TOWN OF COMOX 1809 Beaufort Avenue Ph: (250) 339-2202 Comox BC V9M 1R9 Fx: (250) 339-7110

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA FOR WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2016 We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional lands of the K'ómoks First Nation ... Gila'kasla … Hay ch q’ a’

Meeting Location: Council Chambers, 1801B Beaufort Avenue, Comox Call to Order: 5:30 p.m. Adoption of the Agenda

1. DELEGATIONS: (5) a. Ben Vanderhorst and Murray Presley (Comox Valley Farmers Institute) Initial plans for agriplex convention centre

2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS: (43) a. Regular Council Meeting Minutes That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council, held in Council Chambers on Wednesday November 2, 2016, be Approved. (47) b. Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes That the Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting, held in Council Chambers on Wednesday November 9, 2016, be Received.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) Comox Fire Protection Improvement District - Renewal of Agreement That the agreement with the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District for fire protection and other public safety services, as included in the November 9, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting agenda, be renewed for a five-year term from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. (2) Transfer in Ownership of Dragon Boat 1. That ownership of the Town's 616 dragon boat be transferred to the Comox Valley Dragon Boat Society, and that space for moorage be provided at no cost for a period of 1 year ending November 9, 2017.

2. That the provision of longer term moorage at no cost for the Comox Valley Dragon Boat Society be considered as part of an overall Marina strategy regarding community interests.

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TOWN OF COMOX REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 16, 2016

3. COMMITTEE REPORTS: NIL

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: (49) a. Management Report - November 16, 2016

5. SPECIAL REPORTS: (51) a. Comox Valley Regional District Meeting Minutes That the following Comox Valley Regional District meeting minutes be received for information: - Comox Valley Regional District Board (Comox Strathcona Waste Management) Board held on Tuesday October 25, 2016; - Comox Regional Hospital District Board held on Tuesday October 25, 2016. 6. BYLAWS: (61) a. 2017 Water Rate Bylaw That the Comox Water Rates and Regulations Bylaw Amendment No. 23, 2016 be given First, Second and Third Readings. 7. NEW BUSINESS: NIL

8. CORRESPONDENCE: (67) a. Liz Cookson (AVICC) Resolutions Notice

(77) b. Macdonald (Heritage BC) Proposed demolition of shakesides

9. LATE ITEMS: NIL

10. DELEGATIONS: NIL

11. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL:

12. MEDIA QUESTION PERIOD:

13. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD:

14. EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC:

ADJOURNMENT

Deputy Corporate Administrator

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REQUEST TO APPEAR AS A DELEGATION 


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TOWN OF COMOX REQUESTS TO APPEAR BEFORE COUNCIL OR THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MUST BE SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN THURSDAY NOON, THE WEEK PRIOR TO THE MEETING Ben Vanderhorst and Murray Presley Name(s) of person(s) speaking:

Comox Valley Farmers Institute Organization you are representing: representing agriculture 100 Primary purpose of Organization: Number of members: box 3493 station main Mailing address: courtenay City: Postal Code: Brian Geiger ggeiger@telus .net Contact name: Email: 250 897 8280 Phone: Fax: to present initial plans for agriplex convension centre Subject matter: we would request longer as our power point is about 15-20 mins

support and funding Specific request of Council, if any (i.e., letter of support, funding):

Nov 16 Requested meeting and date: yes power point slides Audio-visual equipment required: Nov 3/16 Date of application: Signature of applicant: or Print Name: Brian Geiger Please Note:

1. Regular Council Meetings start at 5:30 p.m., while Committee of the Whole Meetings start at 4:15 p.m. Delegations are dealt with at the beginning of each meeting. 2. Maximum presentation time is 10 minutes including questions, unless previously approved by the Chair. 3. Presenters are to address Council or the Committee of the Whole, and not the audience 4. All presentation materials/handouts must be submitted no later than Thursday noon, the week prior to the meeting. If the Friday prior to the meeting is a statutory holiday, then presentation materials must be submitted by Wednesday noon. 5. Please ensure that your cell phone is turned OFF during the meeting.

/2*16-692 5()(5 $*(1'$ o - RCM Agenda 5&0  copies - Council ),/( $&7,21 1RY   05 - RK / DJ  RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 5 BUSINESS CASE FOR THE COMOX VALLEY FARMERS INSTITUTE AGRIPLEX CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

October 2016

RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 6 CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 2

1.1 PROJECT OPPORTUNITY...... 2 1.2 PROJECT BENEFITS ...... 2 1.3 PROJECT DETAILS ...... 2

2. INTRODUCTION ...... 4

2.1 PROJECT PURPOSE ...... 4 2.2 PROJECT LIMITATIONS ...... 4 3. PROJECT OPPORTUNITY ...... 5

3.1 TRENDS SUPPORTING THE NEED FOR AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN THE COMOX VALLEY...... 5 3.2 POTENTIAL COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE AGRIPLEX...... 8 3.2.1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ...... 8 3.2.2 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT...... 9 3.2.3 COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT ...... 10

4. THE PROPOSED AGRIPLEX ...... 11

4.1 DESIGN...... 11 4.2 LOCATION ...... 13 4.3 FACILITIES...... 14 4.4 SCOPE OF SERVICES...... 15 4.5 OWNERSHIP MODEL ...... 16 4.6 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND COMMITTEE STRUCTURE SECTION ...... 17

5. MARKET OVERVIEW ...... 18

5.1 USERS AND CLIENTS ...... 21 5.2 COMPARABLE FACILITIES ...... 22 5.3 COMPARATIVE POSITIONING...... 24

6. RISKS AND BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS...... 27

7. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS...... 28

7.1 INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS ...... 28 7.2 CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND FUNDING SOURCES ...... 29 7.3 REVENUES AND EXPENSES BENCHMARKS ...... 30

8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 31

9. APPENDICES ...... 33

APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY OF INTERVIEWS...... 33

AGRIPLEX | Business Case RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 7 Business Case for the Agriplex Construction Project

Prepared by MNP LLP on behalf of the Comox Valley Farmers Institute

Funding for this project has been provided by the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Opinions expressed in this document are those of the author and not necessarily those of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture. The Government of Canada, the B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, and its directors, agents, employees, or contractors will not be liable for any claims, damages, or losses of any kind whatsoever arising out of the use of, or reliance upon, this information.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page1 8 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1.1 PROJECT OPPORTUNITY The Comox Valley is facing both opportunities and constraints. Its growth is largely driven by the agricultural and aquaculture industries, however, available agricultural infrastructure has not kept pace with the rising demand for such commodities as vegetables, fruits, vineyards, beef, fowl and exotics. The local facilities are in need of modernization and expansion to suit the needs of the existing and future farming communities. This holds true to other industries in the Comox Valley that could leverage their growth and rising opportunities to attract new buyers and investors.

This report highlights the need for a large trade-convention center in the Comox Valley. The Comox Valley Farmers Institute (CVFI) is proposing a facility, herein called the Agriplex, which will aim to solve the problems of lost business revenue and economic benefit that currently occurs due to the physical constraints of event, convention and trade facilities in the area. The Agriplex will boost further growth in a number of industries, and thus, result in new business, economic and community enhancement benefits.

1.2 PROJECT BENEFITS Economic development. Generally considered as loss leaders, trade and convention centers have gained municipal support all over the world, as they provide great positive economic impacts across different industries. Most of these benefits arise as a result of generation of expenditures by event organization and delegates. The Agriplex will be able to attract this incremental spending by delegates, support the local hospitality industry, attract visitors in non-tourist seasons, promote the Comox Valley, and enhance the Agricultural and Aquaculture sectors in Comox. Business development. The Agriplex could play a role in business development for the region’s employers by supporting the development of local food markets, attracting new buyers and investors, supporting local jobs, and encouraging new business development.

Community enhancement. By providing new and expanded amenities for the local population, the Agriplex will attract new and exciting events to the Valley, support local professionals and academics, help integrate local youth and seniors, promote healthy lifestyles, and support spin-off revenues for the community through non- resident-based tax revenues.

1.3 PROJECT DETAILS The CVFI is proposing to build the Agriplex on the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds situated within the municipal boundaries of Courtenay on the new north connector to the Comox Valley. The 8.5 acre Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) site has recently been purchased by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), who initiated a Master Plan project for the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds to meet the needs of the community and stakeholder groups, and to incorporate potential economic opportunities and actions to support growth in the agriculture sector.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 2 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 9 The Agriplex will be able to accommodate different types of events, such as:

x Trade shows x Aeronautical events x Conferences x Sportsman shows x Fairs and Auctions x Cars, RV, and boat shows x Music festivals and outdoor concerts x Graduations and special events x Corporate and incentive events x Home shows x Community events x Summer, winter, senior games x Livestock shows x 4H Events

The Agriplex will offer different facilities and uses, including:

x Exhibition Space (140’ X 400’) x Storage x Meeting spaces x Community kitchen and concessions x Administrative space and Offices x Large parking space x Potential commercial space

As the Comox Valley is experiencing stable population growth and rapid industries development, this is the perfect time to start building a complex that would support the region’s current thriving economy and future business opportunities. The easily accessible geographic location would create an advantage for the Agriplex in the competitive market and position it well amongst the trade and convention centers on Vancouver Island and the West Coast.

