The RDN is currently developing a 10-year Recreation Services Master Plan. In the spring of 2017 it hired a consulting group to meet with local user groups of the current recreation facilities. They have now announced dates and times for open houses so the public can see the draft plan: Nov. 20 at Nanoose Place, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Nov. 21 at Qualicum Beach Civic Centre 1-3 p.m.; Nov. 21 at Arrowsmith Hall, Coombs Fairgrounds, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Nov. 22 at Oceanside Place, 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and Nov. 23 at Lighthouse Community Centre, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
This letter is to give the public a heads-up. The information on these meetings is online on the RDN website.
On visiting other areas that are smaller or similar in size to Parksville Qualicum Beach, you realize that the recreation facilities in District 69 are woefully over-used, out of date for the population growth or non-existent. Basically the chance to show our support for improvements or new facilities is now. This is a 10-year plan. It is so important for young families and seniors, basically everyone that wants to live a healthy, long and productive life, to have adequate access to good facilities. If we don’t have a good plan for more and newer facilities we will fall further and further behind.
I see young families using the pool, which is my particular passion, and wonder where those children will swim in 10 years if we don’t update the current pool and build a new 50-metre pool.
So please choose one of these meetings, or two or three, and show up. We have to let the RDN know that a good and adequate recreation plan is important to our community.
Marg Albert
Qualicum Beach