PERIOD REPORT
DATE: May 26 2025 Report No. P&R-25-004
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Steve Knoke, Director Parks and Recreation
SUBJECT:TITLEParks and Recreation Services- 2025 Period Report
Body
The following is a report on the activities pertaining to the Parks and Recreation Services from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.
I. DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIVITIES
1.Parks
BC Hydro has again granted $7,500 towards our annual tree planting initiative.
Publicly owned trees
• Trees pruned - 23
• Trees removed - 9
• Trees planted - Blvd trees - 25
• Natural area trees planted - 8
• Total trees planted - 33
Invasive Removal
• General parks maintenance - 82 cubic meters of invasive plants removed from parks.
• Earth Day - 146 understorey plants went into the ground for Earth Day.
Privately owned trees (tree permit/developments)
• Trees approved for removal - 10
• Trees denied for removal - 5
• Trees approved for pruning - 5
• No permit required (not protected tree) - 2
• Number of tree cutting permits waiting for more information or cancelled - 1
• Number of tree permits in progress - 3
• Total tree cutting permits applied for - 21
Parks Highlights
• Earth Day was held in Highrock Park on April 16, 2025. Over 1,000 people attended including 900 students, adult volunteers and community members. A Branch Out invasive removal event was also held at Highrock Park during the Earth Day Celebration. The Greater Victoria Green Team attended to address a section of invasive species that threatens the native biodiversity of the park and 169 sq was removed.
• Major parks updated with path mix and wood chips.
• Signage upgrade at Anderson Park as well as new pathways and benches.
• New reflective sign installed at Bullen Concession building.
• Construction and installation of two new garden beds in the community garden.
• Mulch applied in West Bay, Saxe Point, Adventure Park, Rec centre, Captain Jacobson Park, Gorge Park, Memorial, City Hall, Rain Gardens, Head Street island and all the small parks.
• Major renovation of Propeller park- cut down overgrown bamboo/overgrown vegetation (group project).
• Renovated landscaped bed at City Hall.
• 787 bulbs and corms were planted for fall displays in the parks.
Park Bookings
• Saxe Point Park - 5 (3 wedding, 2 special event).
• Esquimalt Gorge Park - 10 (special events).
• Macaulay Point Park - 1 (special event).
• Bullen Park - 17 (Gorge soccer, Spartans Football, Victoria Slo Pitch).
• L’Ecole Brodeur - 21 (Youth and Adult Soccer Club).
• Anderson Park - Community Garden.
• Highrock Park - 1 (1 special event).
• Memorial Park - 8 (Farmers Market, Picnics, DND Memorial Service).
• Lampson Park - 53 (Lions Minor Baseball).
Gorge Park Pavilion
• There were 266 bookings at the Gorge Park Pavilion in this reporting period compared to 224 bookings for the same period last year.
• The Township Community Arts Council hosted Sculpture Splash at the Gorge Park Pavilion on April 9 - April 13, 2025. This event showcased a variety of art pieces in collaboration with the Vancouver Island Sculptors Guide that brought inspiring 3-D works from Vancouver Island artists.
• The 2025 New Years Levee was hosted at the Gorge Park and Pavillion this year, a guided historical walk, lead by Dennis Minaker, followed by hot chocolate and cookies.
2. Maintenance
Sports Centre
• Curling ice was removed March 17th.
• Hockey ice was removed April 7th.
• Painting of the roller derby track on the curling rink floor and the 2 roller derby tracks on the hockey rink floor were completed.
• Painting of all hockey and lacrosse lines on the arena floor was completed.
• Replacement of the upper west fire escape door in the arena was completed.
• Staff pressure washed both the compressor room and boiler room floors in preparation for painting.
• Completed the set up and tear down of several large events including Earth Day, the Gigantic Garage Sale, and several league year end banquets.
Recreation Centre
• New circulation pump for lifestyle pool was installed.
• Wall repairs and repainting in Constance Cove and Pioneer A & B was completed.
• A new chlorine pump for the lifestyle pool was installed.
• New chemical lines were installed that run between the pumps to the injectors.
• New trench skimmer grates were installed on the tots pool.
• New sink taps were installed in all the main washrooms.
• New water fountain was installed on the pool deck.
Pavilion
• New workbench was installed in the maintenance room.
• New pond filter system was installed.
• All building windows, inside and out, were washed in preparation of wedding season.
• Upper Hall walls repaired and repainted.
• Lower Hall wall partitions were steam cleaned.
• The pond was pressure washed, sanded and a new liner was painted on.
3. Recreation Services
Fitness and Sports
• The Wellness Centre had 36,202 visits from January - April 2025 compared to 28,566 the previous year.
• Drop-in Fitness continued to offer 33 classes per week, with increased registration from the same period in 2024. January- April 2025 saw 8,138 attendees compared to 6,909 the previous year.
• From January- April 2025, 40 registered fitness classes a week were programmed, with 1,082 registered fitness participants compared to 921 participants in the first period of 2024.
• Adult Drop-in Sports continue to be popular, with almost all sessions fully booked. During the first period, there were 2,665 drop-in sports spots filled compared to 2,661 in the same period last year.
