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RDN seeks input on recreation survey

Community views wanted as part of first Recreation Master Plan update in 10 years
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Residents are being asked to participate in a master plan survey for recreation services in Parksville Qualicum Beach. Paper copies of the survey are available at Ravensong Aquatics Centre and Oceanside Place Arena.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is developing a Recreation Services Master Plan for District 69, (Parksville Qualicum Beach).

The master plan is a long-term strategic plan for the delivery of recreation services in District 69. It will help guide future decision making and actions in a number of key areas including the management of current facilities, future infrastructure needs and programming partnerships.

“Our board recognizes recreational amenities as a core service” said Julian Fell, RDN director for Area F and member of the District 69 Recreation Services Master Plan sub-committee. “This project and the feedback we receive from residents will help us to ensure that future recreation planning reflects local needs.”

Over the next several days, residents of Parksville Qualicum Beach will receive a postcard in the mail with information on how to participate in the master plan survey online. Survey responses are anonymous and residents have until March 20 to complete the survey. Participating residents will be entered into a draw to win one of four $75 RDN Recreation and Parks gift certificates.

The recreational master plan review is typically updated every decade or so, said Dean Banman, RDN manager of recreation services. The last such review was undertaken in 2006.

“There are a few different components to it,” Banman said. “We’ll contract with an outside consultant to create the public survey, which is for anyone in the community — not just users of the facilities. We will also be meeting with user groups and other organizations to discuss their ideas and suggestions.”

When this process is approximately 80 per cent complete, by late summer of 2017, Banman said, a draft report will be shared with the public.

“We try to keep (the survey) open-ended so we don’t skew results or suggest that elected officials or staff are driving the direction of the discussion,” Banman said. “That said, we know there are certain themes from our user groups. These may include an expansion to Ravensong Aquatic Centre, the need for artificial fields or an outdoor multiplex. Maybe that would be a track with synthetic surface and a grandstand, so we can host sport tourism events.”

When the survey and public consultation process is complete, probably this fall, a report will be submitted to the District 69 Recreation Commission before being forwarded to the RDN board of directors.

For more information on the Recreation Services Master Plan for District 69, visit www.rdn.bc.ca/survey.

Paper copies of the survey are also available at Oceanside Place Arena (830 West Island Highway, Parksville) and Ravensong Aquatic Centre (737 Jones Street, Qualicum Beach).

— NEWS Staff and RDN news release