Bylaw No. 643 - Strathcona Gardens Recreation Facility Service

Bylaw No. 643 proposes to amend the Strathcona Gardens recreation facility service by adding Quadra Island as a participating area and changing how the costs of the service are shared among participating communities.

The SRD Board commissioned a regional recreation study to investigate whether any SRD communities had reasonable benefit and functional access to an adjacent recreation facility.  One of the mandates of regional districts is to ensure that those who receive the benefit of a service contribute toward its upkeep.

As identified in the consultant’s report, Quadra Island was recognized as receiving benefit from Strathcona Gardens, and Electoral Area A was identified as receiving a similar benefit from the Kelsey Centre in the Village of Sayward.

Yes. The study found that between 21% and 46% of participants in various Strathcona Gardens activities came from outside the City of Campbell River and Electoral Area D.

The findings helped inform the Board's consideration of whether communities outside the current service area benefit from the facility.

Strathcona Gardens is a shared sub-regional recreation service, and Bylaw No. 643 proposes changes that would affect all three communities: Campbell River, Electoral Area D and Quadra Island.

Campbell River and Electoral Area D are existing participants whose property owners have funded the facility's operations, maintenance and capital improvements for many years. The proposed inclusion of Quadra Island follows a Regional Recreation Study that identified the community as benefiting from the facility.

The Regional Board has a responsibility to consider how the costs of regional services are shared fairly among the communities that benefit from them. Since the proposed bylaw would affect both participation in the service and how costs are shared, the Board proceeded with a combined assent vote to provide eligible voters in all three affected areas with an opportunity to have their say.

Under this process, all eligible voters vote on the same question, with the results counted together. A majority of valid votes across the combined voting area is required for the bylaw to receive elector approval.

Yes. If Bylaw No. 643 is adopted, the Electoral Area C Director would become a member of the Strathcona Gardens Commission, providing Quadra Island with direct representation and a voice in future decisions about the facility's operations, funding and planning, alongside representatives from Campbell River and Electoral Area D.

Costs not covered by user fees and other revenues would be funded through property taxation using the following percentages of converted hospital assessments:

• City of Campbell River: 100%
• Electoral Area D: 90%
• Quadra Island: 80%

These percentages are used to calculate each area's share of the costs. They do not represent the percentage of the total budget each community would pay or the percentage increase in individual property taxes.

The formula takes into consideration differences in distance and access to the facility.

Campbell River and Electoral Area D are existing participants in the Strathcona Gardens service and have funded its operations, maintenance and capital improvements through property taxation for many years.

Quadra Island is not currently a participating area. If Bylaw No. 643 is adopted, property owners on Quadra Island would begin contributing to the service through property taxation.

Campbell River and Electoral Area D would continue contributing to the service under the amended cost-sharing formula.

The proposed change would therefore introduce a new tax contribution for Quadra Island, while Campbell River and Electoral Area D would continue paying toward a service they already fund. Contributions in all three areas would be calculated using an assessment-based formula that recognizes differences in distance and access to the facility.

If Bylaw No. 643 is adopted, the estimated annual property tax contribution for an average residential property on Quadra Island would be approximately $460, based on 2026 assessed property values.

While this represents a new property tax contribution because Quadra Island does not currently participate in the service, the amount would be calculated using the same assessment-based cost-sharing formula applied to Campbell River and Electoral Area D, with adjustments to reflect differences in distance and access to the facility.

The actual amount would depend on the assessed value of each property and the annual costs of providing the service.

Converted hospital assessment is a method used to calculate property values for taxation purposes. For residential properties, hospital assessment is generally the same as the property's assessed value minus property values that are exempt. When ‘converted ’, the assessed value is multiplied by 10% in comparison to other classes of property, which are usually multiplied by a higher rate. For these types of properties, such as utilities and farmland, different calculations may apply. This method helps determine how property taxes are shared among participating communities to fund services for regional districts.

On July 23, 2026, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs wrote to the SRD Board Chair requesting a meeting regarding Bylaw No. 643 and clarification on several matters brought to the Ministry's attention, including concerns that the REC-REATE project was over budget.

The SRD responded on July 31, 2026, addressing the Minister's questions, clarifying inaccurate information and confirming that the REC-REATE project remains on schedule and within its approved budget. The SRD also confirmed its willingness to meet with the Minister.

That same day, the SRD received provincial approval for Bylaw No. 643. Following this approval, and in accordance with the SRD's standard bylaw approval process, Bylaw No. 643 was brought forward to the Board at its next meeting for consideration, where the Board approved the ballot question to be asked of electors.

In further correspondence dated August 31, 2026, the Minister expressed a preference for Quadra Island to have a separate vote, while acknowledging that the decision on the voting process was at the SRD Board's discretion. The Minister did not direct the SRD to change the voting process or indicate that the combined approach did not comply with legislative requirements.

The SRD proceeded with a combined assent vote, as permitted under the Local Government Act, with eligible voters in Campbell River, Electoral Area D and Quadra Island voting on the same question on October 17, 2026.

The SRD regularly receives correspondence from provincial ministries and other government agencies, including requests for meetings, information and clarification on various matters.

These requests are typically addressed through the SRD's established administrative processes and are not automatically brought forward to the Board. Matters requiring Board consideration or direction are brought forward as appropriate.

In this case, the SRD responded to the Minister's questions regarding Bylaw No. 643 and confirmed its willingness to meet. Following provincial approval, the bylaw was brought forward to the Board for consideration in accordance with the SRD's standard process.

Eligible resident electors and non-resident property electors within the City of Campbell River, Electoral Area D (Oyster Bay–Buttle Lake) and Quadra Island may vote on Bylaw No. 643.

Each eligible elector may vote once on the assent voting question, regardless of the number of properties they own.

For eligibility requirements, visit the Local Elections and Voting page.

General Voting Day is Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Advance voting opportunities are scheduled for October 7 and 15, 2026, at designated locations.

Mail ballot voting is also available to qualified electors who applied by the October 7, 2026 deadline. Completed mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer before voting closes on October 17, 2026.

For eligibility requirements and additional information, visit the Local Elections and Voting page.

• Strathcona Regional District Office, 990 Cedar Street, Campbell River, B.C.
• Ocean Grove School, 3773 Mclelan Rd, Campbell River, B.C.
• Oyster River School, 2250 Terrain Rd, Campbell River, B.C.
• Quadra Elementary School, 678 Heriot Bay Rd, Quathiaski Cove, B.C.
• Quadra Golf Course, 950 Heriot Bay Rd, Quathiaski Cove, B.C.
• Manson’s Community Hall, 983 Beesley Rd, Mansons Landing, B.C.
• Gorge Hall, 1375 Robertson Rd, Whaletown, B.C.

• Campbell River Community Centre, 401-11th Avenue, Campbell River, BC
• Sportsplex, 1800 South Alder Street, Campbell River, BC

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

• Strathcona Regional District Office, 990 Cedar Street, Campbell River, B.C. 

The following voting location will only serve electors who are eligible to vote on Bylaw No. 643. Those electors will receive all ballots they are eligible to cast, including ballots for any other applicable elections or assent votes.

• Campbell River Community Centre, 401-11th Avenue, Campbell River, BC

Wednesday, October 14

The following voting location will only serve electors who are eligible to vote on Bylaw No. 643. Those electors will receive all ballots they are eligible to cast, including ballots for any other applicable elections or assent votes.

• Sportsplex, 1800 South Alder Street, Campbell River, BC

Thursday, October 15

• Strathcona Regional District Office, 990 Cedar Street, Campbell River, B.C.