Highlands is one step closer to building its long-awaited community centre.

Council passed bylaws on July 18 allowing resident Fred York to gift 20-acres of land to the District in exchange for allowing him to subdivide his property.

York plans to divide two adjacent properties at the intersection of Millstream Road and Finlayson Arm Road into 11 lots, each between three and five acres. The 90 acres, including land for the community centre, is still subject to rezoning.

The land gifted to Highlands, which is the eastern portion of YorkB次元官网网址檚 property at Millstream and Finlayson Arm roads, is the favoured site for the future community centre.

The District needs to break ground soon B次元官网网址� a provincial grant for the building project expires in March 2013. The grant will cover 80 per cent of the cost of the centre or up to $400,000.

B次元官网网址淲e only have two or three letters on file in opposition,B次元官网网址� noted Coun. Sigurd Johannesen. B次元官网网址淚f I look at this (application) without a community centre I think I can support it, so by adding a community centre itB次元官网网址檚 just a bonus.B次元官网网址�

During the public hearing last week, council heard plenty of community support for the project.

Supporters spoke of the need for a community hall and the generosity of York offering the land to the community.

B次元官网网址淐ommunities are built on crossroads,B次元官网网址� Highlands resident Neville Grigg told council. B次元官网网址淭he plan makes sense.B次元官网网址�

Some residents are concerned over the construction of future homes and whether they would meet progressive environmental standards. The proposed single family dwellings are already B次元官网网址渙ver represented in the Highlands,B次元官网网址� remarked resident Pattie Whitehouse.

Former Highlands mayor Mark Cardinal spoke in support of the project.

B次元官网网址淚 wish in my time (on council) that we has an application that was this so easy to decide on as this application,B次元官网网址� Cardinal said. B次元官网网址淭his is something the community has long deserved.B次元官网网址