I agree 8:59PM....... what happened to the tax exemtion of everyone's favorite local Botanical Public Service Operation / Ecology Hostel / Commercial Restaurant / Cafe ? Has it been, finally, given up by the owners? If so, how much property tax is paid, annually, on that 15 acres of waterfront?
I would suspect that the owners know that they are running a commercial business and do not want to have questions raised by begging in public for tax funding.
The lodge has 10 rooms, but add to this a large party of schoolchildren sleeping on mattresses in one room and the occupancy must be at least doubled. Would have been good to know this before we booked. One of the two showers was out of order so there was a very long queue. By the time we came down to breakfast the schoolchildren had eaten almost everything! If we had been paying hostel prices we would not have minded so much, but this is the most expensive and least comfortable place we stayed our entire holiday. Not value for money.
눇 Location of property on the edge of botanic gardens. Friendly staff.
he rooms don't have their own toilets/bathrooms, so during the night you might have to put on the provided terry towel dressing gowns and visit the toilets for women on the 2nd floor or the men's on the first floor. The very clean shower facilities are also in these shared washrooms. It wasn't a big deal for us, but it might be for some folks.
눇 The lodge is a couple of miles out of the town of Tofino in a quiet spot next to a whimsical botanical garden. The staff is very helpful, even helping me to find a nearby bar/restaurant with a TV screen so my husband wouldn't have to miss his Blue Jays ballgames (there are no TV's at the lodge). The breakfast is help yourself to delicious homemade muffins, or toast & jam, cold cereals or hot oatmeal with a variety of toppings, coffee, teas. You can buy your own groceries and keep them in the communal fridge. Perfect for families. And you get to meet a lot of travelers at the long wooden tables in the dining/rec room. The Ecolodge is very conveniently located to drive to Pacific Rim National Park and walk the wonderful trails. Don't forget to visit the botanical gardens right next door to the lodge. P.S. They love Darwin here - his likeness is everywhere and instead of Gideons Bible you'll find copies of "Origin of the Species" - different.
This tax exemption goes back a ways before the dates given by 9:26. There has been a lot more money in lost taxes to the community in this debacle than shown. The suggestion( or is this fact) that the TBG Foundation did not apply this year seems to me like a "mia culpa". What has functionally changed there. Nothing that I am aware of, so what is the rationale for not continuing to apply for the exemption other than it was inappropriate from the beginning as many Tofitians have suggested for years, and perhaps things have somehow finally caught up to them. But council of the day knew better.
What a disgrace.
What a legacy for councillors Web, Tilitsky, Strudwick, Shaw...Who allowed their personal prejudices to interfere with council business. Who advanced the idea of this tax exemption inspite of significant opposition at the time....The same group of pea brained lefty zealots who decided to allow Vacation rental in all secondary suites and cottages, again, inspite of significant opposition at the time
On this last matter, zoning requirements on those properties were changed forever. There is no ability to claw that back, to close the barn door now, those horses, like the TBG Foundation moneys are not coming back....
Be careful who you vote for. It does make a difference
Well at least we should be able to look forward to shutting down the short term rentals of places which are not zoned for it, the shore, south Chesterman etc and all the ones without a caretaker living on site. If they don't do that it will be time for the old timers to give up and leave this town which no longer has any heart and soul left in it, everyone being a tourist. Tourism Tofino has successfully destroyed this town. Why are they still advertising this place? We are filled to over capacity.
I am less inclined to blame Tourism Tofino than Tofino Councils for inept, irresponsible handling of the towns affairs. They make the rules, change them, and then decide they are not going to enforce them. I realize Council may currently be planning to address this situation, but it was allowed to fester unabated for years.
I guess the many citizens who saw this problem, and expressed themselves, like the "Watergate" issue, that councils were not doing the job, should have just sat down and remained silent. And it is not the oldtimers who are worse affected, The community is being destroyed from the bottom up. It is newcomers, trying to find a place to rent, trying to raise a baby while living in a tent or parked bus for the summer. They will give up and leave, move to Ukee, whatever. They will never become part of the community. The community is diminished not so much by the influx of tourists, but more so by the itinerant nature of the work force who like the tourist are just visiting.
Web Tilisky Strudwick, Shaw,.... The fix was in.... Four Lefty Mobsters leading great revolution to "Palookaville". They threw the fight and never even new it.... Tofino could have been somethin' We could a bin somethin' special... Instead of a lousy stinkin' tourist trap town.
