This is the second of Forbes Hall Expansion & Upgrade Bulletins that will be frequently provided to the community to answer some of the many questions, concerns, and comments that came from, and following, the meeting of November 16.
You are welcome to send a brief question for future response.
Q: I don’t feel I have had enough information about the project. Why hasn’t there been more news about the construction, and more opportunities to ask questions regarding the progress of the project?
A: TICA is working on a communications plan to keep you better informed. To start, frequent bulletins will be added to the other ways that are used to inform the community. If this is an area in which you have relevant skills and experience, and you are willing to work on the plan, please contact dickie.ann@gmail.com. There will also be answers provided to many of your questions on the forbeshall.ca website.
The first information and discussion session was held in October of 2017, when the community was asked for ideas as to what the new hall should provide. Further discussion and information sharing meetings were held in November 2017, January 2018, November 2018 and June 2019. Two ‘On the Court’ sessions were held in July 2019 and two more in August 2019 with tours of the building offered to those attendees who requested them. Most recently more than 80 community members attended the November 16th information session.
In all, 10 community information sessions were held between October 2017 and November 2019.
There were also several information days at Soup’s On, and an Information & Merchandise Booth every Saturday at the Summer Market providing the opportunity for community members, as well as interested visitors, to ask questions about the progress of the building and view photos of the construction.
The committee also produced four newsletters, published articles in the Quarterly, and provided updates and photos through e-spokes, thetisposts.ca, and Thetis Island Community Posts FB Page.
Q. I don’t know how the project is being funded. How much money did we raise, and where did it come from?
A: In total, TICA raised $1,353,534 through fundraising and grants.
SOURCES OF FUNDING
$12,000 Soup’s On
8,000 Library Bequest
100,000 BC Ferries
25,000 TICF
10,000 Rural Dividend Grant
250,000 Capital Gaming Grant
5,000 CVRD Grant In Aid
25,129 Interest (projected to Dec. 31/19)
32,080 TICA Fundraisers (includes merchandise sales)
869,625 Thetis Islanders’ Donations (from 145 individuals or families)
16,700 2020 Pledges
$1,353,534 Total of Funds Raised or Contributed.
Reviewing these funding numbers, it is clear, once again, that this project has had astounding support. It is heartening to see that donations by fellow Islanders, and the gift of time by volunteers, are the main drivers of the project.
Q. Am I paying for Forbes Hall through my property taxes?
A: No, Forbes Hall is completely paid for by membership fees, donations, fundraising, and grants. Thetis Island’s community centre is the only one in the Gulf Islands that operates this way.
TOUR THE SITE
A walk-through tour will be provided this Friday, November 29th at Noon, sharp.
By reservation only: to participate please contact Ann @ dickie.ann@gmail.com by Thursday, November 28th at 9PM. We will meet in the Tennis Court. If there are too many people for one tour, we will split the group into two tours, Noon and 12:30PM, participants will be notified of any changes. Please wear sturdy footwear.
NO ADMITTANCE, means No ADMITTANCE
Please note: there have been members of the public walking in to the worksite to see what is happening with construction on the project. The worksite is inadmissible to the public. Viewing can only take place from the schoolyard side of the fencing, or from the tennis court. Please respect the posted signs.
Sincerely,
Ann Dickie
Co-Chair FH EX COMM
Forbeshall.ca Bulletin Cache
Gallery of Photos Photos of the Build, including Drone Photos
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 10:33AM 
