Westhills YMCA financial support

• Joel (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes buying the centre, citing high taxes and competing needs, and recommends 25-year amortization if the purchase proceeds.
• Vic Daniels (Gade Road)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes the purchase, citing tax burdens and operating costs, and calls for a strategic review and taxpayer referendum.
• Brian White (Langford)Supports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports acquiring the building as a significant municipal asset that could benefit Langford over the long term.
• David A. Lott (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes the purchase as costly and risky, urging council to prioritize infrastructure, services, and established community recreation groups.
• M. Wignall (Langford)Mixed · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports keeping the centre operating but opposes a rushed purchase, calling for a referendum and 25-year amortization.
• Wendy Hobbs (Luxton Highway)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes the purchase because of its tax burden, questions council’s legal rationale, and urges consideration of other municipal costs.
• Harold Blumenthal (Callwood)Concerned · Recreation funding
  Warns that the purchase could limit funding and space for youth sports, and asks council to find a way to fund facilities concurrently.
• Raymond Glenn (South Langford)Asks · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Asks council to extend the decision period, hold a referendum, and let residents decide whether to purchase the pool.
• Ian Taylor (Turnstyle Crescent)Concerned · Recreation funding
  Warns that purchasing the centre could divert funds from team-sport facilities and asks council to put the decision to a referendum.
• Mike Morton (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Questions the purchase process and due diligence, citing competing recreation needs and potential long-term costs for residents.
• Pal GrangerMixed · Recreation funding
  Supports recreation but urges consultation, a referendum, and longer amortization to preserve funding for other community facilities.
• Glenn Willing (Langford)Concerned · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Warns that the purchase would impose a major tax burden amid economic uncertainty and says continuing the existing agreement is manageable.
• Brian Cualco (Langford)Mixed · Recreation funding
  Supports more recreation facilities but warns against sacrificing youth sports funding for the purchase, especially given growing demand for ice time.
• Bernadette Armstrong (Rodney Road)Mixed · Aquatic Centre and regional recreation
  Supports keeping the building and pool available, while urging broader cost-sharing and a regional recreation-facilities strategy.
• Scott Barry (Langford)Concerned · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Questions excluding discussion of YMCA operations and argues that longer amortization could free funds for other recreation projects.
• Diana Seaton (Glenlake Road)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Argues the current lease should remain, questions the purchase’s financial rationale, and calls for a full operational review and timely disclosure.
• S. Ross Sander (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre financing
  Opposes five-year financing and urges a referendum on financing the purchase over five years or a longer period.
• Lisa Foxall (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre financing
  Opposes five-year financing, citing missing operating and maintenance information, and urges a referendum or longer amortization.
• W. Bowers (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes a rushed purchase, questions the assumed total cost, and asks council to obtain more information and listen to residents.
• L. Plomp (Langford)Supports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports addressing municipal asset-management costs now rather than passing additional debt to future generations.
• A residentAsks · Aquatic Centre financing
  Calls for the project to be spread out and put to a referendum, warning that the recommended option would burden residents.
• S. Seifert (Langford)Opposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes the rushed purchase and five-year borrowing, arguing that funds could support other facilities and asking council to reconsider.

Public speakers addressed concerns and support regarding the potential purchase/operation of the Westhills YW/YMCA facility.

