Dear Editor:
Re: “City of Richmond launches 2017 budget consultation,” News, Oct. 7.
Last Friday’s News included an invitation from Richmond council to hear citizen concerns and priorities for 2017 budget planning.
The same News edition included a paid advertisement promoting “Best Membership Deal of the Year! 3 Months Free Until Nov 15th” for the Oval.”
What is the cost to taxpayers to pay for the “FREE” three-month memberships and advertisement? When will the oval be subject to property tax on its $232,000,000 (BC Assessment) property on the same basis as other privately operated fitness facilities? When will the oval be profitable (real cash) in addition to paying property tax to Richmond? What is the combined total property tax forgiven on the oval property? How does the oval qualify as profitable, when privy to government grants and free of property tax obligations?
I suspect real Richmond taxpayers would appreciate hearing details of oval finances from Richmond City Council. That is my priority.
Ken McLennan
Richmond