Located on ALR lands, the Agriplex will be a dominant player in the trade-convention market with an Agricultural, Farming and Aquaculture focus in the Comox region and the Vancouver Island. It will accommodate such growing events as the Island Agricultural Show and BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival and attract other new exhibitions and fairs not only in Agriculture but also in other fast developing industries. By attracting new exhibitions and delegates to the Comox Valley, the Agriplex will largely contribute to the thriving region’s economy, promote and support local businesses, and bring more exciting and interesting events to the Comox community.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 3 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 10 2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 PROJECT PURPOSE The purpose of this business case is to provide a roadmap for the Comox Valley Farmers Institute (CVFI) to develop an exhibition centre (“the Agriplex”) at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds. This document is intended to assist the CVFI in creating community partnerships and fundraising opportunities that will support the development of the Agriplex. This business case will: 1. Summarize and communicate the benefits of the Agriplex; 2. Detail the trends supporting the development of the Agriplex; 3. Provide a market overview, including potential users and a comparison with similar facilities; and 4. Present high level financial benchmarks and information related to construction costs, average industry revenues, and potential operating costs.

2.2 PROJECT LIMITATIONS This report is provided for information purposes and is intended for general guidance only. It should not be regarded as comprehensive or as a substitute for personalized, professional advice. We have relied upon the completeness, accuracy, and fair presentation of all information and data obtained from public sources, believed to be reliable. The accuracy and reliability of the findings and opinions expressed in the presentation are conditional upon the completeness, accuracy, and fair presentation of the information underlying them. As a result, we caution readers not to rely upon any findings or opinions expressed for business or investment decisions and disclaim any liability to any party who relies upon them as such. Before taking any particular course of action, readers should contact their own professional advisor to discuss matters in the context of their particular situation.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 4 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 11 3. PROJECT OPPORTUNITY There is currently a shortage of event space in the Comox Valley. While the region uses its Sports Center (average capacity of 11,000 people standing),1 Florence Filberg Centre (average capacity 200 and 500 people) and the Native Sons Hall (average capacity of 400 and 115 people) to organise larger events, the capacity of these three facilities is small and has not supported the expansion of local events or attraction of larger events to the region. For example, the Island Agricultural Show and BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival are two events that are constrained by the physical size of their current facilities. The Island Agricultural Show in Comox is already operating at full capacity which has caused significant difficulties for the organizers and will likely result in a shortage of available exhibit space. The Island Agricultural Show has expressed their interest and support in establishing a trade-exhibit complex in the Comox Valley, like the Agriplex, that will be able to accommodate up to 5,0002 people at once. Currently, businesses and residents of the Comox Valley need to travel to facilities in Nanaimo, Cowichan, or Victoria for events such as trade shows, horse shows, and large conventions. This, in turn, has created a scenario where the Comox Valley may not be capturing all the benefits of an exhibition space in their region. This section will discuss the key trends supporting the need for an exhibition centre in the Comox Valley, as well as the potential community and economic benefits that would be supported by such a facility.

3.1 TRENDS SUPPORTING THE NEED FOR AN EXHIBITION CENTRE IN THE COMOX VALLEY The construction of an exhibition centre in the Comox Valley is supported by local and international trends intheconventionandtradeshowindustry.Atthelocallevel,thegrowingpopulation,expansionofkey industries, and accessibility to the grounds will support the need for an exhibition centre. In addition, the general economic conditions will support the development of an exhibition centre. Each is discussed below.

Population Growth Population growth in the Comox Valley supports the need for an exhibition centre. From 2005 to 2015, the population in the Comox Valley grew by over 10 percent, among the 25 fastest growing communities in BC. Figure 1 provides the historical and projected population level in the Comox Valley.

1 Note that capacity numbers are just estimates and depend on the layout for each specific event. 2 The estimate is based on the British Columbia Building Code 2012, Division 3 – Part 3, Table 3.1.17.1

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 5 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 12 Figure 1: Historical and Forecasted Population in the Comox Valley3

75,000

70,000

65,000

60,000

55,000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025

Historical Poplulation Population Forecast

BC Stats’ population projections expect the Comox Valley to grow by 35 percent between 2011 and 2036. This is faster than the projected population growth for the province at 32 percent, ranks sixth among the 29 regional districts in the province, and ranks first among regional districts on Vancouver Island.4 It is expected that as population rises, so too will the demand for more regional amenities and larger events. The Agriplex could be well positioned to address both of these growing needs.

Key Industry Growth The Comox Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in the province. The region experienced the highest growth in building permits year-over-year in 2015.5 The Comox Valley has a diversified economic base driven by key industries and has benefited from recent investments including a new $331 million regional hospital and new investment into Mount Washington Alpine Resort. According to Invest Comox Valley and the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, the key industries are:6,7

x Agriculture and Aquaculture (strong local base and regional competitiveness) x Air Service Support (19 Wing - Royal Canadian Air Force) x Forestry and Fishing (high priority retention target) x Construction and Development (current strength) x Health Services (new regional hospital) x Tourism and Resort Development (e.g. Mount Washington Alpine Resort) x Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (current strength) x Primary and Secondary Manufacturing (weak local base but regional competitiveness)

3 BC Stats, “Population Projections,” 2013, available here (accessed September 1, 2016): http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/StatisticsBySubject/Demography/PopulationProjections.aspx 4 Vann Struth Consulting Group, “Comox Valley Investor Profile and Economic Benchmarking Analysis”, 2014, available here (accessed September 1, 2016): Inchttp://www.investcomoxvalley.com/files/documents/INVESTOR-PROFILE-for-the-Comox-Valley-May-2014-AGM.pdf 5 Invest Comox Valley, “Key Sectors”, 2015, available here (accessed August 30, 2016): http://www.investcomoxvalley.com/key-sectors 6 Ibid. 7 MDB Insight, “Employment and Industrial Lands-Based FDI Strategy”, 2016

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 6 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 13 From the 2011 census, employment in the focus industries was over 44 percent of the regional overall employment (Table 1). This is a four percentage point increase over the last five years when the employment in key industries was only 40 percent of total employment.8 Table 1: Comox Valley Key Industries by Employment9

Industry Employment Health care and social assistance 4,120 Public administration 3,085 Construction 2,725 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting 1,845 Professional, scientific and technical services 1,790 Information and cultural industries 410 Total for Key Industries 13,975 Other Industries 17,465 Total for all Industries 31,440

All of these industries and their employment growth support the development of an Agriplex for two reasons. First, it demonstrates that the Comox Valley has a relatively diversified economy with many industries that would benefit from the services of the exhibition centre. Second, it shows that there are industry clusters in the region that could attract larger events to the facility, such as 19 Wing Comox, health care, construction, and agriculture (including aquaculture). In addition, the Comox Valley has well developed retail trade, accommodation and food services, and arts, entertainment and recreation sectors to support visitors to events at the Agriplex. Almost one-quarter of the region’s employment is within these sectors. Accessibility Comox Valley is easily accessible by different means of transportation, which serves as an advantage in organising regional or national events and attracting visitors from the nearby regions. The more accessible a trade/convention center is, the more likely the organizers and exhibitors are to hold an event there, as it makes it easier for visitors and exhibitors to get to an event. The Comox Valley accessibility factors include a ferry terminal, YQQ airport, the North Courtney Connector, and hydroplanes.

x The Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). ThebiggestadvantagefortheAgriplextoholdprovincialor national events is the availability and proximity of the Comox Valley Airport (YQQ). The Comox Valley Airport is a fast developing airport with growth of almost 9 percent in 2016 year-to-date over 2015. Comox Valley Airport will be only 15 minutes away from the proposed Agriplex location. It has four airlines with daily non-stop flights to Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, along with excellent connections available to destinations throughout Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia. Kenmore Air also offers non-stop flights to and from the Seattle Boeing Field to the Campbell River Airport, which is 35 minutes north of the Comox Valley.