• Wendy Hobbs (Luxton Highway)Concerned · Langford Aquatic Center
  Calls for an operational review and resident input, warning that the purchase could strain families and leave other recreation needs unmet.
• A residentAsks · Langford Aquatic Center
  Urges council to delay the purchase, hold a referendum, and examine the YMCA’s ability to operate the facility.
• Kyle GrangerConcerned · Langford Aquatic Center
  Calls for operating-cost analysis and community consultation, warning that rapid spending could prevent needed sports facilities and services.
• Galen BrewerConcerned · Langford Aquatic Center
  Supports the aquatic center but urges a slower, affordable purchase that accounts for recreation needs and existing facility shortages.
• Sam AuerbachMixed · Langford Aquatic Center
  Supports keeping the pool but questions the YMCA’s management and asks whether other municipalities could share costs.
• Wendy BowersConcerned · Langford Aquatic Center
  Questions the purchase’s urgency and calls for transparency, resident involvement, and an operational review before spending public funds.
• Sandy SeifertAsks · Langford Aquatic Center
  Urges council to set aside assumptions and direct staff to prepare a proper business case and operational review.
• A residentOpposes · Langford Aquatic Center
  Questions the purchase process and five-year repayment, and asks council to hold the YMCA accountable for its reporting obligations.
• Mark ManaryMixed · Langford Aquatic Center
  Supports the facility but opposes the purchase on current terms without a referendum and a clear path to financial sustainability.
• Victoria Conservatory of MusicSupports · Langford Aquatic Center
  Supports the purchase and notes that charitable operators publicly report financial information and benefit from a nonprofit landlord.
• Glenn WillingOpposes · Langford Aquatic Center
  Calls for a referendum and warns that financial uncertainty and other public-private partnerships could burden taxpayers.
• Lisa FoxtallOpposes · Langford Aquatic Center
  Opposes purchasing the facility now without a substantial business case, operating review, or cost analysis.
• Diana Seaton (Glen Lake Road)Asks · Langford Aquatic Center
  Requests an operational review and business plan, and urges council to enforce the original agreement with the YMCA.
• A residentSupports · Langford Aquatic Center
  Supports purchasing the facility to provide financial certainty and preserve regional YMCA programs, while favoring prompt debt repayment.
• Normal JoelOpposes · Tree bylaw
  Warns that city arborist reviews could create substantial liability and costs for taxpayers under the proposed tree bylaw.
• Wendy Hobbs (Luxton Highway)Asks · Council minutes and MIST program
  Asks where council minutes and public updates can be found about the MIST program and its youth-related concerns.

• Derek GentSupports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports continued YMCA operation and collaboration with Langford, citing the facility’s community services and lower-cost operating model.
• Nathan MeadSupports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports the purchase, emphasizing the conservatory’s music education, therapy, scholarships, and cultural benefits for the community.
• Bev SolstromOpposes · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Opposes buying the building or subsidizing the YMCA and asks council to explain the increased lease payments.
• W. BowersConcerned · Transparency and costs
  Raises concerns about undisclosed lease decisions, consultant meetings, taxpayer costs, and the lack of public input.
• Lisa FauxallConcerned · Financing and referendum
  Calls for longer amortization and a referendum, citing taxpayer burdens and concerns about the contract and YMCA management.
• L. PlompSupports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports buying the facility, citing the city’s existing liabilities, the building’s asset value, and the benefits of accelerated repayment.
• S. PlanckSupports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports purchasing the building as a public asset and opposes a referendum, citing expert analysis and community benefits.
• A Langford residentConcerned · Purchase financing
  Questions the tax-increase calculations and says the proposed five-year repayment would require a much larger increase.
• Glenn WillingsMixed · Referendum and recreation fees
  Supports a referendum and affordable recreation, and suggests lowering drop-in fees to attract more users.
• Arnold RossanderConcerned · Business case and transparency
  Calls for a business case comparing the status quo and purchase, and criticizes the lack of information about lease changes.
• A Langford residentSupports · Aquatic Centre purchase
  Supports purchasing the building, citing the options and savings it could provide compared with the status quo.
• Mark Panison (West Hills)Supports · Aquatic Centre acquisition
  Supports acquiring the land and building, citing future land-value growth and long-term community benefits.

