Agenda Index City of Vancouver

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

TO:

Vancouver City Council

FROM:

General Manager of Parks and Recreation

SUBJECT:

2000-2002 Capital Plan

 

RECOMMENDATION

COUNCIL POLICY

Council has final approval over the Capital Plan for all civic departments and boards.

DISCUSSION

At its regular meeting of September 21, 1999, City Council approved a 2000 -2002 Capital Plan allocation of $31.5 million for Parks & Recreation. In doing so, Council (1) endorsed a $29.5 million allocation recommended by the City Corporate Management Team and the Capital Plan Staff Review Group, and (2) acted upon the suggestion of the Staff Review Group that Parks and Recreation would be a high priority for a further $2 million should Council decide to make additional funding available.

In its deliberations, Council noted the designated role of Community Centres as post-disaster reception facilities, and asked that the Park Board consider allocating the additional $2 million towards seismic resistance upgrading.

Subsequently, the Park Board has revised its original Capital Plan submission of $34.9 million in accordance with the $31.5 million envelope set by Council. This reduction was achieved by deferring some projects, consolidating others, and in some cases by identifying alternate funding sources.

Responding to Council’s expressed concern with post-disaster readiness, this final versionof the Park Board Capital Plan ensures that two more Community Centres — Mount Pleasant and Renfrew — will be brought up to current seismic standard. As a result, a total of 14 out of a total of 22 community centres will be at or near current code requirement by 2002.

The revised Capital Plan also addresses issues raised by the public during the Board’s earlier consultation process by increasing the amounts allocated to playing fields and neighbourhood park development.

As well, the Capital Plan will continue the restoration of Hastings Park, provide for land acquisition in park deficient neighbourhoods, sustain the street tree management plan, and accomplish a range of park and facility infrastructure updating projects over the next three years.

CONCLUSION

Council is asked to approve the attached Capital Plan, allocating the $31.5 million Park Board envelope approved earlier.

- - - - -

APPENDIX I

CAPITAL PLAN OVERVIEW
by Division/Program/Sub-Program
(‘000s)

Div: FACILITIES Program: Community Centres

Discussion: Over the next decade at least 5 of the City’s community centres will require upgrading to a level comparable to the replacement cost of the facility. It is proposed to accomplish this objective at a rate of one rebuild per Capital Plan cycle, starting with Mt. Pleasant Community Centre, bringing these facilities up to current code, including seismic resistance.
The partial upgrading required at other Centres will be undertaken as opportunities arise. This Capital Plan will address code upgrading of the Renfrew Community Centre Complex and a renovation/expansion of False Creek Community Centre for which matching funding is currently in place. Also included is start up funding for the new Coal Harbour Community Centre.
The balance of proposed spending targets for infrastructure upgrading which cannot be deferred beyond the next Capital Plan cycle.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

1

Van East

Mt. Pleasant Community Centre: Major upgrade or replacement: Mt. Pleasant has been selected as a priority for the following reasons:
· Poor building condition, including seismic resistance,
· Poor program function, and
· Inappropriate location relative to service needs

5000

2

Van East

Renfrew Park Community Centre Complex: Code upgrading, including seismic and access (elevator).

1100

3

Van East
QE

Community Centre major maintenance projects at Hastings (water supply lines and valves); Dunbar (worn linoleum tiles); Marpole Oakridge (gymnasium floor and new ventilation system); West Point Grey-Aberthau (fire sprinklers).

260

4

Stanley

False Creek Community Centre: Facility Expansion to increase program space and upgrade lobby/entrance (Matching funds of $333K available)

425

5

Stanley

Coal Harbour Community Centre: New facility set-up. Furnishing and equipment beyond Developer agreement.

75

      SUBTOTAL:

$6,860

Division: FACILITIES: Program: Major Recreation/Pools

Discussion: Four indoor pools will require extensive upgrading — if not complete replacement — in the near future. The most urgent case is Renfrew Pool; others are Percy Norman, Killarney and the Vancouver Aquatic Centre.
The Aquatic Needs study will determine how best to deal with the aging infrastructure of the other pools listed above.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

6

VanEast

Renfrew Pool: Completely rebuild pool walls, gutters, filters & pumps.