8 Invest Comox Valley, “Comox Valley Regional Economic Development Strategic Plan Update,” 2013, available here (accessed on August 29, 2016): http://investcomoxvalley.com/files/documents/ComoxValleyRegionalEDStrategicPlanUpdateFinal.pdf 9 NHS, Statistics Canada. Comox Valley RD, 2011, available here (accessed on September 1, 2016): https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs- enm/2011/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm?Lang=E

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 7 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 14 x Ferry Terminal. Regular ferry service links the British Columbia Mainland and Washington State to the Comox Valley. x The North Courtney Connector. The Comox Valley is only a 90 minute drive north from Nanaimo or under three hour drive from Victoria. The North Courtenay Connector will improve the connection between Highway 19 and north Courtenay, allowing for better access to key destinations in the region. x Hydroplanes. Harbour Air offers harbour-to-harbour flights between the downtown Vancouver terminal and the Comox Bay Marina. General Economic Conditions The convention and trade show industry is projected to grow at an annual rate of 1.1 percent over the five years to 2020.10 This is due to three primary reasons:11

x Rising corporate profits will support more discretionary spending from businesses that may then increase demand for events at convention centers as well as increased resources to send employees to trade shows and other corporate events. x The rise in consumer spending may support demand from consumers to attend more festivals and events hosted by exhibition centres such as the Agriplex. x The weaker Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar has increased the number of US-based events that are seeking to hold their events in Canada. According to the 25th Annual Meetings Market Survey distributed by the Professional Convention Management Association, roughly 50 percent of respondents reported that they planned to hold meetings outside of the United States.

3.2 POTENTIAL COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE AGRIPLEX The Agriplex would specifically benefit the regional area through three mechanisms:

x Economic Development x Business Development x Community Enhancement Each of the three mechanisms are discussed below.

3.2.1 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The economic development of the Agriplex would arise from the generation of expenditures in the region from event organization and delegate spending. These expenditures would, in turn, support economic impacts and spin-off effects for the region. The economic benefits can be supported in the following ways:

x Supporting and enhancing Agriculture and Aquaculture sectors. Approximately one-third of the Vancouver Island’s ALR is located in the Comox Valley. The total size of ALR land covers roughly 23 percent of the Comox Valley with a total of 50,414 acres available for farming and have full or limited potential for farming12. Only 13,435 acres are currently in use. According to the CVRD, there is a great potential in the Comox Valley to create a more food secure region. The Agriplex

10 IBISWorld, “Convention and Visitor Bureaus in Canada,” [NAICS 56159]. MNP has a subscription to this service. 11 Ibid. 12 BCMA Land Use Inventory 2013 Census of Agriculture, “Agrifood Comox Valley Sector Profile”, 2013, available here (accessed on September 12, 2016): http://agrifoodcomoxvalley.com/files/documents/Agrifood-Comox-Valley-Sector-Profile%282%29.pdf

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 8 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 15 will be a great opportunity to support and enhance the agriculture and aquaculture sectors by bringing together buyers and sellers on a large scale and by attracting new opportunities and investors to the area. x Attracting incremental spending by delegates and exhibitors who participate in these events. Large conventions that draw out-of-town visitors help bring new money into the region. For example, it is estimated that the BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival that took place in 2015 resulted in over 3,000 ticket sales and in more than 400 hotel room nights booked in the community.13 The Agriplex could mean more events and larger events to support the local hospitality industry. x Economic Impacts. The expenditures of these groups support economic impacts in the region. This is supported by the experience of two other convention centres on Vancouver Island, the VancouverIslandConventionCentreandtheVictoriaConventionCentre.Accordingtothe Vancouver Island Convention Center in Nanaimo, the 19 conferences that took place in 2015 resulted in over $6 million of economic benefits to the region.14 In addition, the Victoria Convention Centre has generated more than $670 million in estimated economic impacts for Victoria over the last 25 years.15 x Extending the seasonality of visits beyond what is typically associated with leisure tourism. Based on information gathered on the Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre (TradeX), the summer months are the low season for conventions and exhibitions. Consequently, a facility such as the Agriplex could serve an important function to extend the typical “tourist season” from the summer months to year round, as it would help attract visitors to the region during the typically slower tourism months (i.e. October to April). x Attract large events and promote the Comox Valley. The Agriplex could serve as a venue to attract large events to the region and therefore promote the area as an investment and tourism destination. x Accommodating for the region’s employment intensities. According to the Comox Valley Economic Development Society, if employment intensities remain the same over the next few decades, the Comox Valley will require additional land in different categories in order to accommodate further growth. The Agriplex is able to catch the trend in rising demand for land use and development. Moreover, it will be able to ignite other industries development which will experience further growth and an ability to accommodate rising employment growth.

3.2.2 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT The Agriplex could play a role in business development for the region’s employers. Support could include the following:

x Supporting the development of local food markets. Currently, local food markets are constrained by the capacity of existing venues. For example, throughout the year, the Comox Valley Farmers Market has had to ask five to 10 vendors to relocate their stalls to the Native Sons Hall, while the

13 Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism, “2015 Annual Report”,2015, available here (accessed on August 28, 2016): http://www.investcomoxvalley.com/files/documents/FINAL_CVEDS-2015-AGM-Report.pdf 14 Vancouver Island Conference Centre, “ The VICC Annual Report 2014-2015”, 2015, available here (accessed on August 31,2016): https://www.nanaimo.ca/UploadedFilesPath/Site_Structure/Corporate_Services/Corporate_Administration/Presentations/COW150427PVanco uver_Island_Conference_Centre_Annual_Report_2014-2015.pdf 15 Victoria Conference Center, “Economic Impact”, available here (accessed on August 28, 2016): http://victoriaconference.com/about- us/economic-impact/

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 9 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 16 remaining 45 vendors have their stalls inside. Local food markets are very popular in the Comox region, and on the Island in general, attracting organic produce as well as specialty meat producers. The Agriplex would be able to accommodate events like the Comox Valley Farmers Market and allow growth and development for local food markets and exhibitions. Due to the limited consumer base on the North Island, profitability is a concern for Comox area farmers.16 The Agriplex could alleviate this issue by attracting more delegates and attracting new population to the valley through holding entertaining events, knowledge-based conferences, and fairs. x Attracting new business audiences. One review suggests that up to 20 percent of the studied companies found new customers as the result of a trade show.17 The Agriplex could provide an important avenue to support local businesses with business development through trade shows. In addition, large events with up to 5,00018 attendees (space with non-fixed seats and tables) will allow enhancement of professional development and knowledge transfer, which will have a positive impact on overall business performance. x Supporting local jobs. The expenditures of delegates, Figure 2: Average spending per group exhibitors, and event organizers support local in Comox Valley businesses that supply their products and services. The average spending per visitor can vary from $315 (measured by Vancouver Island Convention Center)to $594 (a study conducted by the Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism). x Attracting new investment and growing businesses. Conventions and trade shows can help lead to new investment into a community. For example, the Comox Valley hosted five events with the Innovation Island Technology Association that engaged over 100 technology entrepreneurs. Of these entrepreneurs, Visitor Profile Report by Comox Valley, 2015 The lines represent the general range of spending per group. two secured $40,000 in capital investment which helped them increase their revenue over $100,000 and added two new jobs to the economy.19 A larger facility could provide a venue to attract new entrepreneurs to the region and to match local entrepreneurs with thesupporttheyneed.

3.2.3 COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT The Agriplex could play a role in community enhancement by providing new and expanded amenities for the local population. The community can be enhanced through avenues such as:

16 BCMA Land Use Inventory 2013 Census of Agriculture, “Agrifood Comox Valley Sector Profile”, 2013, available here (accessed on September 12, 2016): http://agrifoodcomoxvalley.com/files/documents/Agrifood-Comox-Valley-Sector-Profile%282%29.pdf 17 GardnerPinfold,“EconomicImpactAssessmentoftheProposedRedevelopmentofWorldTradeandConventionCentreinHalifax”,2009, available here (accessed on August 27, 2016): http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/site- tcl/media/tradecentrelimited/Gardner%20Pinfold_EIA_Final_Report_Dec_2009.pdf 18 The estimate is based on the British Columbia Building Code 2012, Division 3 – Part 3, Table 3.1.17.1 19 Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism, “Annual Report 2015,” available here (accessed September 6, 2016): http://www.investcomoxvalley.com/files/documents/FINAL_CVEDS-2015-AGM-Report.pdf

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 10 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 17 x New and expanded events. The Agriplex could attract and support more and larger events for local residents to enjoy such as festivals, concerts and consumer shows. This will contribute to the destination and tourism profile in the Comox Valley and Vancouver Island. x Support the activities of local businesses, professionals, and academics. Creating facilities that support the activities of local business, professional, and academic communities by enabling them to host national and international events related to their areas of interest and attract attention to their own accomplishments. x Community integration. Large events and conventions will help increase youth and senior participation in the community, which will lead to increased attractiveness of the Comox Region for young and retired populations. x Source of non-resident based tax revenues. The Agriplex could support spin-off revenues for the community through non-resident-based tax revenues such as the Hotel Room Tax. Such revenues could fund community services for local residents.

