The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) unveiled its draft parks and recreation master plan to the public this week, hosting a total of three open houses on Monday and Tuesday.
Based in part on the results of a 2011 public survey, the 115-page report is intended to define the collective vision for parks and recreation in the SCRD for the next 10 years.
It sets out a mission statement, planning principles, decision-making roles and four primary goals: strengthening communities across the region, motivating individuals and families to be healthy and active, providing environmental stewardship, and contributing to a diverse and stable economy.
"To me, that's really the nuts and bolts and then it moves on to the recommendations," said Anne Titcomb, chair of the recreation and parks services advisory committee. "In this community, parks and trails were the biggest. Next was more programming, inside and outside facilities."
The 2011 survey found trail use was the most popular outdoor recreation activity for Coast residents, followed by visiting parks and beaches, and "satisfaction related to outdoor recreation is very high," said the report.
"When talking more specifically about bike paths and walkways, however, people express significant levels of dissatisfaction. A particular concern is a perceived lack of safety on walkways and bike paths due to the proximity of roads and traffic," the report added. "In terms of priorities for improvement in parks and recreation as a whole, the top priority is 'more or better paths, trails, and roadside bikeways and walkways.' Trails are very important to the community."
The report's 77 key recommendations also focus on improving park amenities, increasing access to facilities for low-income residents, and maintaining the Sechelt arena and Gibsons pool with minimal capital spending.
The plan's financial implications are estimated at about $7 million until 2022 for ongoing maintenance and capital replacement at indoor facilities, but of that amount more than $1 million has already been budgeted or spent, including $675,000 in 2012 for an energy retrofit at Sechelt Aquatic Centre.
"That's where we've seen huge energy savings," said SCRD recreation services manager Bruce Bauman.
For Gibsons pool, the report notes that outside of the master plan process, the SCRD hired an architect to provide an estimate for a major rebuild.
"The architect estimates that to build a pool of similar dimensions would be approximately $6 million at a minimum," the report said. "If it is determined that, for reasons not identified in the master plan process, a pool should be kept in the Gibsons area, this consulting team recommends that the pool be built adjacent to the Gibsons and Area Community Centre."
Annual operating and capital implications of the plan include $212,500 for additional staff, $250,000 for a trail fund, $50,000 for shoreline access, $50,000 for park improvements, $25,000 for sport field restoration, and $10,000 for park management plans.
One-time costs include between $120,000 and $340,000 to refurbish community halls and campgrounds and $30,000 for a communication program.
The plan outlines three service levels, noting that many components of the system are already in place.
"The region is well served by its facilities, and the focus at this time should be on fine-tuning the program offerings, removing barriers, partnering with other service providers, and building a larger constituency for programs, rentals, special events and volunteerism," the report said.
Open houses were held on June 17 at the SCRD offices and June 18 in Pender Harbour and Gibsons.
The deadline for feedback is July 1.
