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Maple Ridge voters to decide fate of three recreation projects in referendum
Maple Ridge voters will decide on Oct. 17 whether to authorize borrowing for an aquatic centre, an arena expansion and a multi-use park. All three projects together could require up to $393 million in borrowing.
A referendum will be held during Maple Ridge’s local election on Saturday, Oct. 17. Voters will mark yes or no separately on three recreation proposals: a new aquatic centre, two additional ice sheets at Planet Ice, and conversion of Maple Ridge Golf Course into a 40-acre multi-use park that would include two ball diamonds. Any, all or none of the projects could pass. Provincial law requires voter assent before the city can take on long-term borrowing. If all three are approved, the combined borrowing authorization would be up to $393 million.
The proposed aquatic centre would include a 37.5-metre lane pool, leisure pool, toddler area, lazy river, water slide, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, gymnasium, multipurpose room, and arts and culture room. The site would also have a small baseball field and parking above and below ground.
The golf course land would be redeveloped with two baseball diamonds, a washroom and field house, trails and walking paths, viewpoints and lookout platforms, picnic and gathering areas, a park entrance and plaza, and parking. A possible second phase could add sports courts, a youth action park, a large spray park, a destination playground and other amenities.
The Albion twin-rink arena expansion would add a 2,000-seat spectator rink with premium viewing suites and a second rink with seating for 200. The addition would also feature a large lobby, skate rental shop, multipurpose rooms, fitness centre, and concessions on the first and second levels.
The three questions ask whether voters support the city adopting these loan authorization bylaws: Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8123-2026, authorizing up to $227 million over a term of up to 25 years to build the centre at 11509 207 Street, 20601 Westfield Avenue and an unaddressed property, PID 013-715-984; Hammond Multi-Use Community Park Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8124-2026, authorizing up to $23 million over up to 25 years for a park at 20818 Golf Lane; and Albion Twin-Rink Arenas Expansion Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 8122-2026, authorizing up to $143 million over up to 25 years for an expansion at 23588 Jim Robson Way.
A question passes if more than 50 per cent of valid votes cast on it are yes. A yes vote would let the city borrow up to that project’s stated maximum for a term of up to 25 years. The city would continue to seek grants, sponsorships, partnerships and other funding to reduce the final amount borrowed.
The referendum is non-binding, so a newly elected council is not legally required to proceed. A yes vote would give the city public approval to borrow for the project. If approved in the referendum and adopted by council, a project would move into detailed design, further public engagement, procurement planning and construction preparation. A no vote means the city cannot borrow for that project.
Details are available at MapleRidge.ca/RecreationReady (https://www.mapleridge.ca/art-parks-rec/recreation-ready). Questions can be sent to RecreationReady@MapleRidge.ca.