The president of the Kerrisdale Community Centre Association says a recent update on negotiations between the park board and 12 other associations over a joint-operating agreement makes it appear those talks have hit a wall.
In an open letter to his association, Robert Lockhart wrote, “Over the past several months, there has been little communication from those [12] community centre associations. That is, until now... The talks are stalled!”
Kerrisdale is one of six associations fighting the park board’s new management agreement, which centralizes core programs and introduced the universal OneCard.
The 12 community centre associations have said little until a March update, which reads in part: “We are not in a position to forecast the outcome of this process, but our boards remain committed to achieving an outcome that upholds each community’s autonomy, authority and control over resources to ensure each unique community needs can continue to be met.”
Lockhart said the open letter is encouraging because it appears the 12 associations “have developed some courage in strongly resisting the park board’s takeover efforts.”
But Kate Perkins, spokesperson for the 12 associations and former park board employee, said the Group of Six read far more into the update than was intended.
Perkins admitted it’s been a long haul and confirmed there have been many meetings, but added everyone involved is still committed to building a joint-operating agreement that all sides will benefit from.
Perkins added the request for help from the public included within the update is standard and has been included in correspondence since the talks started more than a year ago.
Meanwhile, the final action in the legal proceedings between the Group of Six and park board is expected to be heard in B.C. Supreme Court some time this spring or summer.
Story courtesy Vancouver Courier.
