On Tuesday, March 11th, the Norfolk County Council was scheduled to consider a Draft Master Recreation Plan that could significantly impact our communities’ future recreation facilities, programs, and services.
The bold report proposes several changes to improve our parks and recreation spaces to benefit our current residents and attract newcomers to Norfolk County. However, as members of the Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® who live and work here, we are deeply concerned about the proposed funding mechanisms, particularly those that could place additional financial burdens on homeowners and potential homebuyers.
One of the most talked-about proposals is decommissioning and repurposing local arenas (Talbot, Langton, Port Dover, and Waterford) to make way for a new quad facility in a central location. Other investments include up- dating tennis courts, constructing pickleball courts, adding outdoor fitness options in parks, building gravel cycling pathways, and creating new soccer fields.
While many of these investments could enhance the quality of life in our local communities, the question of how to fund them is critical. As the report outlines, potential funding sources include property tax increases, new development charges, a county-wide recreation surcharge, a new 2% housing tax on all new homes, or an additional recreation tax on top of the standard land transfer tax.
The Cornerstone Association of REALTORS® is aware of the affordability challenges many residents and businesses face in Norfolk County. Adding new taxes and fees, particularly on new homes and homeowners, risks further exacerbating these challenges. The cost of living is already high for many families, and these additional burdens could push the dream of homeownership further out of reach for those trying to enter the housing market. New housing taxes would likely have the unintended consequence of stalling housing development and reducing the supply of homes at a time when housing shortages are already a concern.
Instead of relying on new taxes and fees to fund the plan, there are other ways to fund the recreational upgrades that could help keep Norfolk County affordable. Rather than taxing homeowners and increasing the cost of new housing, we encourage the County to focus on fundraising and public-private partnerships, provincial and federal grants, reasonable user fees, tapping into tourism revenue, and phasing in the plan at a speed that aligns with current budgetary resources.
Ultimately, while we support improving recreational amenities and services in Norfolk County, we must fund projects that minimize financial strain on homeowners and hopeful homeowners alike. In a time when housing affordability is already a significant issue, increasing taxes and fees should not be the solution. Instead, a more balanced approach involving creative funding strategies will ensure that Norfolk County remains a vibrant and affordable place to live, work, and play for years to come.
