Update: a spokesperson for the Township said the increase was because the society was incorrectly classified as a non-profit, when it should have been listed as a commercial client. The spokesperson said the municipality notified the society of the issue when it took back control of the rec centre from a private contractor in 2016. To soften the financial impact, the spokesperson said the municipality charged the society under the “private” category which is less than the commercial rate.
The Fraser Valley Dahlia Society held their final Dahlia Show at the George Preston Recreation Centre in Langley this weekend.
“It’s our last show,” society president Doug Youngson told the Times.
“We’re going to move to Abbotsford (next year).”
Youngson said the move was because the facility rental fees for the Township-operated George Preston have doubled.
When he went in to rent three rooms and the kitchen at the centre, he said he was told the cost would be just over $3,000, or about double the $1,500 the society had paid for the same layout the previous year.
“I was not aware of the increase until I was standing there, looking at the contract,” Youngson said.
“We’re not a registered non-profit, but we are non-profit. We couldn’t afford it.”
The show was scaled back to two rooms and no kitchen for $1,600 Youngson said.
He said no reason was given for the increase.
The show is looking at renting space in a seniors residence in Abbotsford for $1,300 next year, Youngson said.
The Times has reached out to the Township for an explanation.
The annual Dahlia show wrapped up Sunday afternoon.
It was a two-day weekend event that featured more than 1,000 examples of the flowers, known for heir bright colour and widely varying sizes and shapes.
Growers from Washington State, Victoria and other parts of B.C. attended.