• Lisa Fochthal (Foxhall)Mixed · YMCA agreement, expenses, and community gardens
  Challenges the city’s interpretation of the YMCA service agreement, opposes higher travel per diems, questions garden contracting, and raises a potential Colliers conflict.
• Steve RossanderAsks · West Hills facility purchase
  Requests a town hall and greater access to YMCA operating reports before decisions on the West Hills facility.
• Wendy Hobbs (Luxon Highway)Mixed · Expense policy, community gardens, and YMCA
  Opposes adding dependent-care reimbursements and raising travel expenses, and urges safety planning for community gardens and regional cost-sharing for the YMCA.
• M. Wignall (Langford)Concerned · YMCA, community gardens, and travel expenses
  Welcomes new YMCA information but questions the operator’s incentives, urges a community-garden plan that avoids nuisances, and recommends sending fewer council delegates to conferences.
• B. Armstrong (Rodney Road)Concerned · YMCA facility and travel expenses
  Questions YMCA acquisition projections, library lease costs, facility comparisons and regional cost-sharing, and supports reducing council travel attendance.
• Normal Joel (Langford)Concerned · YMCA purchase and travel expenses
  Questions property-tax treatment, Colliers’ potential conflict, how the purchase would affect the YMCA subsidy, and proposed travel-expense increases.
• Fraser Johnson (Langford)Mixed · YMCA purchase and expense policy
  Questions elector approval, purchase value and omitted lifecycle costs for the YMCA facility, while supporting proposed expense increases and dependent-care reimbursement.

• Wendy Hobbs (Luxton Highway)Concerned · 2023 annual report and public engagement
  Urges council to improve public engagement, reconsider meeting times, enforce truck routes, and give more thought to sidewalk infill.
• Liza Foxall (Langford)Mixed · 2023 annual report
  Criticizes the annual report and council decisions on spending, housing, policing, and the YMCA, while thanking council for the new all-weather field.

• Sandy SeifertOpposes · Tree bylaw and financial plan
  Opposes extending the temporary tree bylaw and challenges the proposed tax increase as unsupported and harmful to residents.
• Lisa Foxhall (Langford)Opposes · Financial plan and tax increase
  Opposes the proposed tax increase, citing financial strain on seniors, renters, families, and local businesses.
• Wendy HawesAsks · Council minutes, financial plan, and sidewalks
  Requests corrections to the meeting minutes and questions the tax increase, sidewalk priorities, and limited public input on city plans.
• S. Roth Sander (Langford)Opposes · Financial plan and YMCA funding
  Questions additional YMCA funding, arguing the funding would add to residents' tax burden despite rising YMCA revenues and memberships.
• L Plomp (Winfield Terrace)Mixed · Urban forest, housing policy, and financial plan
  Supports continued urban-forest planning and the tax increase, and asks that attainable-homeownership assistance include West Shore first responders.

• TL Rankin SebastianMixed · City budget and services
  Asks about alternative fire funding, community partnerships, bylaw support for unhoused residents, staffing impacts, and supports equity and inclusion consulting.
• Mike Morton (Phelps Avenue)Opposes · Budget spending and tax increase
  Questions travel, YMCA subsidy, consultant, event, and library spending, arguing these costs reflect an unnecessary tax burden.
• S. Rossander (Langford)Asks · Financial transparency and YMCA funding
  Requests 2023 financial actuals, details on a $41-million property budget, and YMCA operating reports to assess continued subsidy.
• Sandy Seifert (Langford)Opposes · Budget spending and tax increase
  Calls for lower taxes by cutting consultant costs and reconsidering the YMCA purchase, stadium referendum, e-bike rebates, and other spending.
• Lisa Foxall (Langford)Opposes · Budget spending and tax increase
  Opposes rapid spending and tax increases, urging travel and project cuts, scrutiny of grants, and opposition to legal action against the province.
• Ren Louie (Langford)Concerned · Tax increase and rebates
  Warns tax increases burden renters, proposes broad-based rebates instead of e-bike-only aid, and asks council to reconsider gardens and murals.
• Mary Brooke (Langford)Concerned · Tax increase and renters
  Warns property-tax increases and rent hikes are displacing renters, urging council to account for renters with limited financial flexibility.
• GregAsks · Tax increase and rent
  Asks when residents will receive relief from tax increases after reporting a rent increase.
• Arnold (Langford)Asks · Tax increase
  Asks council to seek outside help, including contacting Stu Young, to find ways to reduce the tax increase.
• Bev Solstrom (Walfred Road)Asks · Potential YMCA purchase
  Questions whether residents should have a vote or input on the proposed $39–41-million YMCA purchase.
• Desmond James (Dornier Road)Supports · E-bike rebates and budget projects
  Supports extending e-bike rebates as affordable, healthy transportation, while questioning free-library spending and noting the YMCA purchase remains undecided.
• Nicholas Joel (Walfred Road)Asks · Consultant spending
  Asks whether planned consultants will be local, noting local hiring could reduce travel and other costs.

