Collaboration on West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: July 11, 2024 FROM: Scott Sommerville, CAO MEETING DATE: July 16, 2024

Collaboration on West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT staff work with the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society to develop a collaborative West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan;

AND THAT the Town of View Royal provide West Shore Parks and Recreation Society with $17,790 funded from Casino Revenue as part of the $140,000 project to prepare a West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.

ALTERNATIVES:

THAT staff inform West Shore Parks and Recreation Society that the Town is not willing to contribute financially to the West Shore Regional Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.

PURPOSE:

A meeting of the West Shore Mayors, Chief Administrative Officers, and the Chief Administrative Officer of West Shore Parks and Recreation Society (“WSPRS”) was held on June 25, 2024. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the benefits of a regional approach to assessing the current and future recreational needs of the West Shore.

There was consensus at this meeting that the West Shore municipalities (Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Metchosin and Highlands) should collaborate on a master plan to ensure that there is no duplication of costly recreational facilities.

TIME CRITICAL:

With Langford examining its options regarding the YMCA-YWCA Westhills facility and Colwood considering the construction of a new recreation facility in Royal Bay, these two West Shore municipalities are facing considerable escalation of recreational costs. Prior to making decisions on these assets, Langford and Colwood would like to investigate regional collaboration to provide these recreation facilities.

Langford and Colwood would like to initiate the Master Planning process this fall in advance of the WSPRS budgeting cycle.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

If View Royal participates in the WSPRS Master Plan, it is anticipated that a steering committee will be struck, consisting of Mayors and CAOs from the participating municipalities. The CAOs and the WSPRS CAO will serve as a working group to manage the Master Planning project, and the WSPRS Board of Directors will be engaged.

Details of the deliverables are contained within the attached email from Grant Brown, CAO of WSPRS. It is expected that a Request for Proposals (RFP) would be issued in the fall of 2024, and that the project will take 12-18 months to complete.

BACKGROUND:

The West Shore Parks and Recreation Society began operating, maintaining and managing recreation facilities on behalf of West Shore municipalities in 2001. As a trusted and well-established society, there was support from the west shore municipalities to have WSPRS manage the master planning process.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

Aside from the $17,790 for View Royal’s share of the Master Plan, it can be anticipated that View Royal will be asked to participate in expanded West Shore recreation offerings. Participation in expanded recreational opportunities within the West Shore is expected to come with a hefty price tag for View Royal taxpayers.

WSPRS has a budget set aside to start a Master Plan for their operations. Langford had funding set aside for a Langford-specific recreation facilities master plan, which may be redirected towards a regional master plan.

The budgeted 2024 requisition for View Royal’s participation in WSPR is $768,644.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

WSPRS plans to assess future recreational needs through consultation with the residents of each participating municipality, and through consultation with major user groups and sports organizations. A communications plan would also be developed.

POLICY ALIGNMENT:

Participation in the WSPRS Master planning process aligns with View Royal’s 2024-2026 strategic plan goals:

• The Town of View Royal pursues community excellence through a corporate culture that is collaborative.
• Demonstrating collaborative leadership and effective shared decision-making with our regional partners, including First Nations.

CONCLUSION:

Working collaboratively with our neighbouring municipalities is a strategic priority. It could be argued that View Royal residents are receiving the benefits of neighbouring recreational offerings (outside of WSPR) without paying their fair share. It can be expected that participating in the Master Planning process is a prelude to a considerable ask from View Royal taxpayers to participate in cost-sharing of costly recreation facilities in Langford and Colwood.

SUBMITTED BY:

Scott Sommerville Chief Administrative Officer

ATTACHMENTS:

1. West Shore Parks & Recreation Facility Master Plan Funding Request.pdf