• Through Personal Training and the 60 Day Challenge, Esquimalt Rec’s personal trainers were able to see 48 new clients in the first period of 2025.
• The 16th Annual Esquimalt 5k had 432 participants and 244 children registered in the 1K Fun Run compared to 301 in the 5k and 173 kids in the 1k last year. Participants engaged in a variety of pre and post run activities and received great support from local businesses.
• Through grant funding from the BCRPA, Esquimalt Recreation offered its first session of Choose to Move. A free program for seniors to encourage them to become more active in their daily lives. Choose to Move had 10 participants in the first session.
Aquatics
• A service level of 119 weekly hours of operation was maintained in the pool. This was the same service level in 2024.
• No service interruptions were attributed to staffing restrictions.
• There was one incident of restricted capacity as a result of staffing restrictions. This is down from the 5 incidents in 2024.
• 9 lifesaving, lifeguarding and swim instructor training courses included 104 registered participants, compared to 11 courses included 108 registered participants during the same period in 2024.
• 20 water fit classes were offered per week with an average of 29 participants compared to 20 water fit classes were offered per week with an average of 27 participants during the same period in 2024.
• Hired 6 new aquatic staff, bringing the aquatic team to 85 staff.
• Ran 48 registered private lessons with 64 participants compared to 36 participants in the same period in 2024.
• Ran 190 community lessons with 898 participants in 2025 compared to 155 community lessons run with 676 participants in the same period in 2024.
Memberships/Registrations
• 2,427 memberships were sold compared to 2,400 in 2024 this includes:
• 318 - 1 month Passes compared to 337
• 396 - 3 Month Passes compared to 346
• 110 - 6 Month Passes compared to 110
• 358 - 1 Year Passes compared to 353
• 874 - 10 Punch Passes compared to 891
• 320 - 25 Punch Passes compared to 313
• 51 - Regional Passes compared to 50
• 694 products were sold through the Recreation Centre shop (googles, swim caps, swim diapers, and water bottles) compared to 722.
• There were 7,400 registrations completed compared to 6,356.
Marketing
• Esquimalt Parks & Recreation social media platforms continue to have a strong following with 7,520 on Facebook (up from 7,496 last period), 2,855 on Instagram (up from 2,811 last period), and 4,094 on X (down from 4, 270 last period).
• Our Instagram reaches are down 3.5% over last period, and our Facebook visits are up 31.5%.
• The use of the website has been successful, and the Parks & Recreation section continues to be the most predominantly viewed content.
Facility Rentals
• 385 contracts were issued for rentals at the Esquimalt Recreation Centre compared to 276 for the same period last year.
• 283 contracts were issued for rentals at the Archie Browning Sports Centre compared to 279 last year.
Preschool - Children and Youth Services
• Our Licensed Preschool M/W/F program ran with 15/16 spaces filled. We hired a Preschool Support Worker to provide support for a child with funding through Queen Alexandra and Island Health Supported Child Development.
• We restarted our Nature Preschool T/Th program and had it approved as a licensed program. The Nature Preschool program runs April to June with 6 participants.
• The Japanese Infant/Toddler class, located at the Pavilion, ran with 6/15 spots filled.
Licensed Out of School Care
• Before School Care had 49/78 registrants, leaving 29 spaces available.
• After School Care remains at capacity with 79 participants, with a significant waitlist by the end of April 2025.
• Our early dismissal day on April 30th was full with 40 participants.
• Our Pro-D Day on February 14 had 38/40 participants.
Spring Break Camps
• We offered 8 of our own camps (4 per week) serving 150 participants in total:
o We had 74/80 participants in our licensed camps (2 each week)
o We had 76/80 participants in our playground camps (2 each week)
• The Esquimalt Youth Leadership program ran both weeks of Spring Break. The first week had 9 participants and the second week had 14 participants. That was an increase of 9 participants from 2024.
Teen Centre Programs
• Tuesday LGBTQIA2S+ program saw a weekly increase to 12 this year compared to 10 last year.
• Instead of Wednesday Ravens Club at Rock Heights Middle School, we now run Wednesday drop-in at the Rec Centre and there are roughly 4 participants. We are hoping to move this program back to Rock Heights.
• Thursday Teen Nights: 27 participants compared to 14 last year.
• Friday Teen Nights: 67 participants compared to 45 last year.
• Saturday Teen Nights: 69 participants vs 49 last year
Sports
• Rock Water Aikido ran 4 classes a week at École Victor Brodeur school.
• MIJO Taekwondo ran 7 programs a week compared to 6 last year.
• Badminton Teen/Adult Class 16yrs+ ran with 17/20 participants and the Badminton Jr Class 8-12yrs ran with 10/20 participants, and the Badminton Sr Class 8-12yrs ran with 19/20 participants.
• KATS Tennis ran a 9-11 yrs program with 16/16 participants and a 5-8 yr program with 16/16 participants.
• Play Beyond Expectations ran two programs a week during this period.
• Soccer 3-5yrs class had 10/12 participants, the 6-8yrs class had 12/12 spots filled the 9-12yr class had 11/12 spots filled all increasing in numbers from last year.
