The Alberni Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations (TFN) that will see the completion of a detailed business plan, preliminary design and construction cost estimate for a recreation facility on the West Coast.
The plan and design will be used by the West Coast Multiplex Society to fundraise capital costs for the facility’s construction. While the availability of operational funding is in place, through the West Coast Multiplex Service Area bylaw adopted by the ACRD Board of Directors in 2012, the business plan will determine the project’s viability. The location of the facility, near the Long Beach Airport, has been confirmed.
As part of the MOU, the ACRD and Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations will pursue a collaborative relationship to discuss economic, cultural and other benefits that the Multiplex might provide the region’s residents, and how Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations could work with the ACRD to develop and deliver programs at the facility.
“This is the first MOU of this nature that the ACRD has signed with a First Nation, and it’s a very important step forward in building a mutually beneficial relationship with Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First
Nations,” said ACRD Chairperson and Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne.
“Tla‐o‐qui‐aht has a strong vision of participating in economic opportunities within their traditional territories,” said TFN Deputy Chief Councillor Elmer Frank. “TFN is strongly committed to improving access to recreational facilities for both their members and the ACRD area.”
Funding in the amount of $100,000 has been secured to support this MOU from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, via the Tla‐o‐qui‐aht First Nations. This complements the $106,916 that the ACRD has contributed to the project’s development since 2008. The ACRD will administer the
MOU funding and, with assistance from TFN and the West Coast Multiplex Society, oversee the development of the business plan and preliminary design.
“The business plan and design are critical pieces of information,” said Ucluelet Mayor Dianne St.
Jacques. “They provide the detailed information needed to fundraise for the building, and to understand the operational costs and overall viability of the facility.”
“We are very excited about the MOU,” said West Coast Multiplex Society Chair Samantha Hackett,
“It is a big breakthrough for the Society and helps us immensely in our planning and fundraising.”
