Improvements to Parksville Community Park Continue

January 19, 2023

City planning is well underway to improve amenities in the 100-year-old Parksville Community Park. Improvements to take place in 2023 will make the park more enjoyable for park users. Improvements will include expanded safety and accessibility for users, address the need for multiuse facilities while providing project coordination to ensure efficiencies and cost savings. The Parksville Outdoor Theatre, a major new amenity completed in 2022, is now operated and managed by the Parksville Beach Festival Society.

The Parksville Community Park is a popular and valuable recreational amenity for residents and visitors. As the work progresses over the next six months on this major City initiative, there will be significant disruptions in areas of the park and the City will keep park visitors informed as the projects progress. We do appreciate the public’s patience as we complete the projects listed here:

Parksville Community Park Gathering Plaza
Identified as a short-term action item in the 2017 Community Park Master Plan, the plaza will serve as the focal point for activity in the park and provide a space for food services, music, art, and gathering.

The Tula Project - Landscape Architects, have been retained for the design, professional coordination, and construction management for the plaza. The tender for construction was issued in December and works will include demolition of existing hardscape, site preparation, tree protection, plaza and path paving, seating, tables and benches, new curbing, shade canopy, bike racks, waste receptacles, landscaping, electrical and potable water services to support food trucks and performances, stormwater management and drainage, and outdoor shower relocation.

Construction is scheduled to begin in February. The park will be open during construction; however, the plaza project will include the area surrounding the washroom and Sandcastle Drive with expected closures during construction. Portable washrooms will be provided for public use and while Sandcastle Drive is closed, the north end of the park will be best accessed by parking in the large gravel parking lot behind the curling rink and walking along the access road.

Sports Court Resurfacing
Constructed in the 1970s, the tennis courts have been updated over time. With the demand for dedicated court space for pickleball, the City will convert one of the two tennis courts to four dedicated pickleball courts and also repair, resurface and repaint the play area to accommodate four dedicated pickleball courts, one tennis court with additional pickleball line painting for temporary use, and install fencing to separate the users. Construction is set to begin in March; courts will be closed as well as periodic closure of adjacent pathways.

Washroom Building
In 2021, Council approved the continued use of the Kin Hut washrooms and funding of $499,000 for a new washroom building. To be constructed near the southwest corner of the large gravel parking lot behind the curling rink, the building will provide accessible male and female services and outdoor showers. Construction is set to begin in March and the area will be closed during construction.

Volleyball Events Area
A new staging and spectator area for beach volleyball is being developed to better support events and allow improved viewing. Upgrades to the volleyball court area also include fencing to control errant balls from conflicts with vehicles and other park users play. New pedestrian pathways will better connect parking areas to the washrooms, gathering plaza, playground, and splash park. Construction is scheduled with the development of the washroom building starting in March.

Skatepark
The skatepark was constructed in the late 1990’s and is a popular amenity. Nearing its end of life and until there is sufficient funding in place for complete replacement, repairs will include cutting, grinding, and filling cracks and failing concrete. Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in March but is weather dependent.

Pedestrian and Vehicle Connections
New pedestrian pathways and a vehicle/passenger drop-off area will be constructed to connect the large gravel parking area behind the curling arena, the new washroom building, the volleyball area, and the gathering plaza. A long speed table will be constructed on Sandcastle Drive adjacent to the existing washroom building to not only calm traffic in this core pedestrian area but it will also eliminate curbs to enhance accessibility. Construction is scheduled with the development of the washroom building to begin March.

Lions Ventureland Playground
Improvements include major upgrades to surfacing and new playground equipment to increase accessibility to the playground and the new equipment for all ages and abilities. The City received a grant of $300,000 from Pacific Economic Development, Canada Community Revitalization Fund for accessibility upgrades to the playground. The City’s contribution to this project is $100,000 with the work to be completed by March 31.

Stormwater Management
In 2021, through FCM and the Green Municipal Fund, the City received a grant for $168,300 to complete a stormwater management master plan for the park. This plan is complete, and a grant application submitted to the Green Infrastructure Fund in early 2022 for $1.6 million to implement priority stormwater management projects in the park. Notification of grant award is expected in later this year.

Let’s Talk Parksville – Parksville Community Park Improvements
For more information and ongoing updates about these Parksville Community Park improvement projects, as well as park closures and notices, please refer to Let’s Talk Parksville.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
dtardiff@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

The City of Parksville acknowledges with gratitude, we are located on the traditional territory of the
Coast Salish Nations, home to the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation and the Qualicum First Nation.