The city is looking at spending some big money on two dozen parks projects and improvements to start 2017.
Later this week, the city’s parks and rec commission will be asked to approve 24 projects in the department totalling $3 million.
The projects range from repaving parking lots and replacing footbridges to replacing equipment for sports and outdoor recreation.
The projects will need final approval from city council.
Dave Ellenwood, the city’s director of parks and recreation, said it was the first opportunity to ask council to approve projects the department wants to start on right away. He also said there would be more requests as the year goes on.
“We kind of go to the commission monthly with some projects we want to do in 2017,” Ellenwood told the NOW.
Listed below are some of the specific projects on the table:
w George Green Park, Parkcrest Park and Avondale Park will have their playground structures replaced at a cost of $175,000 each. The report noted the playgrounds meet the city’s “life cycle renewal timeline,” and accessibility improvements will be included in the work. Completion is planned for fall 2017.
w Burnaby Mountain Golf Course will be getting $295,000 in upgrades, including the renovation of washroom facilities and the design and development of improvements to increase its playability.
w Riverway Golf Course will be getting $175,000 for improvements that include a new pole and fence installation at the end of the range.
w Bill Copeland Arena will be getting $230,000 to reconfigure and upgrade the skate shop and to install electronic Read-O-Graph signage.
w Burnaby Village Museum will be getting $175,000 for exhibit upgrades to the west mall, which houses seven exhibits including the General Store, Stride Studios and Central Park Theatre. Upgrades include replacement of flooring and equipment and the provision of new interpretive opportunities for visitors.
w The Shadbolt Centre will be getting $150,000 for the installation of user-friendly audiovisual and presentation equipment in key rental studios. The equipment will include sound systems, projectors, screens, smart TV’s, lighting, and tables and chairs.
Ellenwood explained the projects, like the playgrounds, are chosen based on their life cycle.
The city is also spending $150,000 on a needs assessment for the Brentwood Community Resource Centre.
The staff report noted with Brentwood’s current and future growth, “careful assessment of anticipated needs of area residents (now and in the future) is required to plan for the recreation and community amenities for this changing community.”
The report also said the project will provide a foundation for the conceptual design and the public consultation processes that follow in the development of the facility.