4. THE PROPOSED AGRIPLEX

4.1 DESIGN Thomas Dishlevoy Architecture Limited has proposed a preliminary design for the Agriplex. According to the design, the complex will be approximately 56,000 square feet (SF) with the capacity to accommodate up to 256 booths (10’ by 10’ configuration), 2,800 people, and a standard horse riding ring. The Agriplex will be built in two phases, Phase 1 and Phase 2, plus additional parking space. Phase 1 - $4.6 million Phase 1 will be a pre-engineered steel building (140’ by 400’) with concrete slab and foundation, one washroom pavilion for approximately 2,000 people, and an indoor/outdoor mobile performance stage. The pre-engineered structure will have minimal basic preparation to help reduce construction costs. Total cost for constructing Phase 1 will be approximately $4.6 million. Phase 2 - $4.5 million Phase 2 will be built in modules and attached to the main structure. Two modules will be attached from the east and west sides of the main building. The eastern side of the building will have kitchen and concession/bar. The western side will have an entry and administration pavilion and two storage pavilions, one to the left and the other to the right of the administration building. The administration pavilion will be a two-storeyed structure with space for meeting rooms and offices, and additional washrooms. Total cost for constructing Phase 1 will be approximately $4.5 million. Parking - $1.5 million In order to accommodate large events of up to 5,000 people, the Agriplex will require sufficient parking. The current plan is to build approximately 568 parking spots. Some overflow parking will be available at the other recreation centers at the Exhibition Grounds, the proposed bus loop location, as well as the additional vacant area to the west side of the building. Parking fees may bring additional revenue to Agriplex.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 11 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 18 Figure 3: Proposed Exterior Design of the Agriplex

The proposed facility will have two floors. The main Figure 4: Main Floor of the Proposed Agriplex floor (Figure 4) will have the following amenities: x Foyer with an information kiosk x Three offices x Show office and show lounge x Meeting room The upper floor (Figure 5) will have the following amenities:

x Meeting room x Administration Figure 5: Upper Floor of the Proposed Agriplex The space will be specifically designed for flexibility in order to accommodate as many types of events as possible. For example, flexible elements may include:

x Two events going on simultaneously x Potential removable sound-proof divider x Potential for stables on the ground, not interfered with by the building x Indoor/outdoor mobile stage

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 12 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 19 4.2 LOCATION The CVFI is proposing to build the Agriplex on the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) lands situated within the municipal boundaries of Courtenay on the new north connector to the Comox Valley. The 8.5 acre site is located on the intersection of Dove Creek Road and Headquarters Road. The land has been recently purchased by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and was formerly known as the Stonehenge Farm. The location will provide easy access for out of town visitors, as the re-construction of the North Connector will situate the entrance of the Agriplex along a main thoroughfare in the Comox Valley. It will be easily accessible by transit, bicycle, and by foot. The re-construction of Headquarters Road will make the road a major hub to enter and exit the north part of the region, able to handle a larger traffic loads and increase accessibility. A Master Plan for the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds has been initiated by the CVRD. The purpose of the project is to prepare a master plan for the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds, including the original property and the newly acquired adjacent 8.5 acre site. The master plan is to meet the needs of community and stakeholder groups, and to incorporate potential economic opportunities and actions to support growth in the agriculture sector. Figure 6 provides a drawing of the proposed location. Figure 6: Proposed Location of the Agriplex

AGRIPLEX

MASTER RECREATION PLAN AREA

PARKING

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 13 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 20 4.3 FACILITIES The Agriplex will be able to provide approximately 56,000 square feet of flexible meeting space which can accommodate a wide range of users. Potential facilities may include a multipurpose space, administrative space, meeting space, and commercial space. The exact facilities and uses will be confirmed as the users and partners of the Agriplex are solidified. Exhibition Space The main exhibition space will have 56,000 square feet of available space in the centre of the building. The area will also have space dividers to allow for multiple events simultaneously. The facility will be able to accommodate 2,800 people in banquet style seating and 256 trade show booths (10’ by 10’). The exhibition space will also have an indoor/outdoor moving stage, which will be capable of hosting concerts inside the facility and on the surrounding grounds. The multipurpose space will attract the following user types:

x Trade shows x Aeronautical events x Conferences x Sportsman shows x Fairs and Auctions x Cars, RV, and boat shows x Music festivals and outdoor concerts x Graduations and special events x Corporate and incentive events x Home shows x Community events x Summer, winter, senior games x Livestock shows x 4H Events

Administrative and Office Space The administrative and office space will be located on the main and upper floors of the entry pavilion. The administration room will be approximately 1,408 square feet and will be located on the upper floor. The administration room will be allocated for the use of the managing board of the Agriplex, as well as potential office tenants. The facility will also have a show office and a lounge. The two rooms will be dedicated for event administrators and their teams. Located on the main floor of the entry pavilion, the rooms will be 222 and 216 square feet. The office space will be located on the main floor. There will be three offices: 354 square feet, 208 square feet, and 81 square feet. Potential users of the office space include:

x Municipality and Regional Administration x Sponsors x Agriculture agencies, e.g. CV Exhibition Association x Additional meeting rooms Meeting Space Meeting space will be available on the main floor of the entry pavilion offering 301 square feet of space. Meeting rooms will be rented separately or used as breakout space for events. The Agriplex might also have one large meeting room to accommodate 60 to 100 people.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 14 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 21 Commercial Space Commercial space is a potential use of additional Agriplex space. This may include a gift shop featuring local goods or another local store. Storage and Kitchen The Agriplex will have two wings of storage space allocated on the west side. Both storage rooms will be 3,566 square feet and will be used for event purposes. On the east side of the building there will be a community kitchen and concession/bar. The bar (422 square feet) and the kitchen (2,810 square feet) will be operated by the Agriplex board. The Agriplex will provide a full range of catering and concession menu items accommodating up to 5,000 people. Parking The proposed parking site will be located to the west of the building and will have approximately 568 car stalls. Since the Agriplex is proposed as part of the Comox Valley Exhibition Master Plan and Master Recreation Plan, and is located nearby the Vanier School parking, pool, and curling rink, its parking may be shared with the other facilities. This could also provide overflow parking for the Agriplex.

4.4 SCOPE OF SERVICES Table 2 provides a list of proposed services that will be provided by the managing board of the Agriplex. Table 2: Summary of the Proposed Amenities of the managing board of Agriplex

Maintenance of core building systems and the physical building to include: x Major lifecycle repairs to the building. Building Services x General and adhoc maintenance. x Maintenance and replacement of specific identified furniture, fixings, and equipment (“FF&E”).

Environmental and Management of utilities systems and monitoring of energy consumption. Ongoing analysis of consumption for future Utilities Management assessment/considerations. Waste Management Provision and disposing of recycling and waste management. Pest control Ensuring building remains free from pests. Cleaning services to include regular and ongoing Housekeeping maintenance as well as deep cleaning of kitchen. Ensuring surrounding grounds are landscaped and accessible. This would include the provision of: Grounds Maintenance x Horticultural services. x Snow and ice removal. x Distribution of sand/salt in the winter.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 15 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 22 Provision of audio visual and other technology equipment including: AV/Technology x Providing the physical infrastructure to support and use the technology. x Maintenance and replacement of infrastructure. Provision of building security including administration Building Security and management of all building security services. Ensure the appropriate number of event managers and technicians are employed to provide the level of service Event Support and required for the volume of events. Entertainment Develop and tender list of preferred suppliers to address drayage, audiovisual, décor services. The board will be responsible for attracting new clients, Marketing building a client base, advertising and developing the Agriplex branding. Equipment rentals will bring additional revenue to Agriplex. Equipment Renting The board will be responsible for maintaining the equipment and providing it to the exhibitors. Theboardwillprovideanaccesstothebarandkitchen. Including: Kitchen and Concessions x Staffing and necessary equipment. x Maintenance of the equipment. Provision of support desk services to deal with: x Enquiries. Support Desk x Service requests. x Complaints and compliments. x Any other notifications.

4.5 OWNERSHIP MODEL20 It is typical for some level of government to own convention and trade centers. In Canada, all major convention centers are owned by the government or crown corporations with the exception of two facilities in Toronto where ownership is fully privatized, as market conditions and the specific use of facilities make private ownership feasible.21 Across government owners, “approximately 60 percent are owned by cities but the balance is split between regional/provincial governments (23 percent) and national governments (17 percent), the latter generally being the case where there is only one major center in the country.”22 By far the most common model is public ownership with management and operation via a single purpose corporation (e.g. CVFI)

20 Deloitte, “Development of the New World Trade and Convention Center Business Case”, 2009, available here (accessed on August 26, 2016): http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/site-tcl/media/tradecentrelimited/Deloitte_Business_Case_PCC_Report_July_2009.pdf 21 Ibid. 22 Criterion Communications Inc., “Phase One Report: Redevelopment oftheWorldTradeandConventionCentreHalifax.AReviewofBusiness Prospects and Implications”, 2009, available here (accessed on August 22, 2016): http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/site- tcl/media/tradecentrelimited/Criterion_Report_Review_Business_Prospects_Implications_April_2009.pdf

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 16 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 23 reporting directly to the government owner (e.g. Comox Valley Regional District). For example, TradeX in Abbotsford is owned by the City of Abbotsford and operated by Tourism Abbotsford. Similarly, the VancouverIslandConventionCentreisownedbytheCityofNanaimoandoperatedbytheVICC Management Company Limited. Once the construction of site is approved, there will be a detailed financial comparison of different ownership models, considering a managing board operating as a non-profit organization, or having a Ltd. organization, an incorporated contractor, or a mix of several models.

