2026 Plebiscite: Sooke Gathering Place Intergenerational Centre

The Sooke Gathering Place is a concept for a community facility that would provide dedicated space for seniors while also supporting intergenerational programs and activities involving youth, families and other community members.

Potential uses could include social, cultural and recreational activities; community meetings; learning and mentorship; wellness and community-support programs; and shared indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.

A final facility design, program, operating model and project budget have not been determined.

“Intergenerational” means creating spaces and opportunities that can be used by people at different stages of life.

The concept recognizes that seniors, youth, children, families and other residents may have different needs while also benefiting from shared spaces, programs and community connections.

An intergenerational approach could include activities specifically intended for one group as well as programming that brings different generations together. The intent is to support community connection while making efficient use of shared spaces.

A “YES” vote would indicate support for the District considering borrowing up to a maximum of $5 million for the purpose described in the question.

It would not authorize borrowing, approve construction or commit the District to proceeding with the project.

If a majority votes “YES,” staff would report back to Council with information about feasibility, costs, operations, potential partners, governance, the site and any required statutory approvals before borrowing or project commitments are considered.

A majority “NO” result would indicate that most participating voters do not support the District considering borrowing up to a maximum of $5 million for the purpose described in the question.

Because the plebiscite is non-binding, the result will inform rather than legally determine future Council decisions.

No. The plebiscite is intended to gather public opinion. Its result will inform Council’s future consideration of the concept but will not legally authorize borrowing, approve the project or require Council to proceed.

A majority “YES” result would indicate that a majority of participating voters support the District continuing to explore options for a Sooke Gathering Place facility, including the possibility of borrowing up to a maximum of $5 million.

The vote would not:

• authorize the District to borrow money;
• approve a total project budget;
• approve a property-tax increase;
• approve a building design or construction contract;
• determine the facility’s size, programs or services;
• establish an operating or governance model;
• approve an ongoing municipal operating contribution; or
• commit a specific portion of 6671 Wadams Way to the project.

Each of these matters would require further information, additional public process where applicable, and separate consideration by Council.

Developing a community facility could require a significant financial contribution and a long-term operating commitment.

The non-binding question gives voters an opportunity to express their opinion before the District undertakes more detailed project, financial and partnership planning.

Including a maximum potential borrowing amount is intended to provide a more tangible basis for public feedback than asking about the concept without identifying a possible level of District investment.

The question is intended to test public opinion about a potential District borrowing contribution of no more than $5 million.

The $5 million is not an approved expenditure and is not an estimate of the project’s total cost. A total project budget has not been established.

A future project could involve other funding sources, including grants, partner contributions or fundraising. No additional funding has been confirmed.

Borrowing would create annual debt-servicing costs that would need to be incorporated into the District’s financial plan.

For public information purposes, the following table shows the approximate property-tax impact of borrowing between $2 million and $5 million over 20 years at an assumed interest rate of 4%.

These estimates illustrate potential debt-servicing costs only. They do not include future facility operating, maintenance, renewal or lifecycle costs. Those costs, and how they could be funded, have not been determined.

Under the maximum borrowing scenario of $5 million, the estimated annual debt-servicing cost would be approximately $367,909. This is equivalent to an estimated 2.55% increase in municipal property taxes, or approximately $4.25 per month—$51.03 per year—for an average residential property.

These figures are estimates only and do not represent an approved tax increase or final borrowing plan. Actual costs would depend on:

• the final amount borrowed;
• interest rates at the time of borrowing;
• the repayment term and timing of the borrowing;
• applicable Municipal Finance Authority requirements;
• grants, fundraising or partner contributions;
• changes in the municipal tax base; and
• other financial-plan decisions made by Council.

The estimates apply only to the District’s municipal portion of the property-tax notice. They do not represent the percentage change to the total property-tax bill, which also includes amounts collected for other taxing authorities. The impact on an individual property would vary depending on its assessed value and property classification.

A majority “YES” vote would not authorize borrowing or approve a property-tax increase. If a borrowing proposal advances, updated financial information would be prepared and presented publicly before Council considers borrowing or seeks any required statutory approval.

“Support the construction” means that the potential borrowing would represent a District contribution toward the project. It does not mean that $5 million has been established as the total project cost, that this amount would be sufficient to construct the facility, or that the District would fund the entire project.

The total project cost, funding sources and financial responsibilities of any potential partners have not been determined.

The question is intended to determine whether voters support the District considering borrowing up to a maximum of $5 million as part of a broader funding approach. Any borrowing would require further information, separate Council decisions and the applicable statutory approval process.

This refers broadly to early costs that may be required to prepare a facility to open and begin operating.

The specific costs, activities, time period and funding responsibilities included in operational start-up have not been determined. The question does not approve an ongoing municipal operating contribution.

These matters would form part of future feasibility and business planning before any project or operating commitment is considered.

The opinion question identifies District-owned property at 6671 Wadams Way, also known as Lot A, as the potential location for the Sooke Gathering Place, next to the Sooke Library.

Because the question is non-binding, it would not commit the property to this use, approve a final site plan or authorize construction. Instead, it would provide Council with public opinion on the prospect of locating the centre on this site as part of any future planning and consideration.

The property includes four conceptual quadrants, and the Gathering Place has generally been contemplated within one quadrant, consistent with earlier community design discussions.

A final building location, footprint, access arrangement and relationship to other potential uses of the property have not been determined. These matters would require further technical review, planning and future Council consideration.

No. The plebiscite would not reserve, transfer or commit the property—or a specific portion of it—to the Sooke Gathering Place.

Site planning, land allocation, tenure arrangements and compatibility with other current or potential uses would require further review and future Council decisions.

The question will appear on the ballot during the October 17, 2026 general local election.

Information about voter eligibility, advance voting, voting locations and mail-ballot opportunities will be provided at sooke.ca/elections.