Media release: Key dates and voter eligibility

23 Oct 2023

On November 4, 2023, eligible voters in Summerland will take part in a referendum for the Summerland Recreation Centre – a new multi-purpose indoor recreation facility. If electors vote in favour of the referendum question, the Recreation Centre will replace the Summerland Aquatic & Fitness Centre, which is at the end of its useable life.

The proposed new facility includes an aquatic centre (that features a lap pool, leisure pool, hot tub, sauna or steam room); fitness centre; fitness/activity multi-purpose room; family/youth multi-purpose room; universal access and family change rooms; and modern energy efficiency building standards (minimum LEED Silver).

Over the last several weeks, the District of Summerland has been sharing detailed project information to help voters make a well-informed decision for their own household on November 4. If you are looking for any of the information the District has distributed, you can visit www.summerland.ca/recreationcentre to find a link to an interactive webpage with all the information in one place. On that page, you can also find referendum-related videos, the 2018 Parks and Recreation Master Plan, associated studies and reports, and more.

Now it’s time to prepare for upcoming voting opportunities.

What is the referendum question that will be asked on the ballot?

Eligible Summerland voters will be asked to make an appropriate mark next to either the word “yes” or “no” on the ballot to the following question: “Do you support the Corporation of the District of Summerland borrowing up to $50 million with interest, over a period not exceeding 30 years in order to finance the construction of a new recreation centre to be located at 8820 Jubilee Road E., by way of Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 2023-016?”

When and where can I cast a ballot?

There are multiple opportunities to cast your vote for the Summerland Recreation Centre Referendum.

General Voting Day is Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room (8820 Jubilee Rd E).
Advance Voting days are Wednesday, October 25, 2023 and Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at the Summerland Arena Banquet Room from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day.

How do I know if I’m eligible to vote in the referendum?

RESIDENTS
You can vote in a referendum in Summerland if you meet all the following criteria. A resident elector must:

be 18 years of age or older on general voting day, November 4, 2023;
be a Canadian citizen;
have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
be a resident of the District of Summerland (at the time of voting); and,
not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in a local election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

NON-RESIDENTS
You must provide proof of ownership of the property for which you are voting and meet all of the following requirements. To register as a non-resident property elector, you must:

be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day, November 4, 2023;
be a Canadian citizen;
be a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);

be a registered owner of real property in the District of Summerland for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at the time of voting);
not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in a local election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors:

The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.
If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

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