October 28, 2014 - Minutes

Date:

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Harold Steves, Chair
Councillor Ken Johnston
Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Bill McNulty

Absent:

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Also Present:

Councillor Linda McPhail

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee held on Wednesday, September 24, 2014, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE

Tuesday, November 25, 2014, (tentative date) at 4:00 p.m. in the Anderson Room

The Chair advised that Richmond Curling Centre will be considered as Item No. 2A, Steveston Waterfront Plan will be considered as Item No. 2B, Richmond Amateur Radio Club will be considered at Item No. 2C, and Artificial Turf will be considered as Item No. 2D.

PRESENTATIONS

1.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) Mike Fletcher, together with Jonathan Kallner, Richmond Soccer Association (RSA), provided an overview of organized soccer in the city and spoke on:

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the diversity of participants in organized soccer;

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enrolment statistics;

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efforts to keep organized soccer affordable for participants and maintain volunteerism;

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the need for upgrades at the Hugh Boyd Community Park soccer facility, including a clubhouse with washroom and change room facilities;

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safety concerns regarding the distance of washrooms from the playing fields;

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the inadequacy of existing facilities to deliver all programs and events; and

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the RSA’s commitment of $150,000 committed by the Richmond Soccer Association towards the construction of a soccer clubhouse at Hugh Boyd Community Park.

In reply to queries from Committee regarding the location of existing soccer facilities at Hugh Boyd Community Park, Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Kallner advised that (i) current washroom facilities are far from the playing fields, (ii) there are no change rooms available, (iii) soccer players are not permitted to use the West Richmond Community Centre’s washroom facilities, and (iv) the site had portable washroom facilities, however they were damaged due to fire last year.

Discussion ensued regarding other users of the soccer facilities that could potentially contribute to upgrading the site.

Mr. Fletcher noted that the proposed clubhouse could also be utilized for other programs such as childcare and fitness services.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Kallner advised that the placement of the proposed clubhouse would be subject to a feasibility study but would need to be in a location that is well lit and easily accessible to the fields.

Discussion ensued regarding contributions made by other community groups and in reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Fletcher advised that a feasibility study on upgrading the soccer facilities at Hugh Boyd Community Park was completed in 2008, however due to unfavourable economic conditions, action was delayed.

Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Kallner noted that the proposed clubhouse would be approximately 8000 square feet and that conceptual designs are available.

Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the 2008 feasibility study and the estimated costs of the project, (ii) a practical and functional design for the proposed clubhouse, (iii) possible partnerships with other stakeholders to fund the proposed project, (iv) the preferred size of the clubhouse, (v) the current estimated costs of the proposed project and an update of the 2008 feasibility study, (vi) the Hugh Boyd Community Park master plan, and (vii) the potential use of artificial turf at the park.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine concepts for upgrading sports facilities at Hugh Boyd Community Park including the field and clubhouse, in partnership with community soccer associations and the Richmond Sports Council and report back.

CARRIED

2.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office), Gregg Wheeler, Manager, Sports and Community Events, briefed Committee on the Physical Literacy program and spoke on:

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the challenges related to increasing physical activity among children and youth;

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development of a physical literacy instruction manual;

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programs offered throughout the City’s community centres to different age groups that promote increasing physical literacy;

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training received by recreation staff on National Community Coaching Program (NCCP-FMS) and the instruction manual;

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the branding and promotion of the Physical Literacy program;

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the promotion of fundamental movement skills by the Physical Literacy program;

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the Canadian Sport for Life – Long Term Athlete Development Model as it relates to the programs offered by the Richmond Olympic Oval, community services and community sport groups; and

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grants and collaboration with external organizations.

Discussion ensued regarding promoting skills development to individuals not involved in traditional sports programs.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Wheeler advised that (i) promotion of the physical literacy is focused on children aged two to twelve, (ii) development of fundamental physical skills have applications beyond sports, (iii) staff have partnered with the Richmond School District No. 38 to explore opportunities to promote the program to various cultural groups, and (iv) staff can examine opportunities to promote the program within private schools.

