Honourable Naomi YamamotoSeptember 11, 2014

Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business

PO Box 9071 StnProvGovt

Victoria, BC V8W 9E2

Dear Minister Yamamoto,

In February 2013, residents of Vanderhoof and the surrounding Electoral Area “F” voted overwhelmingly in support of authorizing our local government to borrow $4 million – to be repaid through our property taxes – to partially finance the construction of an Aquatic Centre in Vanderhoof. That referendum, and the enormous community support in advance of it, was the first step towards our community’s goal of building an aquatic centre. Now, we are looking for support from the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Trainingand monetary support from the Province of B.C. in order to make this goal a reality.

Community members have committed to fundraising $500,000 to contribute to the construction of the Aquatic Centre – no small feat for a town of 4,500 and a surrounding area of 2,500 – but we still require an additional $7.5 million before construction can happen. We are looking to industry and government partners for this portion of the cost and we know that we will not be able to accomplish our goal and break ground without the monetary support of the Province of B.C. I am writing to ask for your support and the support of your Ministry for this project.

I believe that an Aquatic Centre will make Vanderhoof a strongerand healthier community that is more attractive for tourists and supportive of small businesses and local retailers. I am requesting your support because I believe that an Aquatic Centre is a strong fit with your goals and mandatein three key ways:

  1. With no aquatic facility currently in Vanderhoof, dozens of families commute to Prince George regularly for swimming lessons or recreational swimming. These trips typically include errands, shopping, and restaurant visits, all of which are keeping valuable retail dollars out of Vanderhoof to the detriment of our local small business owners. A local Aquatic Centre would keep these retail dollars in the local economy.
  2. There are many tourism activities linked to outdoor recreation in Vanderhoof and so an Aquatic Centre is a natural fit to attract additional tourists and encourage existing tourists to choose to stay in Vanderhoof.
  3. An Aquatic Centre will attract and support the retention of new workers, especially those working on new liquefied natural gas and mining projects in the region. Community infrastructure like an Aquatic Centre will encourage this labour force and their families to live and invest in Vanderhoof, ultimately resulting in meaningful new opportunities for local entrepreneurs and businesses.

In the coming months, Mayor and Council will be approaching you to ask you to consider supporting this valuable project. The community support for this initiative is incredibly strong and our local fundraising efforts have already proven successful with a series of events planned. I hope that we can count your Ministry amongst the partners who will support this important project.

Sincerely,