Eleven came to this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Local Community Commissioner (LCC) Ben Corno (bcorno@crd.bc.ca). After he offered his Acknowledgement, noting that our governance decisions should be viewed through the lens of reconciliation, each of us had a chance to introduce ourselves. The group brought a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to this conversation, some having lived here for decades (one for over 50 years) with another only recently arrived. 

When asked what “excites and delights” him, Ben spoke briefly of his joy that he had just planted their Elephant Garlic, noting that he finds it more challenging to prioritize the garden now that it is a hobby rather than his livelihood. He was pleased that he had taken the time needed to start the growing cycle of this wonderful garlic. 

Ben is one of five Local Community Commissioners. He is joined by Brian Webster (bwebster@crd.bc.ca), Chair Earl Rook (erook@crd.bc.ca), Gayle Baker (gbaker@crd.bc.ca), and Gary Holman (dirssi@crd.bc.ca), also our Electoral Director. In addition to this role as one of our Local Commissioners, Ben works as a server at Dagwoods, is the Fritz Theatre projectionist, and has landscaping clients. To add to these already full days, he is enrolled in university earning his teaching degree as well as taking a leadership role in our disk golf organization. Little wonder the Elephant Garlic had to wait some time to be planted!

Despite his extremely busy life, Ben consistently approaches issues with curiosity, mentioning later in our time together that most of the challenges faced by the LCC were like enormous, complex puzzles with no simple solutions. Recognizing that finding answers is almost always tough, if not impossible, he mused about the challenge of doing what’s best for the most people while also taking seriously the interests and advice of the various user groups who liaise with the LCC.

Despite these challenges, Ben approaches these puzzle-like issues with curiosity. . . and it was with this curiosity that we dipped our toes into that very complex puzzle: What will our community do with the Ganges Firehall when the fire folks have moved to their  new building, expected sometime in 2026? 

While this is an unanswered question, a few things have been determined:

• The community will gain possession of the Ganges Firehall when it is vacated. 
• The Ganges Firehall cost $1. . . .but $1 million of Community Works (https://www.crd.ca/your-community/community-funding/community-works-fund)funding, administered by Electoral Director Gary Holman, was given to offset taxpayer costs for the new firehall.  
• This building will fall under the authority of the LCC of the CRD. 
• An architect has been hired to evaluate the building, presumably guiding the LCC to determine costs required were it to accommodate community uses. (This evaluation is expected in February 2026.) 
• With the information from his architect’s report, it is anticipated that a community engagement process will begin soon after February 2026.
• While there are many assumptions and aspirations, there has been no decision about the future use of this site.   

Concerning the building, opinions in the room were widely varied:

• Some spoke with passion about the necessity of keeping the entire building intact as an important Ganges landmark. 
• Others theorized that the newer truck bays and training room should be saved while the older, more vulnerable sections, could be leveled. 
• Some suggested we look to the open air pavilion in Port Angeles as an inexpensive, welcoming use of the Ganges firehall property 
• Others reminded us about the value of the land, adamant that the adjacent land – currently owned by the Ministry or Transportation and Transit and used for parking – be acquired to build a multi-storey structure spanning the entire property. 

Wildly different opinions, one sentiment was echoed by most: Whatever configuration of structures selected, this property must serve as the welcoming centre of our village. Whatever its use – year-round farmers market, museum, community centre, or commercial space with housing above – this property must become the welcoming heartbeat of our village. 

And, keep the clock! While most wanted to keep the clock tower, all seemed to agree that at least the clock must become a part of any building on this lot. Most seemed to agree that, even if the building could not be saved cost effectively, any structure must give a nod to the old firehall and its historical significance to Salt Spring. 

The need for a plan resonated through our small gathering. Some were frustrated that the plan had not been created before the architect’s report, feeling strongly that the planned use of the site should drive any possible renovation decisions. Others thought it was wise to learn as much about possible building renovation costs before creating this plan. 

All agreed, though, that this planning must begin immediately and by February 2026 at the latest when the architect’s report is expected to be presented to the LCC. They agreed, also, that the worst possible scenario would be for the Ganges Firehall to sit vacant and unused for months – and even years – while decisions were being made.

While there was no consensus about future use of the building, most in the room believed that it should not be managed and operated by CRD. Tasking CRD staff with this large extra project in addition to their rapidly-expanding array of services and facilities did not seem to be a workable option from both a capacity perspective as well as cost considerations. 

Most seemed to assume that, once its purpose had been determined, an appropriate nonprofit would step forward to bid to take over its operation.The flaw in this plan to some was that, in this scenario, while a nonprofit may be able to manage day-to-day operations on a revenue-neutral basis, it is unlikely that a nonprofit would have the funds to pay for the renovation, construction, and ongoing facility costs. In this nonprofit scenario, it was assumed that those costs would fall to the LCC – and – ultimately you, our taxpayers, a sentiment that was not embraced in this gathering.

One individual who has spent years thinking about the opportunities presented by this site had a very different proposal: He was adamant that a corporation owned by Salt Spring shareholders should be formed to purchase this site and determine its best use. An intriguing thought, participants encouraged this individual to have a more formal proposal ready to present as community engagement about this site begins. 

Did this gathering come up with answers. . .not really. But, it was clear that participants were very interested in the formal beginning of this conversation, committed to offer their ideas as soon as asked, and clearly interested in the outcome of this important conversation. 

Our gathering over for this week, we realized that our entire time together had been taken by the interesting – and about to heat up – Ganges Firehall conversation. We did not get to learn about any of the multitudes of issues Ben and other Local Commissioners struggle with at each of their twice monthly meetings. (Please come watch these discussions in the SIMS Boardroom, the second Thursday of the month beginning at 5:00 pm and the third Thursday of the month beginning at 9:00 am – with some disruptions over the holidays.) We did, however, get to watch Ben in action, appreciative of his enduring and endearing curiosity as he began to disentangle this fascinating puzzle: “What will we decide to do with the Ganges Firehall site?” (Thanks, Ben!) 

Just in case you are interested. . . .This report has been written by Gayle Baker, founder of ASK Salt Spring, currently also a Salt Spring Local Community Commissioner. It has been reviewed and edited by Ben.