Government Competes With Industry

...again and again.

Armstrong's Peter Nenasheff, who own Fitness2Life on PV Road in Armstrong is upset that government is competing with his business -- and with his own money.

"I'm a taxpayer so, essentially, they've taken my taxes,

bought equipment, installed it

 and say now you have to compete with us."  Nenasheff

The City of Armstrong has partnered with Spallumcheen Township and runs Lending Max Fitness Centre in Hassen Arena through Canlan Ice Sports Ltd., which is a joint function of the two governments.

According to the Morning Star, January 10, 2016, "the Hassen fitness facility has about $24,000 in used gym equipment -- confirmed by parks and recreation general manager Byron Sayer -- and operates out of the top of the renovated arena."

That's certainly not new, Peter.

• Look at the RDNO-run recreation centre complex in Vernon, whose gym competes with several privately-owned gyms in Vernon.  Indeed their pool--in summer--competes with a commercial waterslide.

• Look at the former Lakers Golf Course clubhouse in Vernon, which is rented out for functions such as meetings and weddings.

• Look at Coldstream's Women's Institute--bought by the District of Coldstream--which is rented out for functions such as meetings and weddings.

• Look at the RDNO plans for the new park above the former garbage dump on the west face of Vernon Hill...that'll be turned into a park complete with (free) disc golf equipment.

...and there are more.

Peter's point?  "I'm a taxpayer so, essentially, they've taken my taxes, bought equipment, installed it and say now you have to compete with us."

Yup.

That's what government does.
They take your commercially-zoned tax money.

Previously your tax dollars funded government services, which ran the gamut from maintenance of pavement/sidewalks, water/sewer/garbage, safety/policing, fire protection, and public greenspaces.

Now?
Now they take your commercially-zoned tax money -- still charged at a higher mill rate than residential -- and fund non-essential bicycle paths, solar panels on municipal roofs, culture, art, and libraries, purchase of heritage buildings which are then converted and renovated to be rented out, competing with existing--and private--commercially-zoned facilities.

"And being government, there are no qualms about operating in the red...how can industry compete with that?" asks Kia.

Bureaucrats have never so much as run a popcorn stand on the beach.
They'll be in the red for sure.

And, eventually, so will Peter thanks to his government.