1000

7

Van East
QE
Stanley

Required upgrading to various indoor pools:
Lord Byng Pool: Replace ceiling insulation and damaged exterior breezeway canopy; replace air unit and controls:
Templeton Park Pool: Install dehumidifiers, construct chemical storage room (regulatory requirement) and upgrade exterior lighting:
Percy Norman Pool: Upgrade ventilation system and repair tank.
Major maintenance in pools as required

650

8

Stanley

VAC & City Aquatic Needs Study and associated community consultation

125

      SUBTOTAL:

$1,775

Division: FACILITIES: Program: Major Recreation/Rinks

Discussion: Three rinks (Killarney, Trout Lake and Kerrisdale) will require extensive upgrading or replacement in the coming decade. Due to funding limitations no major project is proposed for the upcoming cycle. Instead, the feasibility of twinning one or more of the existing rinks will be explored further, and renovations will be undertaken at six rinks on a priority need basis.

#

District

Description

Allocatio n
[,000]

9

Various

Rink infrastructure upgrades to achieve higher operational efficiencies at Riley; Trout Lake; Kerrisdale; Killarney; Sunset; Kitsilano; West End.

500

      SUBTOTAL:

$500

Division: FACILITIES Program: Facilities general

Discussion: The emphasis in this program area is necessary infrastructure repair work in facilities throughout the parks and recreation system. Two high profile but poorly functioning concession buildings will be rebuilt, in order to increase Board revenues. Financial accounting will be enhanced by point-of-sale upgrades and the implementation of a photo ID pass system.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

10

All

Washroom upgrade and updating of 12 washrooms at the beaches and Stanley Park.

450

11

Stanley

Concessions: Replace/rebuild two concession buildings

950

12

All

Fieldhouses: Complete 6 fieldhouse renovations from priority list of 22 identified sites and related small facility

250

13

QE

Van Dusen Gardens: Upgrade heating system.

75

14

All

Asbestos abatement: Continue mandated program.

400

15

All

Computer systems upgrading and photo ID project implementation

350

16

All

Point of Sale upgrading: Replace 76 cash registers at income facilities

250

17

All

Repaint 9 facilities as per long term repainting schedule

475

18

All

Roof replacement as per replacement plan.

1000

19

All Districts

General Facility Improvements: Planning and project design for minor facility development and upgrading

$450

   

SUBTOTAL:

$4,650

Division: PARKS Program: General Parks

Discussion: The emphasis in general parks is to maintain and update neighbourhood parks, beaches and green spaces to provide a mix of passive and active park amenities. Infrastructure maintenance is also a key component. Planned new services include a skateboard park and outdoor sports courts for youth. The Neighbourhood Matching Fund program will also continue.

#

District

Description

Allocatio n
[,000]

20

Stanley
Van East

Skateboard facility development: (1) Build a “street” style skateboard park in the downtown core (site selection yet to be finalized) and (2) repair China Creek Park Skateboard Bowl.

235

21

All

Asphalt/hard surface drainage: Priority road paving in Stanley and Queen Elizabeth Parks.

1000

22

QE Stanley

Beaches and shoreline protection: Ongoing major maintenance to preserve Vancouver’s recreational shoreline and beaches, including Devonian Park riparian repair.

200

23

All

Playing Fields: Replace synthetic turf field at Eric Hamber, and additional playfield upgrading from priority list. Proposed allocation is additional to (1) $750k in Hamber/Livingston field revenues and planned playing field development at Hastings Park in 2001 (2 combined baseball/soccer).

1300

24

All Districts

Irrigation: Replace/install irrigation systems: Kitsilano Beach, Thornton & Nelson Pks, English Bay, Quilchena, Spanish Bank.

150

25

All Districts

Park planning: Develop and evaluate policies and proposals for new and existing parks.

180

26

All Districts

New park development: Development of new parkland acquired through Capital Plan funds and developer levies.

320

27

All Districts

Neighbourhood park improvements: Ongoing upgrading and beautification, including: landscaping, picnic table installation/replacement, tree planting and bench, arbour and walkway construction. Priorities to be set in consultation with affected neighbourhoods for the following parks: Strathcona, Everett Crowley, Grays, Slocan, Grimmet, Victoria, Heather, Douglas, Braemer, with contingency for unforeseen projects.

