By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

Public surveys show clear support for enhancing parks, trails, and recreation in the region.

On July 21, the regional district board heard a presentation from consultant Justin Ellis who introduced the Draft Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan. 

The six-phase plan has two more phases to go before completion and implementation.

The first public engagement occurred from April to June 2021 via surveys, workshops, and interviews. The highest participation came from Electoral Area H (rural Princeton) at 27 per cent, while the Town of Osoyoos shared one per cent participation with Keremeos and Cawston. All three Indian bands in the region had zero per cent participation.

More than 1,500 people took part in online surveys while 440 expressed sounding board comments. 

What was heard

Ellis said it’s clear that people deeply value parks, trails and recreation and see them as essential to their quality of life.

“We heard clear support for greater investment in enhancing and acquiring new parks and trails.”

The surveys showed that 72 per cent of respondents believe that funding for parks and trails should be increased. Fifty-six per cent believe funding for recreation (facilities) should also be increased. But nearly 40 per cent indicated that funding should be maintained at current levels.

Ellis said the key things that respondents want improved are expanding, connecting, and diversifying the parks and trail system. He added that participants want to see an increase in regional park networks, particularly parks that protect ecologically important areas and those that enable climate change adaptation and resilience.

Ellis said there is also a desire to see outdoor and indoor recreational programming enhanced.

Interestingly, the consultant noted the demand to enhance additional major indoor and outdoor recreational facilities was not made clear by the respondents.

But Ellis said there was a clear need expressed to enhance universal accessibility of programming and the region’s physical infrastructure.

He stated that many participants also expressed a need to formalize and provide more stewardship and volunteer opportunities for parks and recreation.

Ellis said some of the desired outcomes of the plan include: Healthy living and connected communities; inclusive and equitable access, ecological protection, climate change resilience, and truth and reconciliation with First Nations.

Game plans

The consultant noted the importance of putting parks and trails in a clear classification system. This can include mode of travel, type of use, level of challenge and preparedness.

Consultant Steve Slawuta outlined the game plan for recreation. 

He acknowledged that the region is currently reviewing the feasibility of a new indoor aquatic centre. 

Regional director Doug Holmes asked what is the role of municipalities in the pursuit of major recreational facilities with regional partners?

Slawuta said they have tried to address this in the master plan. As far as the aquatic centre goes, you must determine who it will benefit and who will fund it, he said.

In this case, the South Okanagan Aquatic Centre Advisory Committee has been meeting to discuss these very questions.

To date, a consultant has presented information on what features the facility could host, including a six-lane lap pool, a leisure/therapy pool, a hot tub and a multi-purpose room. A potential Phase 2 would add a fitness room, concession, and a child-minding service. Phase 3 could include a gymnasium and ice rink.

The consultant also presented preliminary cost estimates, noting that a core program such as phase 1 would cost $27 million. A full build-out model would cost approximately $44 million, the committee was told.

As for location, the committee has been discussing many sites, including a “preferred” piece of property on Fruitvale Way north of Osoyoos.

Bill Newell, chief administrative officer for the regional district, said it all comes down to money. He noted the only way rural residents can participate financially in this project is if a service area is established. 

He reminded everyone at the meeting that you can’t build a facility and then ask residents if they want to finance it.

“You have to ask them first and involve them in the governance of that service.”

According to the aquatic centre consultant, approximately 82 per cent of survey respondents (around 1,000) support the idea of a new indoor pool in the South Okanagan.

Oliver Mayor Martin Johansen said he is keeping an open mind on the affordability issue, noting he is looking forward to the final feasibility report to provide more answers.

Committee chair Petra Veintimilla previously told the Times Chronicle that the real costs and granting opportunities have yet to be determined.

She acknowledged that it is very likely that a project of this magnitude would need to go to public referendum.

The next step in the Parks, Trails, and Recreation Master Plan is another round of public engagement starting in September.