The majority of Electoral Area C residents oppose creating a new service that would financially contribute to recreation and culture services in Cranbrook, according to a recent survey.
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) released results from two surveys conducted between Jan. 12 and Feb. 9, 2026 — one online and one mailed to 1,500 randomly selected residents.
The survey follows Cranbrook’s 2024 recreation and culture service review, which recommended seeking financial support from Area C to help ensure long-term sustainability.
When asked if they would support establishing a new service requiring an annual contribution, 71 per cent of open survey respondents said no, compared with 68 per cent in the mail survey.
Support sat at 29 per cent and 32 per cent respectively.
RDEK Electoral Area C Director Rob Gay said hearing directly from residents was critical and thanked participants for their feedback.
Among those who supported a contribution, preferred funding levels varied.
The most selected option in the open survey was $500,000, while mail respondents most commonly chose $100,000.
No decision has been made on whether the proposed service will proceed.
The RDEK says the survey results will be brought to the RDEK Board of Directors meeting on March 13, 2026
The full summary can be viewed on the project page at engage.rdek.bc.ca/areacsurvey.
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