4.6 COMMUNICATION STRATEGY AND COMMITTEE STRUCTURE SECTION The proponents of the Agriplex project appreciate its importance and benefit to the Comox Valley. As this project requires substantial funding from all levels of government and the general public we need their support and increase their appreciation for this project. Information on what is to be built, what it can accommodate and what benefit it would bring to the Comox Valley needs to be shown. To this end a Communication Strategy needs to be formulated. Then a Committee needs to be struck representing as many interested and varied members from the general public to articulate the need and benefits of this project. For instance this committee could consist of a fundraising chair and possibly two co-chairs with about twenty tax payers representing various interests, diversity and involvement in the Comox Valley.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 17 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 24 5. MARKET OVERVIEW It is important to distinguish broad categories of events that reflect different market focus, attendance and economic impact generation capability. Table 3 provides a general outline of event types. Due to its size, the Agriplex would be able to host all four types of events, however, given its more remote location it may specialize in local events and events of a smaller size across the categories. Given that the Agriplex will specialize in agriculture, farming and aquaculture events, its consumer shows will likely include agriculture and farming fairs and exhibitions. In addition, horse shows might take place both inside and outside the facility. Table 3: Exhibition Event Types23

Consumer Conferences and Conventions Tradeshows Shows and Auctions Horse Shows Meetings Fairs Market Focus Information Forum to Smaller corporate Public shows Similar to Public events exchange bring or association where consumer organised by between industry meetings. suppliers shows. Public equestrian professional buyers and display/sell shows where facilities. groups and sellers More specific in goods directly an Includes associations. together. purpose than a to the public. organization exhibition or convention. displays goods horses. Can include Sometimes Typically for bidding. trade show sponsored by Includes local charge component. trade or business meetings admission. Typically does technical and board not charge association. meetings etc. admission. Attendance Profile Most out-of- Some out-of- Varies by event. Local Local Some out-of- town town attendees. attendees. town attendance. attendees/ attendees exhibitors, and Visit often who combine exhibitors. combined visit with with vacation, vacation, spouse rarely spouse often accompanies comes along. delegate. Rotation Rotation Meet in No rotation. Locally No rotation. Usually no determined major produced. Mostly locally rotation. by markets to produced. association maximize charter. number of

23 HLT Advisory Inc., “Ontario Convention Market Analysis Final Report”, 2008, available here (accessed on August 26, 2016): http://www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/publications/Ontario_convention_market_analysis_study.pdf

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 18 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 25 Consumer Conferences and Conventions Tradeshows Shows and Auctions Horse Shows Meetings Fairs Prefer buyers and tourist sellers. destinations. Little rotation. Revenue Generation Registration Exhibit booth Registration fees. Admissions. Booking fees. Registrations fees. sales. fees. Sponsorship. Booth sales. Sponsorship. Sponsorship. Sponsorship. Economic Impacts High Moderate Limited economic Limited Limited Moderate economic economic impact. economic economic Economic impact. impact. impact. impacts. Impact.

Across the four categories of events, there are a number of key sectors that demand exhibition space. As shown in Figure 7, most sectors require facilities in the range of the Agriplex’s size. The only two sectors that demand significantly more space are consumer/retail goods and industrial/heavy machinery. Consequently, the Agriplex would likely be able to attract events in all sectors, but only smaller events in the consumer/retail goods and industrial/heavy machinery sectors.

Figure 7: Average Size (in SF) of an Exhibition for each Consolidate Industry Sector in North America24

Consumer/Retail Goods Industrial/Heavy Machinery Transportation Agriculture, Aquaculture, Forestry, and Energy Hospitality and Food and Beverage Building, Construction and Home Electronics and Telecommunications Consumer Services (e.g. Sports and Amusement) Security, Fire Safety, Defence Medical and Health Care Business Services 0 50,000 100,000 150,000

In addition to the types of events and sectors demanding event space, exhibition centres operate in a business area that has its own distinct dynamics, sales processes, decision factors, and economics. Among the features that distinguish this sector are:25

24 UFI The global Association of Exhibition Industry, “Global Exhibition Industry Statistics”, 2014, available here (accessed on August 31, 2016): http://www.ufi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/2014_exhibiton_industry_statistics_b.pdf 25 Criterion Communications Inc., “Phase One: Redevelopment of the WorldTradeandConventionCenterHalifax,AReviewofBusiness Prospects and Implications”, 2009, available here (accessed on August 25, 2016): http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/site- tcl/media/tradecentrelimited/Criterion_Report_Review_Business_Prospects_Implications_April_2009.pdf

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 19 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 26 x It is a business-to-business enterprise which targets very specific client groups whose needs and event characteristics are well known. It is not a consumer driven sector as compared with tourism. x Revenues from convention delegates are generally much higher than those associated with other visitors. x The sales process focuses on overall events rather than individual delegates, therefore a single sale can generate thousands of visits. x Convention business has a lengthy lead time. Larger events may be booked as far as eight years in advance, and require numerous steps in the sales process from initial decision to final contract and servicing agreement. x The business is highly competitive, as many destinations seek to attract the economic and community benefits that arise from conventions. x Many meetings and conventions are attracted into the community via local residents who have affiliations with national and international organizations. Community relations are thus an important element of the marketing process. These unique business characteristics are reflected in theeconomicsoftheindustry.Aseventplannersare well aware of the economic benefits the events bring *** to a city, pricing levels for centres are extremely As event planners are well aware of the competitive, with convention centres typically major economic benefits their events bring to operated as “loss leaders” for attracting the a city, pricing levels for centres are extremely economic and community benefits rather than competitive with convention centres maximizing facility revenues.26 typically operated as “loss leaders” for As a result, owners typically develop mechanisms to attracting these benefits rather than “capture” a portion of the overall economic benefit maximizing facility revenues. generated by events taking place in convention *** centres as a way of subsidizing concessions required to attract business. The most frequently used mechanisms are:27 x Direct government subsidies, based on the incremental tax revenues generated by events hosted at the centre. x A dedicated tax stream generated from business sectors (i.e. hotels) that benefit directly from convention centre activities. x Applying ancillary revenue generation streams to the centre, which allows it to become self- financing. The most typical of these are parking revenues, retail-lease revenues, and food and beverage revenues.

26 Criterion Communications Inc., “Phase One: Redevelopment of the WorldTradeandConventionCenterHalifax,AReviewofBusiness Prospects and Implications”, 2009, available here (accessed on August 25, 2016): http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/site- tcl/media/tradecentrelimited/Criterion_Report_Review_Business_Prospects_Implications_April_2009.pdf 27 Criterion Communications Inc., “Phase One: Redevelopment of the WorldTradeandConventionCenterHalifax,AReviewofBusiness Prospects and Implications”, 2009, available here (accessed on August 25, 2016): http://www.tradecentrelimited.com/site- tcl/media/tradecentrelimited/Criterion_Report_Review_Business_Prospects_Implications_April_2009.pdf

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 20 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 27 5.1 USERS AND CLIENTS Based on discussions with the CVFI, Table 4 provides a list of potential users of the facility. This list is expected to grow as more partners join the project. Table 4: Potential Users of the Agriplex may include:

Innovation, Tech and Farming, Agriculture, Aquaculture Administrative and Office Machinery x CVFI x Trucker Loggers x Comox Valley Farmers x Island Agriculture Show Association Institute x Comox Valley Fall Fair x Aerospace Innovation x Comox Valley Regional x Comox Valley Farmers’ Forum District Market x Emerging technologies x Comox Valley x Comox Valley Farm Cycle and panel discussions Exhibition Association Tour x RV and Car Shows x Economic x Cattle shows x Boat Shows Development Society x Rodeos x Innovation Island x Discover Comox Valley x 4H Auction Technology x Satellite office x Canadian Health Food Association Association x Home shows x Horse/dog communities x Bee Conference Recreation and Sports x BC Shellfish and Seafood x Hockey tournaments Expo and Festival x Winter Jam National and Provincial x Bakery Congress x Indoor soccer Events x Organic groceries tournaments x Ducks Unlimited x Canadian Health Food x Basketball/Volleyball Association West x Livestock shows tournaments x BC Cattlemen x Senior games Association x Summer/Winter x Aquaculture Canada games and Cold Harvest Conference and Tradeshow Community x K’omoks First Nations x North Island College x Comox Valley Land Trust x Schools Graduation Ceremonies x Comox Valley District 4-H x UBCM and FCM x Weddings x Local Events

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 21 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 28 5.2 COMPARABLE FACILITIES Six facilities that are comparable to the Agriplex have been examined based on their geographical location and proximity, space capacity, market focus, and general characteristics. These facilities are: x Vancouver Island Conference Center x Victoria Conference Center x Cowichan Cultural and Conference Center x Cowichan Valley Exhibition Center x Port Alberni Fair Center x Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre (TradeX) Across the comparable facilities, the Agriplex would be the third largest facility, behind TradeX and the Victoria Convention Centre. Figure 8 provides a summary of the size of comparable facilities.

