that has to be upgraded and maintained as we get to a population of 250,000 people.

We have $400 million right now in our reserves. Those reserves are earmarked for sewer water roads collected from developers not on the backs of the taxpayer. So we have to be cautious that we can't if we borrow against that we have to borrow we have to pay that back with interest to those funds. Um, so four% property tax increase or between a