MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE KAMLOOPS PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014, AT 7:00 AM IN THE TOURNAMENT CAPITAL CENTRE, MEETING ROOM "D" RECOMMENDATION: That Council authorize the following Winter Games Legacy Fund Grant applications: Devon Moonie requesting assistance to attend the Canadian Cyclocross Championships in Winnipeg, MB, October 25, 2014; and Sahali Secondary Junior Girls Volleyball Team requesting assistance to attend the 2014 BC Junior Girls Volleyball Provincial Championships in Delta, BC, November 21-22, 2014. $150 $300 PRESENT: REGRETS: C. Bruce, Citizen at Large, Chair D. Bernardo, Citizen at Large E. Green, Citizen at Large P. Nixon, Citizen at Large K. Scollon, Citizen at Large S. Cook, Parks Operations Supervisor, City of Kamloops M. Doll, Parks Planning and Sustainability Supervisor, City of Kamloops J. Putnam, Parks and Civic Facilities Manager, City of Kamloops V. Lyons, Office Services Supervisor, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services, City of Kamloops, Recording Secretary M. Spina, Councillor J. Cowden, School District No. 73 N. DeCicco, Projects and Planning Supervisor, City of Kamloops 1. Agenda Moved by D. Bernardo, seconded by K. Scollon, that the agenda be adopted as presented. 2. Minutes Moved by P. Nixon, seconded by K. Scollon, that the minutes of the September 17, 2014, meeting be received.
Page 2 3. Dogs in Parks Update - S. Cook S. Cook presented a brief PowerPoint to the committee highlighting the following: Approximately half a million dog waste bags are used each year; Dog walking is a very popular outdoor activity; Dog walking is controversial, and dog issues generate a lot of calls; Primary concern is dog owners neglecting to pick up waste; Other concerns relate to safety and conflicts in off-leash areas other than dog parks; Focus on a five-year plan - dog park upgrades will start in 2015; and Recommendation 5.8.5 from the Parks Master Plan - allow dogs on leash along the portion of Rivers Trail from the pedestrian bridge to MacKenzie Avenue. S. Cook noted, as per recommendation 5.8.5 of the Parks Master Plan, a report to Council will be presented with recommendations to allow dogs on leash on a trial basis on the Rivers Trail portion of McArthur Island Park from the pedestrian bridge to MacKenzie Avenue. The Council report is expected to be presented in January or February 2015, with rollout in March, based on Council's concurrence and feedback. The committee discussed the presentation and identified issues if on-leash dog walking is allowed at McArthur Island Park, including: Concerns for safety of children and around sport fields; Need highly visible trail signage for dog walkers; Increasing off-leash fines; and Challenges of enforcement by City staff and sharing narrow pathway with roller bladers, walkers, runners, and people pushing strollers. Moved by C. Bruce, seconded by E. Green, that the Parks and Recreation Committee support the proposal to allow dogs, on leash only, on the Rivers Trail from the pedestrian bridge to Mackenzie Avenue. 4. Parks Capital Projects Update - S. Cook West Highlands Park (former Aberdeen Golf Course) Soccer Fields: - Retaining wall for east field was completed this summer; - Field drainage and final grading work are complete; and - Irrigation and turf will be completed in 2015. Multi-use Perimeter Path: - Pathway lighting to be completed in December 2014; and - 1.8 km multi-use path is paved.
Page 3 Former Clubhouse Building: - Plan is for City staff to renovate the building over the winter into a community centre; - Parking will be formalized as part of the building renovation; and - It will have solar panels on the roof to supplement hydro. Miscellaneous: - Currently working on formalized landscaping drawings for the area around the clubhouse; and - Will start adding park furniture, scenic lookouts, and other similar amenities on the pathway. Kamloops Longboard Park Park is now open for use; Official grand opening was on October 3, 2014; Is the first of its kind in North America; Amenities include picnic tables, benches, shelter, trees, grass, garbage bins, and a pit toilet; More signs and a drinking fountain will be added in the spring; and Has been a very successful and popular park and has received international exposure through social media. Campbell Creek Playground and Park The park is now complete and open. Dufferin Park Staff have improved internal trails and built a boardwalk over the wet area; Building a bike skills park for younger children; and Continuing to monitor groundwater levels to determine feasibility of constructing a pond/wetland feature. Westsyde Water Spray Park The washroom/change room building is complete; Extreme Excavating was the successful contractor for the civic works, which will begin December 2014; and A request for proposals will be issued for the spray park over the winter, with the installation expected in early spring 2015, weather permitting.