• Vic City Basketball Girls 9-15yrs had 6/20 participants.
• Vic City Basketball Boys 9-15yrs reached capacity with 20/20 spots.
Arts, Culture, Social & Special Interest Programs
• We ran another successful Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, filing taxes for 108 community members, free of charge, compared to 126 last year.
• This winter saw high registration in many new and returning programs, such as:
o Kids Music Classes: Music Together ran 3 sessions for 33 children.
o Kids Cooking: breakfast bonanza and sweets and treats, both full totaling 24 kids.
o Stitch Lab: increased demand added additional sessions last year and they are continually full with a combined 32 kids this session as compared to 24 in 2024.
o Preschool dance successfully ran 5 classes, 4 of which ran full at 12 participants, and one ran almost full with 11 participants.
• We ran a variety of one-off painting classes, including Winter’s Snowbird, Desert Cactus Magic, and Ocean Waves which were popular, with a combined attendance of 40 participants.
Community Development and Events
• Our annual Family Day event was held in person again this year, with a free family swim, kinder gym, Family Skate and a BBQ hosted by the Lion’s Club. In addition, we hosted 9 community groups that offered information and free activities (Esquimalt Farmers Market, Esquimalt Fire Rescue Services, Play Beyond Expectations, Esquimalt Writer’s Group, Spartan Football, Capital Bikes, Gorge Waterway Actions Society, VicPD, Steve’s Poke Bar). In addition to our usual offerings, we added 3 new family-friendly activities throughout the day: Capital Bike Adventure Course, Open Gym and Music Bingo.
• Around 500 people attended the Family Day Celebration throughout the day. Capital Bikes had approximately 100 people ride their bike circuit course. 153 people dropped into the free family swim and 130 joined the free public skate. 140 people attended the Family friendly Music Bingo in the Jubilee Hall with only 5 people attending the Family Friendly open gym later that evening.
• The Annual Esquimalt Lions’ Easter Egg Hunt returned to Bullen Park and was very well attended with an estimated 1,200 participants throughout the day.
• New this year, we hosted an Earth week pop-up series in the Rec Centre and Sports Centre. We invited local community groups to discuss earth related topics and offer opportunities to reduce environmental impact. The Compost Education Centre, Parks Canada, BC Transit, Flourish School Food Society and Lifecycles Project hosted info booths. Together we diverted 1,045 lbs of electronic waste with the Electronic Recycling Association, 300 lbs of textile waste with the Green Thimble, and filled half a 5 ton truck with home goods for Big Brothers Big Sisters Canada.
• The Gigantic Garage Sale returned to Archie Browning Sports center this year in both the Curling Rink and Arena. We hosted 104 vendors, and had over 1,000 people attend throughout the day. Country Crepes, Brubike and the Lions Club joined the event and offered a variety of foods and beverages to patrons.
• The Esquimalt Farmers’ Market has returned to Memorial Park as of April 3rd and will operate until September 25th. The Gorge Park Market will open on June 16th and continue until Sept 22nd.
• Our annual Spring Thaw Community Skate was sponsored by the Esquimalt Lions Club this year. Approximately 50 people attended the free skate event.
• Our Social Saturday Lounge events continue to be popular with sold out events from January-April.
• January: 32 people attended Wine & Paint night with Barbara Morris.
• February: 100 people attended Pub Quiz night with Benji Duke.
• March: 40 people attended the Murder Mystery night with Enigmatic Events.
• April: 25 people attended the Wine & Pour painting night with Barbara Morris.
Ice and Arena
• The Esquimalt Curling Club continued to operate with both men’s and women’s leagues. This year they ran 6 curling bonspiels that were well attended in both the arena and lounge.
• This year we hosted the Racquet Club Ice Show - Peter Pan - which ran from Mar 21 - March 23, 2025.
• Our Learn to Skate program continues to grow with 78 participants, compared to 75 in 2024.
• Each week we ran 10 public skating sessions, which includes drop-in hockey, Cougars Pond Hockey, adult skates, and public skates that follows the schedule from the previous year.
• The drop-in hockey programs including Stick and Puck continue to be well attended. The Friday drop-in hockey program continues to have a waitlist. Stick and Puck continued this year to capture youth who may not have access to a general hockey program.
• Shinny Hockey was at full capacity for Wednesdays and Fridays. Cougars pond hockey is also maintaining regional popularity with our partnership with the Cougars Junior ‘A’ team.
• Special events like the ‘Family Day’ and ‘Spring Thaw’ skates were well attended with over 100 participants.
• We continue to engage with the local schools in offering school skates 5 days a week.
• The Archie Browning Sports Centre hosted the Ken Gill and Forrest Owens Charity Hockey Tournament which ran April 4 and 5, 2025. The event goal was to increase awareness of mental health and cancer incidences affecting members of the fire service and our communities at large. This event was well attended capturing a large attendance and raised over $8,000 for local charities.
• The curling arena hosted the SD61: Career Fair for Youth, again this year, which had 93 booths to capture youth employment opportunities.
II. COMMITTEES
• The Environmental Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee met on January 22, 2025 and April 23, 2025.