February 26, 2008 - Minutes
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Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Linda Barnes, Chair Councillor Cynthia Chen Councillor Harold Steves |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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1A. |
It was moved and seconded |
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That the order of the agenda be varied to consider the addition of Item 3A (Don Luxton and Janet Leduc, Arlington Group – Planning and Architecture Inc., Richmond Museum Feasibility Study) and Item 4A Update on Odlin Park). |
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CARRIED |
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MINUTES |
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1. |
It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Tuesday, January 29, 2008, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE |
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2. |
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room. |
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DELEGATIONS |
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3. |
Mike Pearce, John MS Lecky Boathouse – Update on the first year of activities and programs | |
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Mike Redpath, Manager, Parks - Programs, Planning & Design advised that the John MS Lecky Boathouse (the Boathouse) has entered into a long term agreement for the use of the City’s submerged lands on the Middle Arm. A requirement of that agreement is that the Boathouse report each year the performance measures that are attached to the lease agreement, which specify the community programs that are to be run out of the facility. Mr. Redpath introduced Mike Pearce as the Head Coach and General Manager of the Boathouse. | |
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Using a power point presentation, (a copy is on file in the City Clerk’s Office), Mr. Pearce reviewed the Boathouse’s activities and the following was noted: | |
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from October 2006 to October 2007 – the facility had 1300 participants; 24% more than the requirement set out in the lease agreement; 70% of those participants were Richmond residents; |
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public access is provided through community rowing and dragon boat programs, events, and hall rentals; |
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the rowing program consists of Community Corporate Challenge Teams, Dynamic Opportunities for Youth, Learn to Row, Adult League, and Junior Team; |
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the dragon boat program is comprised of six teams, summer camps for kids, and two low asset youth teams; |
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the Boathouse hosted three major events in 2007: (i) Community Corporate Challenge; (ii) River Rock Richmond Dragon Boat Festival; and (iii) Head of the Fraser 4s & Undergrad Challenge; |
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the hall had 25 bookings with over 1500 people visiting the facility and 43 weddings have been booked for the 2008 – 2009 calendar years; and |
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in 2008 and 2009, the Boathouse is seeking growth in programs and events, working with local community centre program coordinators to expand public access, acquiring more dragon boating equipment, training the Junior Team to begin competing at the provincial level, and will be a host site for the 2009 BC Senior Games. |
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The Committee was pleased to see the presentation. Discussion ensued among the Committee and Mr. Pearce, and the following advice was provided: | |
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facility fees tend to be low and may vary on factors such as the number of participants; | ||
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low asset youth receive full subsidy for programs and lessons, and there is opportunity to expand this; |
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the facility capacity is 190 people, 150 people can be seated comfortably; | ||
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people older than 50 years of age may participate; | ||
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community access is provided through community rowing and dragon boat programs, events, and hall rentals; | ||
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the City is offered preferential access and rates for up to five bookings per calendar year; | ||
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program maximums are limited to the number of boats permitted on the water and to the ratio of coaches per participants; |
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it is expected that the 2009 BC Senior Games will not apply as one of the City’s five bookings per calendar year; and |
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the Coordinating Committee is comprised of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, Richmond School District, and Boathouse staff and it meets quarterly to review the status of programs and to enhance programs. |
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3A. |
Don Luxton and Janet Leduc, Richmond Museum Feasibility Study, Arlington Group – Planning and Architecture Inc. | |
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Consultant Janet Leduc advised that at the May 29, 2007 Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee meeting, the recommendation that a feasibility study be carried out for a potential new Richmond Museum was adopted. At the centre of the Museum and Heritage Strategy was the creation of a new dynamic destination museum. | |
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With the aid of a power point presentation (a copy is on file in the City Clerk’s Office), Ms. Leduc and Consultant Don Luxton provided the following advice: | |
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stakeholder consultation confirmed that there is interest in seeing Richmond reach out and celebrate its extensive relations to the larger Pacific Rim and be recognized as the Gateway to Canada; |
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centrally located in the Metro Vancouver region, Richmond is an ideal location for a major attraction as it is highly accessible; |
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four key goals have been identified for the feasibility of a new museum: (i) involve and engage the entire community; (ii) position Richmond as the leading integrated museum and heritage destination in the Lower Mainland; (iii) build a new dynamic destination museum; and (iv) create and promote a network of satellite museums, historic sites and heritage areas radiating out of the hub of the new Richmond Museum; |
