Victoria residents face a referendum on replacing the aging Crystal Pool with a new, larger facility, potentially leading to significant tax increases. The cost of the project has skyrocketed due to inflation, material shortages, and other factors, reaching up to $216 million. Both proposed options, located near each other, offer high-end amenities but would require annual tax hikes of 7.24% to 7.54% for 20 years.
A commentary by the vice-chair of Grumpy Taxpayer$ of Greater Victoria , a non-partisan citizens advocacy group for municipal taxpayers.That may change during the next few weeks now that municipal taxpayers — about half of those on the South Island — are faced with voting on whether to approve two costly infrastructure projects.
With five interest rate decreases since June, perhaps the financing of the project has fundamentally changed? Critics though point to the more modest and smaller aquatic centre that’s proposed in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. It would be helpful if Victoria provided taxpayers with the net present value. While they are at it, they need to justify and account for the substantial cost difference in the two facilities.
Infrastructure Taxes Referendum Crystal Pool Victoria
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