The Town of Osoyoos has excellent existing recreational facilities and trails that are sufficient to meet demand for the next decade, but a long term plan will need to be developed to replace aging facilities like the Sonora Community Centre and Sun Bowl Arena a decade from now.

Local residents would also love to see a new aquatic centre built in Osoyoos.

Those were some of the key findings from the final draft of the 2014 Community Services Master Plan presented to members of Town of Osoyoos council during last week’s council meeting.

Rick Lees, a partner with Lees and Associates Landscapes Architects and Planners, said the town’s current facilities are well used and popular, but they are aging and will need to be replaced in about a decade.

“The existing facilities are sufficient to meet current demand for the next 10 years,” said Lees. “The Town, partners and local businesses provide a high level of indoor recreational opportunities … and the facilities are well used and have a high level of user satisfaction.”

The development of the plan included direction from town council and community services department staff, said Lees.

The consulting team also met with stakeholder groups, youth and the general public, provided online opportunities for feedback and undertook a statistically valid phone survey regarding community services, he said.

The recommendations contained within the Master Plan will be developed as part of a multi-phased implementation and action plan.

This will include priority recommendations for 1-3 years, 4-7 years and 7+ years. The recommendations include associated capital and operating order of magnitude estimates.

The plan does not provide specific site plans or specific budget recommendations. All recommendations and plans outlined within this Master Plan will be vetted by staff and council in future planning processes, as well as evaluated relative to resource and budget requirements, he said.

The Sonora Centre is well maintained and has many more years of life and unused capacity and will continue to provide many quality programs and services for Osoyoos residents and visitors for many years to come, said Lees.

The Sun Bowl Arena is also well maintained and meets all demands for ice time, however, it was built 41 years ago and a new arena is going to be needed in Osoyoos in about a decade, he said.

“In general, those two buildings are in pretty good shape, although the change rooms at the Sun Bowl Arena are a little below par,” said Lees. “When you look beyond 10 years, that (Sun Bowl) will be a 51-year-old facility and will have to be replaced.”

Two previous studies have recommended a new indoor aquatic centre be built in Osoyoos and this remains the most requested indoor service or facility requested in the latest public survey with more than 35 per cent naming it the top priority, said Lees.

Close to 70 per cent of children in this community take swimming lessons outside of Osoyoos, he said.

Five options council will have to consider as part of future planning include:

• Building an indoor community pool

• Working with neighbouring communities and the RDOS to create a regional facility.

• Partnering with local hotels or private development to build a joint facility.

• Build a seasonal lakeside swim facility at Gyro Park

• Do nothing and maintain the status quo, which is not recommended.

After meeting with all stakeholders, the preferred option is to formally pursue a regional pool facility and to begin formal discussions with neighbouring municipalities, said Lees.

If the regional aquatic centre option does not lead to action, he recommended pursuing the option to pursue a joint centre with a hotel development to build an indoor pool and aquatic centre.

A seasonal lakeside swim facility at Gyro Park, that would offer expanded swimming lessons and lifeguard training, could be pursued in the shorter term, he said.

When it comes to parklands, trails and green space, Osoyoos has plenty to offer, but there is room for improvement, said Lees.

The per capita parkland ratio is adequate at 3.92 hectares per 1,000 residents, but this drops significantly when considering the tens of thousands of tourists who visit every year, said Lees.

The supply is supplemented nicely by Osoyoos Lake Regional Park and Haynes Point Provincial Park, he said.

Most of the town is well served with a nice park located within a five to 10-minute walk for most residents, with the exception of the northwest part of town near the Osoyoos Golf Club. But those residents are served well by trails and benefit from easy access to the golf course, he said.

More than 85 per cent of residents think parks and trails in Osoyoos are sufficiently maintained, public washrooms are accessible and well maintained, however, some natural areas are reported as insufficiently maintained and increased signage may be needed, he said.

Osoyoos has more than enough ball fields, but there is limited capacity to host tournaments, he said.

Walking for exercise was the most identified recreational activity for all adult age groups and residents would like more bike and walking trails and improved access and improved access for those with mobility issues was identified as a top priority for outdoor facilities.

Mayor Stu Wells thanked Lees for his comprehensive report and laughed when he said the town simply won’t be able to afford to implement many of the amenities and services recommended in the report.

“This report is certainly going to create a lot of issues for this council and future councils,” he said.

Coun. C. J. Rhodes agreed.

“It never ceases to amaze me the vast amount of expenditures and challenges” that come with a plan like this, he said.

This master plan does drive home that council and staff have to consider plans to replace and upgrade aging facilities moving forward, said Wells.

The report says most playground equipment targets older children, but a tot play area is being planned for Gyro Park.

There is a recommendation for the town to continue to provide a balance of active and passive park space.

There is even a recommendation to build outdoor pickleball courts by converting the current outdoor basketball court up near Osoyoos Secondary School into a multi-use facility as pickleball is growing rapidly in popularity and Osoyoos could become a tournament destination.

It is also suggested the the town continue communication to integrate with public trails planned to be built by the Osoyoos Indian Band and for the RDOS to connect with the River Channel Trail and Kettle Valley Railway trail to Osoyoos.

The final draft of master plan is available at the town office and on the town’s website.

KEITH LACEY

Osoyoos Times