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the proposed museum must contain sufficient space to accommodate large exhibits as well as revenue generating elements; large touring exhibitions require approximately 7,000 to 10,000 square feet; |
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financial sustainability is based on factors such as rentable spaces throughout the facility, revenue generating elements like a high-end gift shop, and restaurants; cost recovery through admission, membership, and large exhibition fees; and |
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six potential sites have been identified and are being evaluated through the feasibility study process. |
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Discussion ensued among the Committee, the Consultants, and staff and the following information was provided: |
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consultation with Provincial and Federal level staff indicated that funding may be provided if the proposed museum is a high priority for Council; |
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research will be conducted to determine the range of funds other levels of government have provided for similar projects; |
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co-locating with other groups is premature at this point because the project is in the process of determining feasibility; however, it is anticipated that there be potential partnerships with performing arts, cultural, community, and private groups; and |
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the focus of the proposed museum should be to tell the “Richmond Story”. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following motion was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded | ||
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That a special meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee be held in the near future to discuss the Richmond Museum Feasibility Study and that all members of Council be invited to participate. | ||
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CARRIED | ||
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PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
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4. |
2008 Artificial Turf Field Site Recommendation (Report: February 8, 2008, File No.: 06-2345-20-MINO1) (REDMS No. 2330820) | |
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Roger Barnes, 7620 No 2 Road, Richmond Youth Soccer Association and Roy Oostergo, 9391 Glenbrook Drive, Richmond Girls Soccer Association, thanked Council for this project and advised that they enthusiastically support the staff recommendation. | |
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In answer to a query from the Chair, the delegation advised that they are aware of issues pertaining to conflict between users of the artificial turf and users of the oval itself. Mr. Barnes advised that interesting solutions are in the works and that he hopes as many people as possible are involved in the process to ensure satisfaction by all. | |
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Discussion ensued among the Committee and staff and the following information was provided: | |
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the turf will not be completely enclosed; instead it will be enclosed as much as possible without creating physical and visual impediments; |
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the primary reason for perimeter fencing is to keep vehicles off the turf; four feet of perimeter fencing is being proposed at each end of the site; |
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the ability to contain the site completely is available; this creates the opportunity to man gates and create entrance gates for special events; |
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bollard fencing will be maximized in hard surface areas and cannot be used in grassed areas due to footing requirements; and |
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the stadium’s roof will be monitored and replaced when necessary. |
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Peter Mitchell, 6271 Nanika Crescent, addressed Committee on behalf of the City Centre Community Association (the Association) and made the following points: (i) this site is used for City Centre celebrations; (ii) the Association can coexist with an artificial turf; (iii) construction of the turf is scheduled at the same time of a City Centre event and with the aid of Parks staff, Mr. Mitchell is confident a unique event will take place; and (iv) the Association supports the field and its construction schedule. | |
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As an individual, Mr. Mitchell would like to see an artificial turf that can be utilized by football players. Also, he believes that the proposed turf’s four foot fence should be raised to two metres to avoid the potential loss of event revenues. | |
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Dave Semple, Director of Parks and Public Works Operations addressed the Committee and stated specific fencing materials are available to avoid any loss revenues from people looking or climbing over the fence. In addition, Mr. Semple will further explore fencing solutions. | |
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In response to a query from the Chair, Mr. Redpath advised that the approved budget is on track; however, construction costs continue to go up and exact numbers will not be available until the tender process is completed. | |
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Mr. Redpath advised that site preparation on the King George location is underway and that it is anticipated that the tender process begin immediately for the Minoru Park Oval, and that both fields be open by October 2008. | |
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It was moved and seconded | |
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That the Minoru Park Oval field be approved as the location for construction of an artificial turf sports field in 2008. | |
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CARRIED | |
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4A. |
UPDATE ON ODLIN PARK |
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Mr. Semple advised Committee that two parks were damaged by vandalism: General Currie and Odlin. Crown Counsel has identified those responsible for the damage at Odlin Park and is working with Mr. Semple to find an appropriate solution. It is anticipated that the General Currie Park go to tender in approximately a month, followed by the Odlin Park tender in the subsequent three weeks. |
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5. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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No report was given. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (5:08 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008. |
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Councillor Linda Barnes |
Hanieh Floujeh |