UPDATE: Cadets form coalition

The local branch of the Navy League of Canada (NLC) has joined with several other cadet units, organizations and politicians to explore ways to save a training facility in Green Timbers park.

During a meeting Tuesday night, the NLC banded together with its sea and army counterparts to form the Surrey Cadet Coalition.

The group plans to lobby the province to allow all local cadet leagues to move onto the 5.8-acre property, sharing costs with the Navy League and helping to ensure they don't lose the training centre.

The building the NLC currently rents sits on Crown land. The group's temporary permit expires in August.

Under conditions of the new permit, the province has asked the NLC to pay for the operating costs of the building as well as property taxes.

The permit will be on a month-to-month basis, however, making the NLC’s long-term security on the site uncertain.

Previously, utility costs were shared with the tenants of the other two buildings on the site.

Those tenants have since moved out and the province plans to cap services to the remaining buildings.

Eventually, it is likely all three of the aging structures will be torn down as part of a Green Timbers redevelopment project.

Lt. Robert Newing, commanding officer of the Surrey - White Rock Navy League corps, is worried the NLC's rent could more than double under the new arrangement.

But having the other cadet leagues move into the vacant buildings could help defray those costs and help maintain a valuable training site.

The Surrey Cadet Coalition hopes to meet soon with B.C. Minister of Lands Stan Hagen to make their case.

A host of other local groups have lent their support, including the Green Timbers Heritage Society, several area legions, NDP MLAs and representatives from the City of Surrey and Surrey-North MP Penny Priddy's office.

rstarr@surreyleader.com