From Tourism Tofino: Get to know Tofino on a whole new level. The Ecolodge at Tofino Botanical Gardens is a 10 room bed & breakfast lodge, located in a whimsical and inspirational 12 acre rainforest garden. The Ecolodge was designed for the conscientious traveller looking for quiet, clean, affordable accommodation in Tofino, with a focus on groups, retreats, family reunions and education and learning opportunities. The Ecolodge features a large common kitchen (where you are provided with breakfast every morning), dining room and lounge, and cozy fireplace. Instead of TVs and telephones in rooms, the Ecolodge has a library well stocked with books about gardening, science, the local environment and history, Charles Darwin, as well as a handful of novels and childrens books! Most rooms have shared washrooms, with two 'family suites' featuring private washrooms. Rooms have a queen bed, two single beds, or four bunk beds, as well as storage space and a work desk. Linens, towels and robes are provided. Classroom facilities are also available to Ecolodge guests and other Tofino visitors for meetings, presentations, yoga classes and more. An outdoor firepit provides the opportunity for evening story telling and marshmallow roasting. All guests are encouraged to roam the 12 acre waterfront gardens, exploring the natural and cultural histories of Clayoquot Sound and take part in our educational offerings. Owned and operated by George Patterson and Josie Osborne and staffed with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, the Ecolodge provides a warm, convivial and welcoming base for your exploration of the people and places of Tofino and Clayoquot Sound. Lodging Amenities: Restaurant Kitchen/ette Fireplace Pets by Arrangement Breakfast included Forest setting Meeting facilities Wheelchair access Wi-fi
Looks like a significant omission from the tax exemption list.
ReplyDeleteI agree 8:59PM....... what happened to the tax exemtion of everyone's favorite local Botanical Public Service Operation / Ecology Hostel / Commercial Restaurant / Cafe ? Has it been, finally, given up by the owners? If so, how much property tax is paid, annually, on that 15 acres of waterfront?
ReplyDeleteTofino version of the Clinton Foundation? Scammers
ReplyDeleteIs the District of Tofino undergoing a forensic audit ? I hope so
ReplyDeleteAnd the truth shall set them free. To much heat to keep up the faux walls of a non profit. Simply pay your fair share like the rest of us serfs.
ReplyDeletevalues of tax exemption for Tofino Botanical Gardens
ReplyDelete2914 $11,065
2013 $12,668
2012 $12,556
2011 $11,137
In 2016 no application was made for a tax exemption.Why ?
I would suspect that the owners know that they are running a commercial business and do not want to have questions raised by begging in public for tax funding.
ReplyDeleteThe lodge has 10 rooms, but add to this a large party of schoolchildren sleeping on mattresses in one room and the occupancy must be at least doubled. Would have been good to know this before we booked. One of the two showers was out of order so there was a very long queue. By the time we came down to breakfast the schoolchildren had eaten almost everything! If we had been paying hostel prices we would not have minded so much, but this is the most expensive and least comfortable place we stayed our entire holiday. Not value for money.
ReplyDelete눇
Location of property on the edge of botanic gardens. Friendly staff.
he rooms don't have their own toilets/bathrooms, so during the night you might have to put on the provided terry towel dressing gowns and visit the toilets for women on the 2nd floor or the men's on the first floor. The very clean shower facilities are also in these shared washrooms. It wasn't a big deal for us, but it might be for some folks.
ReplyDelete눇
The lodge is a couple of miles out of the town of Tofino in a quiet spot next to a whimsical botanical garden. The staff is very helpful, even helping me to find a nearby bar/restaurant with a TV screen so my husband wouldn't have to miss his Blue Jays ballgames (there are no TV's at the lodge). The breakfast is help yourself to delicious homemade muffins, or toast & jam, cold cereals or hot oatmeal with a variety of toppings, coffee, teas. You can buy your own groceries and keep them in the communal fridge. Perfect for families. And you get to meet a lot of travelers at the long wooden tables in the dining/rec room. The Ecolodge is very conveniently located to drive to Pacific Rim National Park and walk the wonderful trails. Don't forget to visit the botanical gardens right next door to the lodge. P.S. They love Darwin here - his likeness is everywhere and instead of Gideons Bible you'll find copies of "Origin of the Species" - different.
