The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Park Board is looking for public input as it identifies priorities for its capital plan to 2014.
After flush budgets in the build-up to the Olympics, park board chair Aaron Jasper said the emphasis for the next three years will be on adjusting back to pre-Games funding levels and maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure.
Whereas federal infrastructure grants and increased municipal spending led to an impressive roster of new projects in the current capital plan, which expires at the end of this year, the next stage of investment will see more modest projects undertaken.
Park boards draft capital plan 2012-2014 estimates a budget of roughly $67 million to bet spent on capital projects, compared to budgets of more than $91 million for 2009-2011 and over $80 million for 2006-2008. That number could still be reduced as the City of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»seeks to trim $70 million from its overall capital plan to reach its goal of $700 million.
We can get caught up in the building of new this and new that but we also need to be mindful of maintaining what we have, said Jasper, noting the type of investment that led to the creation of three new community centres, Hillcrest (formerly Riley Park), Trout Lake and Creekside, will not be seen in the upcoming capital plan.
Park board staff have identified a new Marpole community centre and new community and childcare building for the Kensington neighbourhood as priorities for the next capital plan but it is likely the board will team up with other city departments to incorporate childcare centres and libraries into multi-use facilities. Park board has earmarked $17 million for the Marpole project, but is seeking additional funding.
Other priorities include partially replacing the roof on the Bloedel Conservatory ($1 million), maintaining and upgrading pools and rinks ($3.5 million) and converting Empire Field at Hastings Park to synthetic surfaces for community use ($8.4 million).
Jasper said the park board plans to have several additional shovel-ready projects in the wings in case the federal government steps in with additional infrastructure spending.
Park board staff will be conducting extensive public consultation on the draft capital plan throughout the summer. The public can also weigh in online at TalkVancouver.com, or attend community meetings planned for July 21, 25 and 27. The recommendations will go to council in September.
