Property taxes/land sales will help finance Queens Place rec centre

“As part of our move forward with Queens Place, it’s essential the public understand how we intend to finance, not only the capital cost of the facility but the ongoing operations,” said Region of Queens Mayor John Leefe.

A resolution stating the proceeds from land sales and taxes on residential and commercial properties within the Queens Development area go towards capital and operating purposes has council’s approval.

The regular meeting took place Aug. 18.

Mayor Leefe said the consultant working on the Queens Place project advised them there could be a deficit as high as $150,000 in the first year of operation.

“It’s the view of council that if it were not for the construction of Queens Place we would not be having the development that is going to occur on that site; for example, Best Western Hotels,” said Mayor Leefe. “So it’s appropriate as we sell land to private developers and as we gather in the property taxes, commercial and perhaps residential... that those be dedicated to Queens Place to further defray the capital costs.”