C:\docs\f\m\Hall\Jeanette 150615.txt From: Dave Jeanette Sent: Monday, June 15, 2015 1:35 PM To: Emergency Preparedness, Dashwood Subject: for Steering Committee, June 15th Hi Bill, I realize I double booked for tonight. I have a responsibility to be at another event in Parksville, helping to lead it – totally out of my head when we set a meeting date. I have put some thoughts into a questionnaire and letter, and will share it here – as one submission – likely others have done the same. I think we on the committee will need to talk personally, maybe each try to get 4 people, who will distribute and pick up the questionnaires with willingness to have a 10 minute conversation with each neighbour. Perhaps we can each approach 10 or 15 people. We may not cover everyone, but need a good feedback sampling. Can someone search out a way of getting a mail drop – how much would it cost to get a flyer drop into our mailboxes? Would the Dashwood Rec Commission cover some of this cost? Perhaps our own Neighbourhood Fund (from the BBQ’s) would contribute $75 toward that? Just a thought. We have about $200 in the fund. Would like to use some for an awning (easier one to put up, than the one I borrow from our church). I talked to Brian Giles as you did too – he said he wouldn’t need a charitable receipt for his labour and consultation – Dave and I think that a contractor (if a neighbour or other..) would want a receipt. Hope all goes well tonight, Jeanette Suggestion for a Letter: Background: When this neighbourhood was developed, three landowners who subdivided their farms into our lots, each donated a parcel for neighbourhood green space back in the 1940’s. At that time, an organization now called the “Dashwood Recreation Commission” was formed in order to oversee the park and build community life through various activities and events. In order to equip the park, build the hall and maintain the park, they fundraised through the sale of trees when the park was first logged, and through ongoing community dinners, sales and other events. This organization is the umbrella group now, to which other neighbourhood groups have connected, in order to start the current initiative, be it: “Hall Improvement” or “Save the Hall” or “Build a new hall/ community centre”. Over the years, the hall was sold to a group called “Womens Institute”. The park continued to be overseen by the Dashwood Recreation Commission. Some years ago, the Womens Institute sold it to the RDN for $1.00. The RDN has named it the “Little Qualicum Regional Park”. They have provided park maintenance, and the Dashwood Recreation Commission has assisted with supplying play ground equipment, a bark-chip trail around the perimeter, and maintenance/oversight of the hall. This past year, an engineering report from the RDN estimated the cost of all repairs at $150,000. The RDN is looking to our community to cost-share the repairs, if we want the hall. Otherwise the hall will be demolished. The RDN doesn’t have halls in its other regional parks. A Steering Committee has been formed, to work toward the goal of “Hall Improvement/ or Replacement” over the next several years. We are working with the RDN and its “Parks and Open Spaces Advisory Council”(POSAC) to determine the best plan, whether to repair and improve, tear and re-build. The hall needs some improvement very soon. The most important current needs are to install a septic system and strengthen the floor. Further, we need to plan for wheelchair access, improve and update other parts of the building including roof and bathrooms. To further determine the best plan, we need as many as possible in the neighbourhood to respond to the attached questionnaire regarding use of the hall and willingness to contribute as volunteer or financially (along with RDN funds). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUESTIONNAIRE Are you interested in having a hall in the Centre Road park which is a Regional District of Nanaimo park facility? How are you currently using the hall? If improved, how might you use/ rent the hall? Do you think that the hall is important to keep? --as a gathering place for community events? --for an Emergency preparedness central location? --for bathroom facilities for the park and playground? --for rental for private and public events? for local community or general public? If improving the hall, we need local volunteers, for trades/skills, general labour, fundraising through grant applications, having community event fundraisers (dinners, concerts, sales, other??) Will you lend some volunteer hours and energy (along with a team of people), to: --construction – offering your trade or business or skill? --construction – general labour (also a skill!) --seeking grants and other funding, making some applications (a team effort) --community event fundraisers – planning, promoting of --community event fundraisers – helping conduct the meal, sale, concert, etc. Will you make a personal or business financial donation to the hall improvement? We are looking at 3 options: (1)renovating the current hall, (2)building a new basic hall (somewhat larger capacity) on a slab, or (3)bringing in a pre-built unit (eg. a previous school structure) and installing it on a slab. We still need to determine with the RDN, which of these 3 options is acceptable and most cost-effective, and maintain longevity. Which option do you recommend, and why? Option: 1,2,3______________ Why? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ====================================================================================================================== This fall, will you help with a fundraising event? What are you interested in (eg. meal, concert, sale, other? Your ideas, please: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Will you convene an event? Describe: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Will you make a financial donation toward a Hall Improvement Fund (charitable receipt provided)?