Figure 8: Square Footage of Similar Facilities 140,000 120,000 100,000 80,000 60,000 40,000 20,000 0 Fraser Valley Victoria Agriplex Vancouver Cowichan Port Alberni Cowichan Trade and Conference Island Valley Fair Center Cultural and Exhibition Center Conference Exhibition Conference Center Center Center Center (TradeX)

Based on the comparable facilities, the Agriplex will be the third largest space in terms of overall square footage. The differentiating factor for the Agriplex will be the size of the single-room multipurpose space which will occupy 56,000 square feet in the centre of the building. As shown in Figure 9, most comparable facilities have smaller convention (multipurpose) space and do not have availability for large single-room events (e.g. horse shows). As such, this may provide an opportunity for the Agriplex to attract events that the other comparable facilities cannot.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 22 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 29 Figure 9: Size of Largest Exhibition Space by Comparable Facility

70,000 60,000

50,000 40,000

30,000 20,000 10,000

0 TradeX Agriplex Victoria Cowichan Vancouver Port Alberni Cowichan Conference Valley Island Fair Center Cultural and Center Exhibition Conference Conference Center Center Center

The size of the facility will be the largest compared with the size of the local population. The Agriplex will have approximately 56,000 square feet, similar to the region’s population of just over 55,200. This produces a ratio of population per square foot of approximately 1:1. Other similar facilities have a higher local population supporting their facility, with a ratio of approximately 2.5 for the Vancouver Island Convention Centre and over 4.5 for the Victoria Conference Centre. This suggests that the Agriplex will likely need to attract events from outside of the region in order to support the development. Most comparator regions already attract a number of external events in addition to a larger local population with which to support the facility. The population to size of similar facilities is included in Figure 10. Figure 10: Local Population, Airport Traffic, and Square Feet of Similar Facilities

1,200,000 140,000

1,000,000 120,000 100,000 800,000 80,000 600,000 60,000

400,000 Square Feet 40,000

200,000 20,000 Population and Airport Traffic 0 0 Vancouver Island Victoria Fraser Valley Trade Agriplex Conference Center Conference Center and Exhibition Center (TradeX)

Population Airport traffic/year Square Footage

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 23 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 30 Figure 10 also indicates that the Comox Valley has an airport that can support the Agriplex. This is important as it allows for the easy transportation of visitors to the Agriplex and its events. As indicated in the figure, the Comox Valley’s airport serves a similar or larger number of visitors than regions that are larger than the Comox Valley. This suggests that the airport in the Comox Valley could support the local Agriplex.

5.3 COMPARATIVE POSITIONING To supplement the information on comparable facilities, MNP conducted three interviews with TradeX, the Cowichan Valley Exhibition Centre, and the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. For more detail on the interview findings please see Appendix A. Based on available information from the comparable facilities, Table 5 provides comparison of the facilities across a number of metrics.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 24 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 31 Table 5: Comparative Statistics on the Agriplex and Similar Facilities

Vancouver Cowichan Fraser Valley Victoria Cowichan Valley Island Cultural and Port Alberni Trade and Specifications Agriplex Conference Exhibition Conference Conference Fair Center Exhibition Center Center Center Center Center (TradeX) >14,470 SF + Function Space 56,000 SF 38,000 SF 73,000 SF 9,495 SF >50,00 SF open 12,000 SF 120,000 SF door 13,697 SF Largest Exhibit 56,000 SF (divisible in 4 25,000 SF 3,600 SF 14,400 SF 12,000 SF 60,000 SF space salons) 1 (the rest are Breakout rooms 592042NAon the show floor) Theater No 800-seat 400-seat 108-seat No No No 10x10 256 ~90 81 NA 72 78 660+ Capacity 2,800 1,300 2,000 250 1,477 700 NA (persons) Riverwalk Kitchen 2,810 SF 2,000 SF Yes Yes NA Yes cafe 1,200 (+3,200 Parking stalls 568 300 310 NA NA NA overflow spaces) 1,200+ Hotel rooms 4,200+ 6,100 + NA NA NA 1,000 + guestrooms In 2007 the Hosts over 90 Agriculture City acquired events every Oriented, has a the Crystal year and Recent/Planned barn and an Garden — a services nearly enhancements outdoor ring for $10 million 2.4 million and other facts cattle and investment to consumers in horses with 3 increase a the Fraser stages available conference Valley and

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 25

RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 32 Vancouver Cowichan Fraser Valley Victoria Cowichan Valley Island Cultural and Port Alberni Trade and Specifications Agriplex Conference Exhibition Conference Conference Fair Center Exhibition Center Center Center Center Center (TradeX) business to Lower Mainland the City of BC City Comox Valley Nanaimo Victoria Duncan Duncan Port Alberni Abbotsford Population28 65,538 98,021 344,615 43,252 43,252 25,465 170,191 Airport 318,83029 270,00030 976,02231 NA NA NA 477,08732 traffic/year Year open 2008 1990 1990 1867 NA 1991 Airport (YQQ) - Airport (YCD) – destinations to Airport (YYJ) – destinations to Vancouver, 7 Canadian Airport (YXX) – Vancouver, Edmonton, and destinations destinations to Abbotsford, Calgary. 15 and 2 US. Vancouver, Victoria, and minutes to Connections Connections Connections Calgary, Calgary Agriplex. through through through Edmonton, Ferry terminal Victoria, Victoria, Victoria, Nanaimo, Accessibility Ferry terminal. to Vancouver Nanaimo, Nanaimo, Nanaimo, Comox, Victoria 15 minutes to Ferry terminal and Seattle Sidney, or Sidney, or Tofino, or Agriplex. Courtney. Courtney. Courtenay. 15 min away North Courtney from Ca/US Connector Hydroplanes Hydroplanes border 50 min away Hydroplanes from Vancouver

28 Statistics Canada, “Population for Census metropolitan areas”, 2011, available here (accessed on September 2, 2016): https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/as-sa/fogs-spg/Facts-cma- eng.cfm?LANG=Eng&GK=CMA&GC=938 29 Comox Valley Airport, “News Release”, 2015, available here (accessed on September 2, 2016): http://www.comoxairport.com/highlights/documents/doc87.pdf 30 Nanaimo Airport Commission, “Annual report 2014” , 2014, available here (accessed on September 2, 106): http://www.nanaimoairport.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/2014_AnnualReport_book.pdf 31 Victoria Airport Authority, “Airport Traffic Report”, 2016, available here (accessed on September 2, 2016): https://www.victoriaairport.com/pdfs/Traffic_Summary_1.pdf 32 Abbotsford International Airport, “Facts and Statistics”, 2014, available here (accessed on September 2, 2016): http://www.abbotsfordairport.ca/Page3461.aspx

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 26

RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 33 6. RISKS AND BUILDING CONSIDERATIONS The CVFI is currently in discussions with various partners who are interested in the development of the Agriplex. Consequently, the exact dimensions and uses are still preliminary at this time. There are a number of considerations that may impact the exact location and characteristics of the facility, including: x Natural considerations. Theproposedsiteislocatedonanaturalfloodplain.Ithasbeen suggested by an architect that the building height will be two feet higher than previously drawn. The building has also been moved closer to the road and to the west of the flood plain area to stay further away from the designated flood plain limit. x Land base considerations. The Agriplex will be located on the ALR and will require ALR approval and certain planning aspects associated with the ALR. Currently there are tenants on the site who are renting the property and require proper notification for any site use. x Building considerations. Some of the proposed uses require bleachers that do not come with the pre-engineered building structure. One proposed solution is to build foldable bleachers which can be removed when not needed. Proper audio and lighting systems must be coordinated with the engineers and architects as they are important factors for any convention center. Space dividers should also be available to allow for multiple events at a time. x Infrastructure considerations. Site servicing needs to be connected to the site. In addition, proper traffic exits will be developed to support traffic flow. x Fiscal considerations. Building and financing of such a large facility will require support and agreement across many groups and involved parties. In addition, this project would require the CVRD to seek the consent of the public in order to borrow the capital funds required.

AGRIPLEX |BusinessCase 27 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 34 7. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

7.1 INDUSTRY BENCHMARKS The Agriplex is supported by the growth of the convention and trade show industry, which has experienced growth of 2.6 percent per year in Canada from 2010 to 2015. The relatively high growth rate was partly due to a recovery after the recession in 2008/09. From 2015 to 2020, the industry is forecasted to continue to grow at 1.1 percent per year, a slower rate than the post-recession recovery (Figure 11). The continued growth of the industry supports the need for additional convention and trade show facilities in Canada such as the Agriplex.