• A residentOpposes · Tax increase
  Opposes the tax increase, arguing council ignored residents and that the community is nearing a breaking point.
• Josh Route (Naughty Pine)Supports · Budget and hot dog day
  Supports the increase as an investment in Langford and asks council to add an annual hot dog day.
• Mike Morton (Phelps Avenue)Concerned · Budget process
  Criticizes the budget process as restrictive and unresponsive, and says council alone is accountable for the tax increase.
• Lisa Foxall (Claire's Drive)Opposes · Budget and tax increase
  Opposes the budget and tax increase, proposing higher developer amenity fees to reduce taxes and criticizing YMCA spending.
• Norman Joel (Welfare Place)Opposes · Tax increase and YMCA
  Opposes the tax increase, questions the YMCA purchase and operating costs, and says the city should not run the facility.
• Nicholas Joel (Walfred Place)Concerned · Budget and tax increase
  Warns the tax increase could burden residents and urges council to protect affordability, ensure developers contribute, and improve transparency.
• A resident (Rita Road)Opposes · Budget and YMCA
  Opposes the budget and YMCA purchase, criticizing the disbanded finance committee and warning the tax increase could force a home sale.
• M Vickers (Goldstream Avenue)Asks · YMCA pools
  Asks whether the YMCA pools could be used for a dual purpose.
• C Weatherston (Crusida Crescent)Supports · Budget and tax increase
  Supports the budget, saying Langford’s population and service needs make a 12.4% increase understandable compared with nearby municipalities.
• Bev Solstrom (Walfred Road)Asks · Business taxes
  Asks how higher taxes on businesses could affect local employers, services, and prices paid by residents.

• S. Rossander (Ravensview Drive)Concerned · Budget and West Hills Rec Centre
  Challenges the consultation process and argues provincial borrowing limits make the proposed $30 million, five-year West Hills Rec Centre purchase financing impermissible.
• A resident (Commander Court)Opposes · Tax increase
  Opposes the 12.41% tax increase, citing its impact on residents with limited incomes and asking why reserve funds cannot offset it.
• Sandy SeifertOpposes · Budget and public consultation
  Opposes the budget and tax increase, saying residents’ input has been ignored and the public consultation process feels meaningless.
• Desmond James (Dornier Road)Supports · Tax increase
  Supports the tax increase as necessary to maintain infrastructure and services, while suggesting a communications role to improve responses to residents.
• Joel WalfordConcerned · Budget and borrowing
  Questions why the city is borrowing when it holds about $52 million in cash and criticizes the budget process as lacking transparency.
• Lisa Foxall (Players Drive)Opposes · Budget and tax increase
  Opposes the tax increase, arguing council dismissed public proposals such as raising development fees and should consider other ways to reduce taxes.
• Patsy Hamilton (Branderson Road)Mixed · Budget and tax increase
  Thanks staff for clear budget presentations but opposes the tax increase’s impact on a senior living on a fixed income with a mortgage.
• Christine Levold (Glenley Grote)Opposes · Financial plan and YMCA purchase
  Opposes the financial plan and asks council to remove the YMCA purchase from this year’s budget pending proper consultation and analysis.

• Chris Fauxhall (Players Drive)Concerned · YMCA financial challenges
  Questions the proposed 3% tax increase for YMCA funding and urges council to seek other assistance and stop divisive scare tactics.
• John Stanus (Greystone Place)Opposes · Klahani Drive rezoning
  Urges council to take no action on the rezoning, citing flaws in the traffic assessment and concerns about the rural corridor and housing affordability.