Brennan Park Recreation Centre needs a lot of upgrades, but residents might not be able to agree what should come first, according to a survey undertaken by the District and presented to council on Tuesday.
In the survey, residents were asked to rank priorities for Brennan Park upgrades, including improvements to existing facilities, an eight-lane lap pool, a second ice arena or a wellness and arts centre.
The results were mixed, with no obvious consensus on priorities.
“There was no clear direction from the community, I’m afraid, on the order to do these things,” said Sarah Gillett of Modus Planning, who presented the survey.
For example, while 31 per cent of residents chose the ice arena as the highest priority, and an equal number of people (34 per cent) said it was their lowest priority.
Respondents were also asked for their ideas on new facilities, and responses included a fitness centre, multi-use track for biking and walking, an outdoor playground, new courts and aquatic facilities like a splash pad or slide.
Upgrades to the aging facilities will likely come with a hefty price tag.
Most residents, 78 per cent, in the survey supported “an increase in investment” although only a quarter of respondents said they would prefer to replace the existing facility rather than upgrade the current building.
Coun. Susan Chapelle said she was disappointed by how the survey was designed and said it biased towards an upgrade rather than building a new community centre.
“Most people I’ve spoken to want a new Brennan Park and can’t imagine leaving an old core,” she said.
Chapelle said creative solutions for funding — including private partnerships — might exist, but aren’t being fully explored by staff.
“It definitely wasn’t the team’s intent to make that third option less desirable,” said Gillet.
“One thing I completely agree on is this cannot be the entire conversation. This is really a check-in, at this stage,” she said. “There’s really important trade-offs coming forward in making funding decisions.”
Mayor Patricia Heintzman said the survey is a starting point, and more analysis is still forthcoming.
In total, 1,032 community members took the online survey and 150 people took the survey in person. The online survey had a high drop off rate – with 869 beginning the online survey but not finishing it.
Most people who took the survey visited Brennan Park at least once a week.
A final report on the public engagement findings will be released in September, and grant funding for governments and corporate sponsorship will be explored in 2018 and 2019.