Figure 11: Historical and Forecasted Growth of the Convention and Trade Show Industry33

0.0% 0.5% 1.0% 1.5% 2.0% 2.5% 3.0%

Annual Growth from 2010 to 2015 2.6%

Annual Growth 2015 to 2020 1.1%

The demand for convention and trade show facilities is divided across the four main services provided by the industry: x Visitor information and sightseeing tour services x Convention planning and hosting services x Exposition planning and hosting services x Conference, reunion, and gala planning and hosting services

It is anticipated that the Agriplex will support the latter three services, in addition to others. As demonstrated in Figure 12, over two-thirds of all services provided by the industry are in these categories, suggesting the focus areas of the Agriplex are some of the most in-demand services from the convention and trade show industry in Canada.

33 IBISWorld, “Convention and Visitor Bureaus in Canada,” [NAICS 56159]. MNP has a subscription to this service.

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 28 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 35 Figure 12: Convention and Trade Show Services by Share of Industry34 Other services, Conference, 2.1% reunion and gala Visitor planning and information and hosting services, sightseeing tour 15.4% services, 30.7%

Exposition planning and hosting services, Convention 25.1% planning and hosting services, 26.7%

7.2 CONSTRUCTION COSTS AND FUNDING SOURCES The preliminary estimated construction budget for the Agriplex is $4.6 million for Phase 1, and $4.5 million for Phase 2. This estimate is provided by Thomas Dishlevoy Architecture Limited and includes the costs of the building, foundation, exterior apron, architectural components, and basic site works. Table 6 summarizes the construction budget.

Table 6: Preliminary Estimated Construction Budget Agriplex Preliminary Project Budget Value PHASE 1 Building $1.2 million Foundation and Exterior Apron $1.0 million Architectural Components (door and washroom pavilion) $0.6 million Basic Site Works $1.8 million Phase 1 Total $4.6 million PHASE 2 Other Architectural Pavilions (additional washrooms, kitchen, addition $4.5 million storage, and administration entrance) Phase 2 Total $4.5 million

The construction budget will be funded through a mixture of grants, donations, and in-kind contributions. Potential funding sources include: x Government of BC x Government of Canada x Comox Valley Regional District

34 IBISWorld, “Convention and Visitor Bureaus in Canada,” [NAICS 56159]. MNP has a subscription to this service.

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 29 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 36 x Corporate in-kind contributions x Community fundraising through individuals, corporations, foundations, and service clubs x Financial institutions

7.3 REVENUES AND EXPENSES BENCHMARKS A detailed budget for the Agriplex has not yet been developed. To help illustrate the potential financial position of the facility, two industry benchmarks are available.

The first benchmark is the share of expenses to total revenue. As shown in Figure 13, the convention and trade show industry in Canada has a profit margin of approximately 3.4 percent. The majority of costs are for purchases (e.g. direct costs) and for wages.

Figure 13: Expenses as a Share of Revenue in Canada35

Marketing, 6.0% Profit, 3.4%

Purchases, 37.7% Wages, 25.9% Other, 20.7%

Rent & Utilities, 4.1% Depreciation, 2.2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

In BC, the profit margin is slightly higher at 9.4 percent. As shown in Table 7, for convention and trade show facilities with revenues between $30,000 and $5,000,000, the average revenue is over $575,000 per year.

35 IBISWorld, “Convention and Visitor Bureaus in Canada,” [NAICS 56159]. MNP has a subscription to this service.

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 30 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 37 Table 7: Revenue and Expenses Benchmarks in British Columbia36 Expenses as a share of Revenue and Expenses Revenue Total revenue 100.0% Cost of sales (direct expenses) 44.5% Operating expenses (indirect expenses) 46.1% Labour and commissions 17.6% Amortization and depletion 1.4% Repairs and maintenance 0.7% Utilities and telecommunication 1.1% Rent 2.6% Interest and bank charges 0.1% Professional and business fees 5.0% Advertising and promotion 5.1% Delivery, shipping and warehouse expenses 0.0% Insurance 0.3% Other expenses 12.3% Total expenses 90.6% Net profit/loss 9.4%

8. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS While in the early stages of development, the initial plans for the Agriplex show a well-considered facility and thoughtful approach to the construction. Through the review of information provided by CVFI and its partners, MNP has compiled a list of considerations and recommendations for the further development of the project:

x Given different types of events that could potentially take place in the facility, as well as existing events in the area, the size of the building should be in the range of 55,000 - 60,000 SF. This size will accommodate large fairs and sports events. x An exhibition centre that is 56,000 SF is larger than most similar facilities, especially given the local population size. The facility will likely require a number of events from outside of the Comox Valley to take place in the Agriplex in order to support its operations. x The facility will likely be a loss leader and require support for its operating budget. In most cases these facilities are supported by local government in order to attract the economic and community impacts that are associated with them. x The preliminary construction estimate is over $9 million. It is likely that government and local fundraising support will be required to build the facility. x There are a number of considerations associated with the land the Agriplex will be built on, including its proximity to a flood plain as well as its ALR land status. Consequently, the facility will require a number of approvals that will need to be secured before construction takes place.

36 Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, “NAICS 56159 - Other Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services - Financial Performance Data,” [Businesses with $30,000 to $5,000,000 in revenue] available here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/pp-pp.nsf/eng/home

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 31 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 38 x It is typically consumer shows that are most supported by local attendees, and therefore would bethemostlikelyeventsfortheAgriplex.Inordertoattractout-of-townvisitorsandlarger conventions, it is likely the Agriplex would need to attract conventions, tradeshows, and conferences. These will have implications on the building design as each type of event requires different space layouts. x Detailed financial projections should be developed in order to understand the estimated revenues, operating costs, and any subsidies required. This information will also support the development of the Agriplex’s ownership and operations model. x The Agriplex will require sufficient acoustics, bleachers, soundproof systems, and space dividers in order to capitalize on the demand for flexible space as well as the ability to host multiple events at a time.

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 32 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 39 9. APPENDICES

APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY OF INTERVIEWS MNP interviewed two comparable exhibition centres in BC, TradeX and Vancouver Island Conference Centre. An interview with Cowichan Valley Exhibition Center is upcoming. The following is short summary of key information collected during the interviews. Interview with TradeX Contact person Bill Tavares (Managing director) and Craig Nichols (Executive Director) MCC Festival for World Relief, Canwest Horticulture Show (3,000 delegates), West Coast Women’s Show (400 booths), APNA Home Show, Trades Expo (2,050 delegates), Old Farmhouse Vintage Market, West Coast Christmas Market, Abbotsford Education & Career Fairs, Fraser Valley First Night 2017 (NY Events celebration), Vancouver Motorcycle Show (31, 873 attendance, showcase in other cities too), Pacific Agriculture Show (~250 booths), Pet Lover Show, BC Boat and Sportsmen (33,946 visitors over three days), Creative Stitches and Crafting, Provincial Volleyball Championship, Truxpo Pacific Heavy Equipment. Seasonality Summer is the slowest, including July and August Event days/year 120-125 days Event + Setup days 215 days Average size event Ranging from 30,000 SF to 120,000 SF The centre is owned by the City of Abbotsford and operated by the Tourism Ownership Abbotsford. 14 full time and there is a pool of 200 part time employees (depending on the Staffing size of the event) Market focus Consumer shows. They only have 2-3 big trade expositions throughout the year. Parking Half of the shows use overflow parking. Total parking 1,200 slots. Monthly $200,000 per month operational costs

Interview with the Vancouver Island Conference Center Contact person Denise Tacon (Executive Manager) Mosaicon Gaming Convention, City of Nanaimo - City Council Meeting, Coastal Community Credit Union, Women's Advantage Forum, University of British Columbia - Real Estate Division, CPA Western School of Business, RBC Royal Events Bank, Vancouver Island University – Convocation, Harbourview Autohaus Christmas Party, Vancouver Island Regional Library Board, BC Ferry Services Inc., Island Health. July and August are the slowest months. Busiest season graphic follows the Seasonality school season. Owned by the City of Nanaimo. Operated by the Coast VICC Management Ownership Company Limited. Staffing 15-20 full-time employees, 5-8 part time, and 30-50 casual. Economic impact $7 million for the year 2015 and $45 million since its establishment. Visitors/year 41,741 (10% involve international)

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 33 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 40 Spending per $315 on average visitor Rental rates 5 hours – $3,100; 12 hours – $3,650; 24 hours – $5,000 (ballroom) Planning on No. First, need to expand hotel/accommodation capacity. expansion

Interview with the Cowichan Valley Exhibition Center Contact person Shari Paterson (Executive Director) Date September 15, 2016 Events 12 major events per year with up to 1,500 people. Approximately 4 times a week they hold minor events and weddings Barn Barn is used on average six times a year. It is used as storage space 7 months/year Seasonality Slowest time is January. Busiest – September, because of the Cowichan Exhibition Fair Operations The center is currently operated at capacity with all the hotels booked to the fullest during the events. Not planning on expanding because they are constrained by the accommodation capacity such as bed and breakfast and hotels. They cannot build a hotel on the Exhibition grounds as it is ALR land. Management Not affiliated with the municipality. It is run by a no-profit organization with the board of directors and members who pay for membership. Staff 99 percent of the facility’s staff is volunteer-based. Visitors Mostly local Profitability The facility is currently operated at a profit largely due to the fact that almost all their staff are volunteers.