I couldn't print your comment the way is was phrased.I am looking into it
ReplyDeleteThis tax exemption goes back a ways before the dates given by 9:26. There has been a lot more money in lost taxes to the community in this debacle than shown. The suggestion( or is this fact) that the TBG Foundation did not apply this year seems to me like a "mia culpa". What has functionally changed there. Nothing that I am aware of, so what is the rationale for not continuing to apply for the exemption other than it was inappropriate from the beginning as many Tofitians have suggested for years, and perhaps things have somehow finally caught up to them. But council of the day knew better.
ReplyDeleteWhat a disgrace.
What a legacy for councillors Web, Tilitsky, Strudwick, Shaw...Who allowed their personal prejudices to interfere with council business. Who advanced the idea of this tax exemption inspite of significant opposition at the time....The same group of pea brained lefty zealots who decided to allow Vacation rental in all secondary suites and cottages, again, inspite of significant opposition at the time
On this last matter, zoning requirements on those properties were changed forever. There is no ability to claw that back, to close the barn door now, those horses, like the TBG Foundation moneys are not coming back....
Be careful who you vote for. It does make a difference
Well at least we should be able to look forward to shutting down the short term rentals of places which are not zoned for it, the shore, south Chesterman etc and all the ones without a caretaker living on site. If they don't do that it will be time for the old timers to give up and leave this town which no longer has any heart and soul left in it, everyone being a tourist. Tourism Tofino has successfully destroyed this town. Why are they still advertising this place? We are filled to over capacity.
ReplyDeleteI am less inclined to blame Tourism Tofino than Tofino Councils for inept, irresponsible handling of the towns affairs. They make the rules, change them, and then decide they are not going to enforce them. I realize Council may currently be planning to address this situation, but it was allowed to fester unabated for years.
ReplyDeleteI guess the many citizens who saw this problem, and expressed themselves, like the "Watergate" issue, that councils were not doing the job, should have just sat down and remained silent. And it is not the oldtimers who are worse affected, The community is being destroyed from the bottom up. It is newcomers, trying to find a place to rent, trying to raise a baby while living in a tent or parked bus for the summer. They will give up and leave, move to Ukee, whatever. They will never become part of the community. The community is diminished not so much by the influx of tourists, but more so by the itinerant nature of the work force who like the tourist are just visiting.
Web Tilisky Strudwick, Shaw,.... The fix was in.... Four Lefty Mobsters leading great revolution to "Palookaville". They threw the fight and never even new it.... Tofino could have been somethin' We could a bin somethin' special... Instead of a lousy stinkin' tourist trap town.
ReplyDeleteFrom Tourism Tofino:
ReplyDeleteGet to know Tofino on a whole new level. The Ecolodge at Tofino Botanical Gardens is a 10 room bed & breakfast lodge, located in a whimsical and inspirational 12 acre rainforest garden. The Ecolodge was designed for the conscientious traveller looking for quiet, clean, affordable accommodation in Tofino, with a focus on groups, retreats, family reunions and education and learning opportunities. The Ecolodge features a large common kitchen (where you are provided with breakfast every morning), dining room and lounge, and cozy fireplace. Instead of TVs and telephones in rooms, the Ecolodge has a library well stocked with books about gardening, science, the local environment and history, Charles Darwin, as well as a handful of novels and childrens books! Most rooms have shared washrooms, with two 'family suites' featuring private washrooms. Rooms have a queen bed, two single beds, or four bunk beds, as well as storage space and a work desk. Linens, towels and robes are provided. Classroom facilities are also available to Ecolodge guests and other Tofino visitors for meetings, presentations, yoga classes and more. An outdoor firepit provides the opportunity for evening story telling and marshmallow roasting. All guests are encouraged to roam the 12 acre waterfront gardens, exploring the natural and cultural histories of Clayoquot Sound and take part in our educational offerings. Owned and operated by George Patterson and Josie Osborne and staffed with a knowledgeable and friendly staff, the Ecolodge provides a warm, convivial and welcoming base for your exploration of the people and places of Tofino and Clayoquot Sound.
Lodging Amenities:
Restaurant
Kitchen/ette
Fireplace
Pets by Arrangement
Breakfast included
Forest setting
Meeting facilities
Wheelchair access
Wi-fi