It would take millions of dollars to upgrade every aspect of the Brennan Park Recreation Centre, and the town’s tax base simply isn’t big enough for that, a senior district official says.
In a response to a citizen, Devon Guest, the Acting Director of Recreation Services, said the facilities at the Brennan Park were at or near capacity on a number of fronts, from the ice rink to the pool to the gymnasium.
But taxes won’t be enough to upgrade these facilities.
“We are working on a broader strategy for Brennan Park that would also include opportunities for sponsorship, grants, and other funding mechanisms to accelerate as much as possible the work that needs to be done,” Guest said.
The district now has a dedicated senior staff person working on fundraising for the upgrades.
The district completed a Real Estate and Facilities Master plan a few years ago which identified short, medium- and long-term needs in the community.
It also identifies over $189 million dollars of work that needs to be done, with many buildings such as fire halls and the waste water treatment plant at the end of life that need to be prioritised.
In 2018, the district engaged the public through surveys and meetings, which found support in town to expand and upgrade the recreation centre, rather than replacing it.
An eight-lane pool phase, a second ice arena phase, and wellness and arts centre were other options people supported. There was also support for new facilities such as water park, turf field, running track, tennis courts, baseball diamonds etc.
A playground, bike skills and a skateboard park, and community amenities such as coffee shop, etc were also elements that are desired by the community.
District is now working on a master plan for the Brennan Park Recreation Centre that would include these ideas and engage residents and user groups on the future course of action.
The district hopes to have that master plan in place by the spring of 2020, and will start implementing it in 2021 after a public engagement process.
Larry Murray says
Where is the equal support for an arts & culture centre?
David St Luke says
Why did they wait so long? Everyone could see this coming!! As soon as the Olympics were announced you knew Squamish was going to grow.