2019 City of Maple Ridge Annual Report

Services Provided by City Departments

email, networks, switches and servers. A major service area for the department is in providing technical advice, security, data management and reporting as well as developing business solutions to maximize the use of our technology investments and add value to the business units in their use of information technology.

Parks & Facilities Director of Parks & Facilities – Valoree Richmond

The Parks & Facilities Department is made of three main areas including Parks Planning & Development, Facility Maintenance & Operations and Parks & Open Space. Each of these areas contributes to healthy lifestyles in this rapidly growing community through the provision and maintenance of a wide variety of parks and recreational facilities. The Parks Planning & Development section is responsible for the timely acquisition of parkland, planning and development of parks in accordance with the Parks Recreation and Culture Master Plan, which includes engaging with the community to develop conceptual plans for new parks, developing tender documents and overseeing the construction of parks as well as major infrastructure improvements to existing parks and recreation areas.

Parks, Recreation & Culture General Manager – David Boag

The Parks, Recreation & Culture (PRC) Division consists of two departments: Parks & Facilities and Recreation & Community Engagement including communications. The Division is responsible for the planning, development, operation and delivery of parks, recreation and cultural services to the citizens of Maple Ridge, including planning, development, and maintenance of all municipally owned buildings.

Programs and services include a wide range of skill development and recreation programs, a number of which are offered through partnerships that leverage expertise and funding from volunteers, non-profit organizations, private businesses, and other levels of government. A prime focus area is delivering opportunities that build individual, neighborhood and community capacity by connecting citizens and groups through volunteer opportunities, workshops, and planning sessions. The Division also administers grant programs and services that support festival development, and neighborhood and community-driven efforts to build community capacity and assets. The work described in the previous paragraphs delivers on Council’s direction regarding priorities reflected in the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan and a number of strategic plans developed with significant input from the community. Current strategies include the Youth Strategy, the Sport and Physical Activity Strategy, an Age-Friendly Action Plan, the Social Services Research Project, and the Maple Ridge Culture Plan. In 2019 the City broke ground on a new community centre to serve the fast growing Albion neighbourhood. The new facility will create a community gathering space for the neighbourhood and help connect citizens.

In 2019 the upgrade of the City’s Leisure Centre neared completion. This facility originally opened in 1981 and these upgrades will deliver more efficient mechanical systems, modern accessibility features and improved amenities for the next generation of guests. The Facility Maintenance & Operations section is responsible for the maintenance of a number of recreation and government buildings. This includes the scheduling of preventative maintenance programs for elevators, HVAC systems, pool mechanical systems, janitorial, as well as routine building repairs. This section is also responsible for developing tender documents and overseeing construction of new buildings and facilities, completing life-cycle repairs and replacement projects, including roofs, structures and mechanical equipment replacement as well as capital projects such as major renovations or construction of new facilities. The Parks & Open Space section is responsible for the maintenance of all parks sites, including an extensive trail network, playgrounds, horticultural displays, sports fields, boulevard trees, sports courts, dog off leash parks and a large number of greenbelt areas throughout the community. This section also manages a number of contracts for services including mowing, litter and garbage as well as service agreements for park caretakers, washrooms and specified maintenance areas. This section is also responsible for the day to day maintenance and coordination of interments at two municipal cemeteries.

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