The “Yes to the Civic Centre” campaign office is officially open in West Kelowna, to promote the borrowing of $7.7 million for a new civic centre and city hall.
“I challenge you to go to the municipal hall have a look at the working conditions right now of some of the employees there,” Yes Committee Co-chair Gordon Milsom said at the office opening. “It’s not very good at all.”
The plans also include building offices to house interior health, as well as residential towers.
“It’s bound to create new business in this area and a new tax base,” West Kelowna Mayor, Doug Findlater said from the podium.
Findlater is not hesitant to express his support for the “Yes” campaign, and says election officials have told him it’s fine for council to have an opinion.
“We have taken a position in putting forward this proposal and we’re out to support it.”
In may, the issue was forced to referendum, after opponents gathered almost 39 hundred signatures in the Alternative Approval Process. West Kelowna resident Ian Graham led the charge.
“And we whipped their bottom,” said Graham.
Graham says opponents of the project believe it is too costly, and that now is not
the time for such a large expenditure.
“I think they’re starting to understand the timing is wrong because they’re announcing now they have to spend $55 million on water systems here in west Kelowna.”
Graham says the “Yes” side seems to have plenty of money for its campaign, but he says the “No” side is up for the challenge.
“We’ll collect a few more hundred dollars and eventually we’ll be on everybody’s doorstep.”
The referendum is on September 17.
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