April 29, 2025 - Minutes
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Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Councillor Chak Au, Chair |
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Also Present: |
Councillor Carol Day |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. |
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MINUTES |
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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 March 25, 2025, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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PARKS, RECREATION & CULTURE DIVISION |
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1. |
Recreation and Sport Strategy Progress Update 2022–2024 (File Ref. No. 01-0370-20-003) (REDMS No. 7969764) |
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Staff presented a video highlighting the Recreation and Sport Strategy Update (copy on file, City Clerk’s Office). |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) Richmond offers a variety of programs through community centres and associations that are designed to engage and appeal to the City's large senior population, (ii) further information regarding the potential development of a covered lacrosse box, as identified in the sports facility needs assessment, will be brought forward for Council’s consideration later this year, (iii) in addition to maintaining waitlists for programs that reach capacity, participation statistics are monitored and used to inform the planning of programs and services, (iv) the Barnsley Lifeguard Championship originated in 1936 and was hosted by Richmond for the first time in 2024, and (v) while Jumpstart is not a regular partner the City meets with, individuals are still referred to Jumpstart through the KidSport program for additional support. |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the involvement of all departments in the Official Community Plan (OCP) review, (ii) the depiction of parks in the OCP land use map, (iii) the possibility of increasing gym and sport court access for youth, (iv) the $29 Summer Active Pass, which provides unlimited access to select drop-in activities, including swimming, skating, pitch and putt golf and more for a one-time price for those aged five to 18 years, (v) Bike to School Week and the potential to expand the program to further engage youth and students in active transportation education, and (vi) the Strategy’s activities, which will benefit from sustained efforts through to 2026, with a progress update for 2025 and 2026 to be provided in Q1 of 2027. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the achievements document, Recreation and Sport Strategy Progress Update 2022–2024, Attachment 1, in the staff report titled “Recreation and Sport Strategy 2022–2024”, dated April 7, 2025, from the Director, Recreation and Sport Services, be posted on the City website and circulated to key community partners including Richmond School District No. 38, Vancouver Coastal Health, Community Recreation Associations and Societies, and Richmond Sports Council for their information. |
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CARRIED |
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2. |
STeveston Community Centre and Library Interior Artwork Concept Proposal |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) further refinements to the artwork design, (ii) the breakdown of the budget for the Steveston Community Centre and Library interior artwork, (iii) obtaining quotes from multiple vendors for the fabrication and installation of the artwork as part of the City’s procurement process, and (iv) natural and accent lighting around the artwork in the facility. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the concept proposal for the Steveston Community Centre and Library Interior Artwork, as presented in the staff report titled “Steveston Community Centre and Library Interior Artwork Concept Proposal”, dated April 7, 2025, from the Director, Arts, Culture and Heritage Services, be approved. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Railway Greenway Lighting – 2025 Update |
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Discussion ensued regarding (i) the difference between the current lighting proposal and the previous recommendation, (ii) the use of standard lighting rather than solar lighting where a longer continuous stretch of lighting is required or where adjacent lighting areas exist and can share a single service connection, (iii) the proposed distance between the standard pedestrian lights, (iv) the installation timeline, (v) the estimated cost, including the approximate proportion of solar lights versus standard lights, (vi) light shielding options including deflectors that can be added post-construction if necessary, (vii) the use of solar pedestrian lights as part of the recommended hybrid lighting approach, and (viii) the estimated lifespan of solar lights. |
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In response to queries from Committee, staff advised that (i) the decision regarding the specific placement of the lights is yet to be determined and will be made at the detailed design stage, with consideration given to minimizing light spillage impact on nearby residences and wildlife, (ii) during the 2024 public engagement process, a total of 529 people responded, with 78.5% in favour of lighting, and (iii) mitigation measures including utilizing luminaires with adequate house-side and up-light shielding and lighting controls will be considered through the detailed design stage. |
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Further discussion ensued regarding the cost of the lighting along the Steveston Highway Multi-Use Pathway (MUP), and staff advised that a memorandum outlining the differences in the project scope between the Steveston Highway MUP and the Railway Greenway lighting will be provided. |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That Option 1, “Hybrid of Standard and Solar Pedestrian Lighting”, as outlined in the report titled “Railway Greenway Lighting – 2025 Update”, dated April 7, 2025, from the Director, Parks Services, be endorsed. |
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CARRIED Opposed: Cllr. Wolfe |
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4. |
MANAGER’S REPORT |
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(i) |
No. 3 Road Bark Park Update |
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Staff advised that the enhancements to No. 3 Road Bark Park were completed and the park reopened to the public on April 14, 2025. |
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(ii) |
Nesting Activity |
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Discussion ensued regarding the nesting activity of birds and urban wildlife in Richmond parks, and staff advised that, while such activity is not typically monitored, Parks operations crews on-site report observations and will continue to do so. |
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Further discussion ensued regarding Richmond wildlife. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:53 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 and Cultural Services Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. |
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_________________________________ |
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Councillor Chak Au |
Shannon Unrau |