AGRIPLEX | Business Case 34 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 41

RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 42 TOWN OF COMOX Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting, held in Council Chambers on Wednesday November 2, 2016

Present: Mayor P. Ives

Councillors R. Arnott, K. Grant, M. Grant H. MacKinnon, B. Price, M. Swift

Absent: Nil

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. The Agenda was Adopted. There were 6 visitors in attendance.

1. DELEGATIONS: a. Harry Panjer, Jody Macdonald, Lindsay McGinn (Comox Valley Vital Signs) Comox Valley Vital Signs Report Comox Valley Vital Signs Report Mr. Panjer, Ms. Macdonald and Ms. McGinn reviewed the Comox Valley Vital Signs project and identified how to use the data and the book. They presented some of the results of the project thought to be of interest to Council. b. Bill Toews - Development Permit Application DP 16-12 (145 and 147 Manor Place) 145/147 Manor Place Mr. Toews advised that he had hired some professionals to trim some of the garry oak trees on both his and his neighbour's properties. He stated that he was not aware that they are a protected species, and advised that the mitigation measures taken should enhance the area. 2. MINUTES OF MEETINGS: a. Regular Council Meeting Minutes RCM Minutes That the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council, held in Council Chambers on Wednesday October 19, 2016, be Approved. (2016.252) -- CARRIED 3. COMMITTEE REPORTS: NIL

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: a. Management Report - November 2, 2016 Management Report That the November 2, 2016 Management Report be received and filed for information. (2016.253) -- CARRIED

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2016 Approval Pending Page 1 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 43 TOWN OF COMOX - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

5. SPECIAL REPORTS: a. Comox Valley Regional District Meeting Minutes CVRD Meeting Minutes That the following Comox Valley Regional District meeting minutes be received for information: - Comox Valley Regional District Board (Comox Strathcona Waste Management) Board held on Thursday October 13, 2016; - Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District Board held on Thursday October 13, 2016. (2016.254) -- CARRIED 6. BYLAWS: NIL

7. NEW BUSINESS: a. Development Permit Application DP 16-12 (145 and 147 Manor Place) 145/147 Manor Place That Development Permit DP 16-12 be issued upon resolution of the Outstanding Items and subject to the Development Permit Conditions listed in Schedule 1 to the November 2, 2016 Planning Report on DP 16-12. (2016.255) -- CARRIED [Opposed: Councillor MGrant] 8. CORRESPONDENCE: NIL

9. LATE ITEMS: NIL

10. DELEGATIONS: NIL

11. REPORTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL: a. Councillor Price Councillor Price advised that she: - toured the sewage treatment plant, and the Courtenay and Jane Place pump stations; - talked with the facilitator for the upcoming strategic planning session; - attended the CVRD board meeting; - attended a presentation on procurement and legal issues; - participated in an accessibility meeting with the Municipal Engineer and Karin Kratz; - attended the official opening of the basketball court at Gaglardi Academy; and - attended a Comox Archives and Museum Society meeting. b. Councillor Swift Councillor Swift mentioned that she: - attended a regular meeting of the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park Association, - attended the Vancouver Island Economic Summit, and - attended the sewer commission meeting and tour. c. Councillor Arnott Councillor Arnott advised that he participated in the Underwater Pumpkin Carving Contest. d. Councillor MacKinnon Councillor MacKinnon advised that he: - attended a Social Planning Council meeting, - attended the Pearl Ellis Gallery reception, - attended the open house for 618/634 Anderton Rd, - attended the workshop on procurement, - had a conversation with the facilitator for the upcoming strategic planning session, - attended the BIA Halloween event, and - attended a Homelessness Coalition meeting.

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2016 Approval Pending Page 2 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 44 TOWN OF COMOX - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

e. Councillor Marg Grant Councillor Grant advised that she: - attended the session on procurement, - attended the Vancouver Island Economic Summit, - participated in the accessibility meeting, and - talked with the facilitator for the upcoming strategic planning session. f. Councillor Ken Grant Councillor Grant advised that he: - attended the sewer commission tour, - attended the session on procurement, - attended the CVRD board meeting, - attended an in-camera CVRD meeting, and - attended a risk assessment meeting for the Willemar Bluff sewer line. g. Mayor Ives Mayor Ives advised that he: - attended the Vancouver Island Economic Summit, - participated in the Legion Kickoff Poppy Campaign, - attended the session on procurement, - attended a board of directors' lunch at North Island College, - attended the Island Coastal Economic Trust and the North Island-Sunshine Coast regional advisory committee meetings, and - attended an advisory committee meeting for MMBC. 14. EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC: NIL

Adjournment:

Regularly moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 6:24 p.m. CARRIED Certified correct pursuant to Section 97(1)(b) of the Community Charter.

MAYOR

CORPORATE OFFICER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2, 2016 Approval Pending Page 3 RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 45

RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 46 Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting, held in Council Chambers on Wednesday November 9, 2016

Present: Mayor P. Ives

Councillors R. Arnott, K. Grant, M. Grant H. MacKinnon, B. Price, M. Swift

Absent: Nil

Call to Order:

The meeting was called to order at 4:15 p.m. The Agenda was Adopted as amended to include one late item.

1. Delegations: a. Frank Denton (Comox Bay Sailing Club) - Additional space

Mr. Denton described the Club and mentioned that the focus has changed more recently to be more about teaching. He stated that the Club enhances the quality of life in the Comox Valley and that it brings in economic activity, with the Dingy Regatta and Van Isle 360. Mr. Denton advised that the Club is looking for more space at the Marina, and is willing to pay the going rate.

b. Geoff Crawford (Comox Valley Economic Development Society) - 2016 Strategic Priorities Update

Mr. Crawford provided an update on the Comox Valley Economic Development Society's 2016 strategic priorities.

c. Sue Wood and John Mang - 2016 Nautical Days Festival

Ms. Wood provided a summary of the 2016 Nautical Days events. She summarized the numbers for performers, crafters and attendees and advised that she believes the numbers are up. She also advised that a vast majority of the performers, crafters and suppliers were local.

2. Minutes of Meetings: NIL

3. Department Reports: NIL

4. Staff Reports: a. Third Quarter (September 30th) Financial Statement Report

The Third Quarter (September 30th) 2016 Financial Statement Report was received for information.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2016 Page 1 Approval Pending RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 47 b. Comox Fire Protection Improvement District - Renewal of Agreement

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: That the agreement with the Comox Fire Protection Improvement District for fire protection and other public safety services, as included in the November 9, 2016 Committee of the Whole meeting agenda, be renewed for a five-year term from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021. CARRIED

5. Correspondence: NIL

6. Late Item: a. Transfer in Ownership of Dragon Boat

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. That ownership of the Town's 616 dragon boat be transferred to the Comox Valley Dragon Boat Society, and that space for moorage be provided at no cost for a period of 1 year ending November 9, 2017. CARRIED

2. That the provision of longer term moorage at no cost for the Comox Valley Dragon Boat Society be considered as part of an overall Marina strategy regarding community interests. CARRIED

7. Exclude the Public: a. Exclude the Public

That the Public be Excluded from the Special In-Camera Meeting of Council on Wednesday November 9, 2016, pursuant to the following sub-sections of section 90 of the Community Charter:

(b) personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for a municipal award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the municipality on condition of anonymity; and

(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality. CARRIED

Adjournment:

Regularly moved and seconded that the meeting adjourn at 4:50 p.m. CARRIED Certified correct pursuant to Section 97(1)(b) of the Community Charter.

CHAIR

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING OF WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2016 Page 2 Approval Pending RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 48

TOWN OF COMOX MANAGEMENT REPORT November 16, 2016

Item DATE SUBJECT COUNCIL DIRECTION STATUS

1. Mar 7, 2007 Organic Waste Collection Investigate the provision of an Pilot project has been extended until the Service Organic Waste Collection end of 2018 Service in Comox-Courtenay Organics collection rose 17.5% during the first half of 2016 compared to 2015. This is mainly due to the extremely dry weather in 2015 and much wetter 2016, affecting the amount of yard waste produced.

As per Council’s Strategic Plan, staff will be looking at the feasibility of increasing organics collection by reducing the frequency of garbage collection this year.

2. October 2, 2013 Marina Boardwalk Prepare a conceptual plan for Project construction underway. Building Development new community and commercial Permit issued. Walkways in park have space along boardwalk area been installed.

3. August 20, 2014 Fixed Wing Search and Investigate the feasibility of Grant-in-aid provided to 19 Wing Comox as Rescue Training Facility financial and other incentives an incentive to develop a training facility at that would support the selection CFB Comox. of 19 Wing Comox.

Note: Shaded items will be removed from the Management Report unless otherwise directed by Council.

RCM Agenda November 16, 2016 Page 49

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