What issues were identified with the original site? (Option 3)

    Expert advice provided to the SCRD has indicated that a hall at the original proposed site (Option 3) would be at risk of damage due to sea level rise. The changes required to alleviate this issue would result in a substantial increase to the construction budget for the project. 

    You can learn more about the issues identified and the work that would be involved in further exploration of this site in this video which features SCRD staff providing an explanation during a recent committee meeting. 

    Can we renovate the current hall?

    Any significant renovations to the existing hall would require compliance with the current BC Building Code and would likely be subject to expert guidance warning of damage due to sea level rise.

    How much money has been spent on this project to date?

    Approximately $350,000 of the $4.5M budget has been spent to date. This has included detailed engineering design, archaeological assessments and other technical analysis that were required to get to this point.

    Will the SCRD still be able to use the grant obtained through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)?

    Yes. The SCRD has until March 31, 2025, to utilize the $2,013,641 received through this grant. The grant must be used for construction of a new hall and cannot be used for a different project.

    What are the next steps in this project?

    The survey will run from December 20, 2022, until January 20, 2023. The results from the survey will be compiled and staff will return to the Board in early 2023.  At that time, staff will seek a decision from the Board on the final site for the hall so that the project can commence.

    Who is paying for this hall?

    The construction budget is currently $4.5 million. $2 million of this budget is being provided through the ICIP grant and a minimum of $345,000 has come from fundraising through the Halfmoon Bay Community Association. The remaining amount of just over $2 million is being funded through the five rural areas in the SCRD (Egmont / Pender Harbour, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone and West Howe Sound).

    Who gets to use the hall?

    While the hall will be in Halfmoon Bay, residents from anywhere on the Sunshine Coast can use it.  

    What happens if construction on a new hall does not proceed?

    The SCRD has until the end of March 2025 to utilize a substantial grant which was provided for his project. If the project does not proceed, then this grant funding would be returned. Other funding through taxation would also no longer be required.