REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
DATE: October 16, 2019 Report No. P&R-19-010
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Scott Hartman, Director of Parks and Recreation Services
SUBJECT:
Title
McLoughlin Amenity Funds: Waterfront Parks - Public Engagement Results
End
ESSENTIAL QUESTION:
1. Does Council wish to proceed with a proposed facility at Esquimalt Gorge Park and if so which is the preferred design?
2. Does Council wish to proceed with a proposed fenced dog park at Esquimalt Gorge Park and if so which is the preferred design?
3. Does Council wish to proceed with a proposed boardwalk at Saxe Point Park?
4. What alternative projects does Council wish to move forward with utilizing the Waterfront Park allocation?
5. Does Council wish to transfer funds from the Waterfront Parks to either Downtown Recreation Facilities or Public Safety Building allocation at this time?
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That the COTW receive Staff Report No. P&R-19-010 for information, provide any additional direction to staff as the COTW considers advisable, and direct staff to prepare a report for Council’s consideration at the November 4th scheduled Council meeting.
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BACKGROUND:
After two rounds of comprehensive community engagement, Council chose three projects to focus on for waterfront park improvements: (1) a multi-purpose public facility at Esquimalt Gorge Park; (2) a fenced dog park at Esquimalt Gorge Park; and, (3) an elevated waterfront boardwalk at Saxe Point Park. Concept drawings for each of the projects were created by Stantec Consulting Ltd. These concepts were presented to Council on August 26th, 2019, and a public engagement process occurred from September 10th-29th that included two open houses, an online survey, and questionnaires to solicit public feedback on these concept plans.
Input gathered through these engagement activities have been compiled by Stantec Consulting Ltd. The report outlines the findings from this recent community consultation: McLoughlin Amenity Funds: Waterfront Parks - Public Engagement Report [Attachment No. 1].
ISSUES:
A multi-phased public engagement process has been undertaken by the Township to inform the use of the McLoughlin Amenity Funds. The $7 million dollars allocated to waterfront park enhancements must be committed and at least one major project substantially completed by the time the Waste Water Treatment Plant is operational. The current estimated timeline is December 2020. To ensure these established timelines are met, Council will need to select final projects and provide direction to staff.
ALTERNATIVES:
1.
1. That the COTW receive Staff Report No. P&R-19-010 for information, provide any additional direction to staff as the COTW considers advisable, and direct staff to prepare a report for Council’s consideration at the November 4th scheduled Council meeting.
2. That the COTW provide alternative direction to staff.
3. That the COTW request further information from staff.