Public Input Needed for Parks and Recreation Plan

What do you think about the parks and trails in Courtenay? Would you like to offer input on future programs and facilities at Courtenay Recreation?

The City of Courtenay is updating its Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and is looking for your suggestions through community open houses, an online survey, or by email.

Dave Snider, the City’s director of recreation and culture, says it’s been over two decades since the last major review of parks and recreation in the City. “The current parks and recreation master plan was developed in 1994, and Courtenay has gone through many changes since then,” notes Snider. “Parks and recreation play a vital role in the fabric of any community, and input from our residents will help us determine where to focus our resources in the years to come.”

Attend one of two Community Workshops:

• Wednesday, September 13, 4:00 p.m.
  Florence Filberg Centre Evergreen Lounge, 411 Anderton Avenue

OR

• Thursday, September 14, 6:30 p.m.
  Native Sons Hall Grand Hall, 360 Cliffe Avenue

In addition to the public sessions, the City will conduct separate focus groups with various community groups.

A link to the online survey is posted at www.courtenay.ca/parksrecplan. The survey deadline is Saturday, September 30, 2017.

Fill in the survey for a chance to win one of two $100 gift certificates to Courtenay Recreation. Paper copies of the survey will be available at City Hall, the Lewis Centre, Florence Filberg Centre, or The LINC Youth Centre. Comments may also be emailed to rcs@courtenay.ca

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan update follows a comprehensive inventory and preliminary analysis of parks, recreation, and cultural facilities completed by the City of Courtenay over the past year. Consultants from Urban Systems will work with City staff and Council on public and stakeholder engagement, and assist with the preparation of a vision and recommendations for all aspects of parks and recreation in Courtenay. This includes parkland, park design, trail types and locations, natural areas, sports fields, play areas, dog parks, courts, skate parks, community gardens, the Lewis Centre, Florence Filberg Centre, LINC Youth Centre, Native Sons Hall, and recreation programs.

Community input collected through the survey and workshops will be used in the development of the draft Master Plan. The draft plan will be presented to the community for review once complete.

For more information, call Recreation and Cultural Services at 250-334-4441.