Development, Housing

SRD Staff Looking Into Funding Possibilities For Two Cortes Building Projects

At their Tuesday, March 11, meeting the Electoral Areas Services Committee (EASC) discussed further funding possibilities for the Rainbow Ridge affordable Housing Project and the new multi-use sports court.

Staff was instructed to prepare a report about the possibility of using utilizing $200,000 from Cortes Island’s Community Works (Gas Tax) funds to support the installation of the septic system and waterworks facility. This is approximately a third of the project’s estimated cost.  

Clearing the Rainbow Ridge site – courtesy Cortes Island Housing Society
Aierial view focusing on Rainbow Ridge – drone footage courtesy Mark Vonesch

Mark Vonesch, Regional Director for Cortes Island, explained, “We’ve finally broken ground to develop some affordable housing in Cortes. The Cortes Housing Society has just cleared an area on the Rainbow Ridge land to start building seven affordable units, as well as a public waterworks facility. That will include a bathroom, baths, laundromat, and a sauna.”

Rainbow Ridge has applied to BC Housing for funding three times in the past, only to be turned down. 

“I really want to congratulate the Cortes Housing Society for moving ahead on the Rainbow Ridge Housing Project. I’m really impressed with their tenacity,” exclaimed Vonesch. “Instead of going after BC Housing money, and building a road to Ministry of Transportation standards, they’ve changed course and are using local materials, a local crew and building something that’s more affordable and getting it started in phases.”

The motion to have staff prepare a report was seconded by Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney and carried by the board.

Vonesch also brought forward a motion that staff prepare a report about using  $100,000 of Community Works funds for a proposed multi use sports court. 

It would sit on a parcel of land that the Southern Cortes Community Association (SCCA) leases from the SRD for a skateboard court. 

Vonesch pointed out that the SCCA would also be the tenant in this case. 

SRD staff was concerned about ongoing maintenance costs, zoning, and the impact on existing park operations.  

Aniko Nelson, Senior Manager of Community Services, advised, “There still are a number of questions that Parks staff would have with respect to the proposal. I don’t have all of the new details. This is the first I’ve seen of this new design.” 

CAO David Leitch was not sure if the skate park had been funded through Community Works. 

Vonesch replied that it has been funded privately. 

EASC passed a motion that staff draw up a report and that a lease arrangement, similar to the skate board park’s, be prepared with the SCCA.

Links of Interest:

Top image credit: Aerial view of development in Mansons Landing – drone footage courtesy Mark Vonesch

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