Mr. Wheeler then advised that staff have presented the program to Richmond elementary school principals. Also, he noted that staff examined comparable programs offered in other municipalities in order to develop this program.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced:

It was moved and seconded

That staff make a presentation regarding the Physical Literacy program to the Council/School Board Liaison Committee.

CARRIED

2A.

RIchmond Curling Centre
(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued regarding correspondence submitted by the Richmond Curling Centre (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office) and the upcoming lease renewal.

As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced.

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine the report submitted by the Richmond Curling Centre and the upcoming lease renewal of the Richmond Curling Centre facility and report back.

The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued, and in reply to queries from Committee, Serena Lusk, Senior Manager, Recreation and Sport Services, advised that the City has scheduled a meeting with the Richmond Curling Centre.

The question on the referral was then called and it was CARRIED.

2B.

Steveston Waterfront Plan

(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued and staff were directed to update Council on the Steveston Waterfront Plan.

2C.

Richmond Amateur Radio Club

(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued with respect to the Richmond Amateur Radio Club’s activities and concerns that the Club may have to relocate.

Committee directed staff to provide a memorandum to Council regarding the Richmond Amateur Radio Club’s activities.

2D.

Artificial Turf

(File Ref. No.)

Discussion ensued regarding media coverage on the safety of artificial turf materials and communication with the city’s soccer community.

Mike Redpath, Senior Manager, Parks, commented on the installation of artificial turf at City facilities and noted research material indicates that artificial turf materials are safe.

Discussion ensued with regard to consulting with the soccer community in the city, as well as with Vancouver Coastal Health regarding the safety of artificial turf materials.

In reply to queries from Committee, Mr. Redpath advised that an information bulletin can be released to inform the public on the use of artificial turf in the City.

Discussion ensued with respect to (i) public perception of the safety of artificial turf versus evidence based research material, (ii) the potential to examine the studies used to determine the safety of artificial turf materials, and (iii) the types of materials used in the construction of artificial turf.

Cathryn Volkering Carlile, General Manager, Community Services, noted that the report on artificial turf presented in the media was not a study and was in fact anecdotal. She added that current studies indicate that there is no evidence that artificial turf materials pose a safety risk.

Discussion then took place regarding communicating factual information about artificial turf to the public.

3.

MANAGER’S REPORT

(i)

2014 Halloween Events

Marie Fenwick, Manager, Parks Programs, provided a brief overview of Halloween events in the city including (i) Halloween Tours at the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, (ii) Wild Things event at the Richmond Nature Park, (iii) fireworks displays at Minoru Park, Sea Island, West Richmond, Hamilton and South Arm Community Centres, and (iv) Halloween skating at the Minoru and Richmond Olympic Oval arenas.

Ms. Fenwick spoke of security efforts scheduled for Halloween and advised that staff coordinated with Richmond Fire-Rescue, Richmond RCMP, Bylaws division, Transit Police and facilities’ caretakers.

(ii)

Geo-Quest – Geocaching Program at the Richmond Nature Park

Ms. Fenwick spoke of the launch of the geocaching program at the Richmond Nature Park and noted that there currently 30 geocach sites in the city.

In reply to queries from Committee, Ms. Fenwick advised that the geocach sites are designed to have an educational theme and to ensure that support materials are available to students. She added that the geocaching program is currently not linked to the community services app, however options to use the app to promote the program will be examined in the future.

(iii)

Introduction of Manager for Aquatic, Arena and Fitness Services

Ms. Lusk introduced John Woolgar as the new Manager for Aquatic, Arena and Fitness Services, and spoke of Mr. Woolgar’s experience in recreation.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:03 p.m.).

CARRIED

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, October 28, 2014.

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Councillor Harold Steves
Chair

Evangel Biason
Auxiliary Committee Clerk