1275

 

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

28

All

Playgrounds upgrading/replacement to ensure user safety and enhance play value. Priority sites are: Balaclava (Junior and Senior); Clark; Delamont, Falaise (Junior); Grays; Mt. Pleasant; Trout Lake (Preschool); Braemer; Burrardview; Earls; Glen; 5th & Carolina; Kerrisdale; Centennial; New Brighton.

450

29

All

Sport courts: Build 2-3 new hard surface play areas for youth basketball, street hockey, etc. Tentatively identified conversions involve (1) Renfrew Park lacrosse box, and (2) 2 of 4 tennis courts at Pandora Park

200

30

All

Tennis Courts: Upgrading to court surfaces, fencing, gates and seating to maintain a reasonable standard of play.

250

31

All

Neighbourhood Matching Fund: Continue program of providing matching funds to parks and recreation related community initiatives.

150

   

SUBTOTAL:

$5,710

Division: PARKS Program: Parks Major/Hastings

Discussion: Funding is required to continue the phased conversion of Hastings Park from an asphalted area mainly used for commercial events to a major urban greenspace. The Capital Plan allocation of
$5 M will be supplemented by funds from other sources (including lease revenues and fundraising) to a target of $10.5 million.
The program for the next three years has been jointly determined by Council and the Board:
2000: Construction of active areas adjacent to Renfrew Street (tennis courts, children’s play, etc)
2001: Empire Bowl (2 community soccer fields/baseball diamonds) and associated landscaping
2002: Stream/pond extension (extension of the “Sanctuary” towards New Brighton Park)

In addition, New Brighton Park has been radically altered by the construction of the new Port Road Overpass, the Alberta Wheat Pool Road, and recently in-filled areas at the foreshore. Current budgets are insufficient to complete the community-endorsed plan, an additional $250K is required.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

32

Van East

Hastings and New Brighton Park Complete phases 3 &4 of Hastings Park Restoration Plan and New Brighton Park redevelopment.

5250

   

SUBTOTAL:

$5,250

Division: PARKS Program: Parks Major/Queen Elizabeth

Discussion: The Park Board has approved a long term vision for Queen Elizabeth Park that was developed through an intensive public process. The goal of the long term vision is to ensure the continued vitality of the park environment and continued viability as a major destination for residents and tourists alike, while guiding the restoration of the GVRD water reservoir and its environs in a appropriate direction.
Essential mechanical upgrading at Bloedel Conservatory is also funded.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

33

QE

Queen Elizabeth Park Plan: First phase implementation: view management, picnic site improvements, landscaping design for reservoir area.

500

34

Bloedel Conservatory: Replace relief dampers and controls; upgrade humidifying system.

75

   

SUBTOTAL:

$575

Division: PARKS Program: Parks Major/Stanley

Discussion: Proposed spending in Stanley Park is focussed on essential upgrading and infrastructure repair projects.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

35

  

Seawall: repair/upgrading:
· Rebuild 200 m stone balustrade at the Coal Harbour entrance to the Park.
· Continue next phase Seawall pedestrian/bike separation, with the objective of increased user safety.

800

36

Prospect Point: Continuation of the annual cliff scaling program to limit risk of rock fall onto Seawall

180

37

Electrical: Upgrading of electrical service in the Park to provide a high voltage feeder for the annual Christmas Display and other functions at the Miniature Train area.

200

38

Service Yard mandated upgrades:
· Upgrade fuel dispensing facility
· Rebuild or relocate Saw Shop to provide the level of ventilation stipulated by WCB

200

   

SUBTOTALS:

$1,680

Division: PARKS Program: Land Acquisition

Discussion: Board policy is to allocate a minimum of 15% of every Capital Plan to land acquisition. Priorities are (1) park deficient neighbourhoods (i.e., Fairview, Grandview-Woodlands, Mount Pleasant, and Marpole), (2) waterfront access (sites along Burrard Inlet, English Bay and Fraser River are pursued when opportunities arise), and (3) unique natural environments such as the Renfrew Ravine.

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

39

All

Land Acquisition for new park development

3500

   

SUBTOTAL:

$3,500

Division: PARKS Program: Street Trees

#

District

Description

Allocation
[,000]

40

All

Street Trees: Continue implementation of the Street Tree Management Plan

1000

      SUBTOTALS:

$1,000

      GRAND TOTAL 2000 -2002 Capital Plan:

$31,500

* * * * *

ag991005.htm

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