Page 4 Tournament Capital Ranch Agricultural Land Commission Application The application is for Phase 2 of the property; Proposed uses include a destination water park, a multi-purpose exhibition centre, an agricultural production area, and a park area with a perimeter multi-use trail; Public engagement sessions (two farmers' market sessions, two open houses, and an online survey) are complete; a lot of excellent feedback was received; Public input was finalized into a summary report; The draft application to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is almost complete and was brought to Council on November 25, 2014, to seek a resolution to formally apply to the ALC; and All current information is posted on the City website. BMX Track on Ord Road The track is close to completion, except for the electrical connection to the starting gate; The washroom building is partially finished and will be completed by the BMX Club; Site amenities and improvements will be added in spring 2015; and The site of the former track (at McArthur Island Park) will be converted to overflow parking in 2015. Community Gardens Very high demand, with many residents on waitlists; and Looking at possible future sites at West Highlands Park, Juniper, Valleyview, Dufferin, and the west end of Riverside Park. Gender-neutral Washroom - Riverside Park Staff are reviewing options with $120,000 allocated for improved access to safe washrooms that are fully accessible and gender-neutral. A report with recommendations will be brought to Council in 2015. A follow-up discussion and feedback took place. 5. Follow-up Discussion and Feedback Longboard Park Feedback has been received from Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Chicago, and Minneapolis. There have been over 100,000 hits on the longboard video. Worked with Risk Management to meet signage requirements. Looking forward to working with the longboarding community in hosting future events.
Page 5 Riverside Park All gravel pathways are now paved. Information was requested as to why a number of trees have been removed from the bank/hill in front of the tennis courts below the railway tracks. It was noted that the vision was to open up the park for security reasons. This came from the Parks Master Plan. Path running between Pioneer Park and Riverside Park - plans are to raise the path and install a wall to assist with flooding issues. Peterson Creek Impressed with the trail upgrades on the west side of the canyon along with the leveling and addition of gravel to the slide areas. Requested timeline for repairs resulting from flooding on the east side. It was advised this work would take place in spring 2015. It was noted that two toilets will be installed at the park next year. Kenna Cartwright Park New parking lot and gazebo look great. Compliments to the staff for the work done at the entrance to the park. Ida Lane Parking The location is a popular access to Deep Lake with no designated public parking. Moved by C. Bruce, seconded by P. Nixon, that the City explore the possibility of parking spaces for access to Deep Lake trail and the grasslands area. 6. 2015 Communities in Bloom Conference - S. Cook S. Cook presented a video showcasing Kamloops that was shared at the recent Communities In Bloom conference in Prince Edward Island. Kamloops will be hosting the 2015 National CIB conference, September 30-October, 2015. The theme will be "A Community Re-defined". Anyone who has any ideas or suggestions or is interested in volunteering should contact S. Cook directly. 7. Winter Games Legacy Fund Grant Applications Moved by P. Nixon, seconded by E. Green, that Council authorize the following Winter Games Legacy Fund Grant applications: Devon Moonie requesting assistance to attend the Canadian Cyclocross Championships in Winnipeg, MB, October 25, 2014; and $150
Page 6 Sahali Secondary Junior Girls Volleyball Team requesting assistance to attend the 2014 BC Junior Girls Volleyball Provincial Championships in Delta, BC, November 21-22, 2014. $300 The committee reviewed the application revision to incorporate the request for successful applicants to provide feedback as part of their application. It was recommended the wording on the application be revised to "Would you be willing to share the impact of your experience, either in person or in writing to the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting". 8. Community Assistance Grant Application The Heffley Creek Community Recreation Association(HCCRA) requested assistance for the replacement of the Heffley Creek Hall's emergency exit doors. Kamloops Fire Rescue has presented the HCCRA with a fire inspection report stating the exit doors have "non-approved locking devices". Due to the nature of the request as a capital improvement, the committee has requested that B. Chobater attend the next meeting to provide additional information. Consideration for this request has been moved to the next meeting scheduled for March 4, 2015. 9. Parks and Recreation Committee Positions Update - J. Putnam The committee currently has two vacancies to be filled. C. Bruce is ineligible for reappointment as she has reached the maximum number of terms that can be served, as per the committee's Terms of Reference, and L. Bosch resigned this past summer. Applications from members of the public will be accepted to December 5, 2014. K. Scollen and P. Nixon are eligible for one more term and have both indicated they wish to be reappointed. Election of the new Committee Chair will take place at the next scheduled meeting on March 4, 2015. J. Putnam will Chair this meeting. C. Bruce will attend as a guest. 10. New Business An update was requested on the possibility of an outdoor basketball court in the downtown area. It was advised the City is working with K. Olynyk of TRU Athletics on this request via his son, Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics. J. Putnam reported the Four Nations Cup event recently held in Kamloops was a huge success, with the event's highest ever attendance at the final game (5,600). J. Putnam shared the 2016 IHHF Women Worlds Hockey Championship promotional video. The event will be co-hosted at the Interior Savings Centre and MacArthur Island Sport and Event Centre in April 2016.
Page 7 11. Next Meeting The next meeting will be held on March 4, 2015, 7:00 am, at the Tournament Capital Centre. 12. Adjournment Moved by K. Scollon, seconded by P. Nixon, that the meeting be adjourned. The meeting adjourned at 10:48 am. V. Lyons, Recording Secretary Office Services Supervisor, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services C. Bruce, Chair VL/lm