2018-2022 Financial Plan

PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE

The Parks, Recreation & Culture Division (PRC) is responsible for parks, recreation, cultural activities, programs, facilities, liaison with community groups, community development work and accessibility issues. A summary of some 2017 accomplishments in the division is shown below, followed by efficiency and effectiveness initiatives which were undertaken by all areas and the business challenges relevant to the 2018-2022 planning period. Subsequent pages in the PRC section provide information on the departments reporting to this division, including staffing, 2018 workplan highlights, performance measurements and budgets. Departments within this division are Administration, Parks & Facilities and Recreation & Community Services. Select 2017 Division Accomplishments • Worked with SD42 to develop concept plans for an elementary school adjacent to a community centre in Albion and conducted public consultation. • Worked with Council to identify priorities attached to funding assigned to the Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan. • Worked with BC Housing to explore options and resources to address the low barrier gaps in the housing continuum and explored grant funding and partnerships. • Hosted a Community to Community forum with Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation. • Explored alternate locations for divisional synthetic sports field on existing park/school sites with input from SD 42, community and stakeholders. Design work underway for Arthur Peake/Golden Ears and Telosky Stadium/Thomas Haney School sites. • Conducted a ground breaking ceremony for the Karina LeBlanc field at Merkley Park/MRSS. • Submitted a successful bid application to host the 2020 BC Summer Games. • Developed a Memorandum of Understanding with Katzie First Nations to provide subsidized admissions for the MRLC and program access. Continuous Improvement • Installed new LED lights around City Hall rotunda to enable light displays, promote special events and to recognize national awareness campaigns. • Provided Transgender inclusive training workshops for supervisory and front line staff and developed/ installed transgender/inclusive change room and washroom signage at the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre. Business Perspective/Environmental Scan • A variety of sport clubs and associations have approached Council for additional athletic facilities including aquatic facilities, synthetic sports fields, lacrosse boxes in addition to softball, slow pitch

and baseball requests for additional play and practice facilities. • Increased Interest in emerging sports such as pickle ball which has been growing at a rapid pace. Although Maple Ridge has created 3 pickle ball courts as well as gymnasium space to accommodate this activity, players often have to wait on the sidelines for a court to become available. Initial discussions with the representatives suggest that the group will need 8 courts in fairly close proximity in order to eliminate wait times and host pickle ball tournaments. • The number of potential infrastructure projects, long term capital projects and lifecycle replacement projects planned for the near future will place a considerable strain on current resources, both from the coordination of the projects and then the maintenance of the facilities once completed. • A plan will need to be developed to accommodate theses additional projects through planning and construction, as well as the maintenance of the facilities once they have been completed and put in to service. • The elimination of the Golden Ears Bridge toll will provide the opportunity for non-residents to recreate and use the facilities, parks and trails in Maple Ridge; this may have a reciprocal effect for Maple Ridge residents as well. • The Maple Ridge Leisure Centre has been well cared for and well used since it was constructed 35 years ago, it now requires significant upgrades to continue to serve the community. Investment in these repairs is a cost-effective approach to maintain a high value asset that will continue to serve the community well into the future. • With the closure of the Maple Ridge Leisure Centre Aquatics area in 2018 the need for additional programming and services for customers will be a priority focus. • As our community continues to grow there is a need to increase the inventory of recreation facilities and amenities. The recreation infrastructure projects, prioritized by Council and the community, are a priority focus for Recreation and Facilities staff. • The addition of new and enhanced special events and cultural programs through the Canada 150 celebration grants and sponsorships raised the level of expectations from the community and increased attendance and participation from residents and visitors. With Council’s support, staff are able to continue providing increased and enhanced events in 2018.

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