Community Park will have a new look, complete with an expanded washroom facility and privately-owned food trucks, after Parksville city council actions Monday night.
The city will spend $290,000 previously allocated in the budget to renovate and convert the existing concession to washrooms and change stalls only, and build pads for lease to mobile food vendors.
"I love this suggestion," said Coun. Carrie Powell Davidson. "The idea of going to pads for mobile food vendors — we have at least a dozen in our community — is a great one."
Coun. Peter Morrison agreed.
"This is a fantastic idea that's a long time coming," he said. "I would assume we would have lots of (mobile food vendors) requesting space."
The contract between the current concession operators and the city expires in September. This same contractor has had the contract for four years.
Details surrounding the amount of pads, their locations and how they will be serviced with power and water are still to be worked out by the city, but director of operations Alan Metcalf told council "it will be largely driven by the proposals we receive."
CAO Fred Manson also told council things like winter coverage, issues surrounding smoke and other concerns can be worked out in both the request for proposals and from information garnered during that process.
Council voted unanimously to pursue the idea, but Coun. Sue Powell said she had reservations.
"I'm really struggling with this because Community Park, one of its attractions, is there aren't many structures in there."