To the editor:
Re: "Community centres protest park board's plan," Feb. 1.
It's disappointing to see some of the comments from Community Centre Association representatives about the new joint operating agreement the park board is proposing. Claims of budget cuts or slashing of programs are simply untrue.
The current agreement is 40years-old and needs to be updated. The current model has resulted in growing funding inequality across the system, with varying levels of service, programming, and fees at different community centres.
Your tax dollars pay for these services and buildings, yet there is unequal access throughout Vancouver. We don't do this for libraries, ice rinks or public education. Why would it be acceptable for community centres?
We believe that residents in all neighbourhoods deserve the same high quality of service, no matter what community centre they go to. Park board staff have met more than 50 times with the community centre associations. This process has resulted in a proposed framework that attempts to meet the goals of better access and equality.
Under any new partnership agreement, all programs and services offered by our community centres will continue. No buildings will be closed down. No equipment will be taken away. The money that community centre associations have currently raised - roughly $12 million - will remain with the associations. Local associations will still determine neighbourhood-specific programming.
And claims about a "cash strapped park board'" are simply false. Our 2012 budget was balanced and we've increased our 2013 budget by $2.4 million - investing in new programs, services and park maintenance. We're also coming off record years of capital investment through partnerships with the federal government, delivering new sports fields at Memorial Park and Jericho, and major improvements to Grandview, Nor-quay and Fraserview parks.
We will continue to work with the community centre associations this spring to ensure that a new partnership agreement benefits all Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»residents.
Niki Sharma, Commissioner Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Park Board
