The first draft of a municipal document that governs the future of the community's parks and recreation facilities is set to be unveiled.
Initiated by District of Squamish officials in January, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan assesses existing rec and parks programs and infrastructure and creates a development guide for the next 20 years. On Wednesday, Oct. 24, the municipality is hosting the third and final open house for the plan.
Project's consultants Lees and Associates kicked off public consultation last spring, with an open forum followed by a telephone and online survey. Three-hundred Squamish residents took part in the phone survey and 198 citizens participated in the online questionnaire. In June, a second open house was held, focusing on the survey's findings.
The unveiling of the first draft takes place at the Squamish Seniors Centre at 1201 Village Green Way. The forum starts at 6:30 p.m. with a presentation at 7 p.m. Consultants and district staff will be on hand to answer questions, municipal planner Elaine Naisby said.
There will be feedback forms, she added.
Squamish's parks and rec master plan is unique because of the municipality's Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada branding, Naisby said. Consultants and staff had to translate that message into the district's parks and rec system, she noted.
We also have all this access to provincial and regional parks, Naisby said.
These factors and numerous others, such as the growth of local mountain biking, climbing, running, sailing and kiteboarding races and events, were all examined, she noted.
The plan includes a look at Squamish's centralized recreation centre Brennan Park Recreation Centre and whether it makes sense to maintain a centralized hub or move activities into the community's various neighbourhoods, Naisby said.
Ultimately the document analysis current and long-term needs, she said, which aids officials in determining spending.
