Forbes Hall Expansion Bulletin ~ December 3, 2019
Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 10:38PM Following the November 16thmeeting, the TICA Board and the Forbes Hall Expansion Committee have received many emails, and requests for a large amount of detailed information. Please note that anonymous notes & information bits sent to individual members are not constructive.
On Friday, November 29th, two tours were taken through the building site. The groups asked many questions. Another tour is being planned for Saturday, December 7th. It is an excellent way to become acquainted with the project, and the site is kept orderly and efficient.
The objective is to create a space that meets the needs that the membership identified and discussed over the past two years.
On Sunday, December 8th, TICA’s membership will be asked to give the TICA board approval to borrow the necessary funds to complete the project, capped at $500,000.
Here are some more answers to questions asked:
Q: Why can’t Thetis Island Community Association Members vote by email or proxy?
A: TICA by-laws require members to be present at a meeting to vote. There is no provision for email or proxy voting. A by-law change would have to be made in order to permit such voting.
Q: How many Members are necessary for a quorum?
A: TICA by-laws set the quorum at 5% of the Membership. There are currently 385 voting Members, a quorum is 20.
Q: What will happen if TICA Members do not approve borrowing?
A: The project will continue as far as possible with available funds. The site will be secured and construction will cease.
Q: What would be the impacts of stopping the project?
A: Construction costs will increase over time, the Building Permit may lapse, and the Building Code may become more stringent. A new tendering process would take place before the project could re-start. There would be a loss of volunteer momentum in both fundraising, and overseeing the project. AND, FORBES HALL WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
Q: TICA received a Capital Gaming Grant for the project. If the project is delayed will that Grant money have to be returned to the Gaming Branch?
A: The Project completion date set out in the application is October 2020. At present, TICA is meeting its responsibilities to the gaming branch.
Q: How will any loan be repaid?
A: There are seven different ways that TICA will use to acquire the funds needed to pay back borrowed funds & interest.
Fundraising (Events, ASK Letters, Merchandise)
Grants
Pledges
Monthly Donations / Auto Deposits
Donations of Securities
Bequests & Endowments
Patronage
Further information will follow in January.
Please view the full document titled Future Funding & Debt Repayment
Q: I want to help with the project, when will I be able to pitch in?
A: There will be a tremendous need for volunteers, and notices will be posted when the time comes. Members have spoken of the need to volunteer in the project, and just as volunteers were needed at the beginning, they will be needed once the building site is again open to volunteers. This has been an integral part of the plan since before going to tender.
Q: Who owns Forbes Hall?
A: The land and improvements belong to the Thetis Island Community Association. The land was gifted to the organization by the Forbes sisters, Jo, Ursula & Helen. The building was built with a grant from Expo ’86, and fundraising. The library addition was built with a New Horizon’s grant.
Q: Could Forbes Hall be put onto our taxes, like most community centers?
A: CVRD Area G Rep Lynne Smith was asked about putting Forbes Hall on the tax roll. There are advantages and disadvantages. Our community may want explore this option in the future.
