Improvements to Parksville Community Park Amenities

April 6, 2022

This release provides information about projects underway or anticipated in the Parksville Community Park. The park continues to be our local jewel and an important amenity for residents and visitors of all ages. Balancing multiple demands with a desire to maintain sustainable property taxes, the City continually works to improve the Parksville Community Park as well as our other parks, trails and facilities to meet current and future community needs. We are excited to welcome visitors and residents back to the Park for post-pandemic special events and festivities as well as day-to-day enjoyment.

New outdoor stage and gathering space - the outdoor stage and gathering space received funding of $1.26 million through a Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure grant and the outdoor stage received an additional $204,750 in funding from the Island Coastal Economic Trust.

In September 2021, Council allocated $515,000 from general revenue for construction of the stage. Construction of the stage is underway, and we anticipate the project to be ready for use in late June. Request for proposals for construction of the gathering place will soon be issued with construction scheduled to begin this fall.

Ventureland Playground - improvements included major upgrades to surfacing and new playground equipment. These improvements increase accessibility to the playground and the new equipment for all ages and abilities. Through the pandemic, the playground was an important outdoor space for children and their families. The playground continues to benefit from the generosity of the Parksville Lions Club with the new splash park added in 2018 with the help from community organizations and donations from the public. Currently, the City has an outstanding grant application for additional rubber surfacing in the playground.

Stormwater management - in 2021, through FCM and the Green Municipal Fund, we received a grant for $168,300 to complete a stormwater management master plan for the park. This plan is complete, and a grant application was submitted to the Green Infrastructure Fund in February for $1.6 million to implement priority stormwater management projects in the park.

Kin Hut and washroom facilities - in October 2021, Council approved the continued use of the Kin Hut washrooms and $499,000 for a new washroom facility. Requests for proposals for construction of the new washroom will soon be issued with construction to follow immediately after award of contract. We know the existing washroom facility was often over capacity and this will help alleviate the demand when we welcome people and events back to the park.

Safe sports play - many projects scheduled in 2022 will improve safety and accessibility for park users, address the need for multiuse facilities, and provide project coordination to ensure efficiencies and cost savings. Upgrades in the park include the accessible viewing and safe access to the area near the volleyball courts, pedestrian connections and pathways, and resurfacing and repairs for the skateboard park, lacrosse box, and racquet courts.

In March 2022, Council approved Gas Tax funding to cover an expenditure of $362,000 for sports courts safety and accessibility improvements. From 2021, an additional $295,000 will be applied to this work as a carry forward for a total of $657,000 dedicated to a host of improvements.
Upgrades to the volleyball court include physical barriers around the play area to prevent conflicts between players and vehicles and a new viewing area with bleachers, which will also contain errant balls during play.
Addition of a new accessible pathway, designated pickup and drop-off zone, and crosswalk near the washrooms and food truck pads.
Upgrades to the skateboard park expected to get underway this year will repair the cracks, heaves and ponding.
The lacrosse box will be repaired, resurfaced, and relined for lacrosse, pickleball and basketball play. Bleachers and bike racks will be installed.
Racquet courts will be repaired, resurfaced and relined for one permanent tennis and four permanent pickleball courts with a physical barrier between. Bleachers and bike racks will be installed.

City parks support the health of our community and contribute to the economic and environmental well-being of our City. For information about City parks and our beaches and open spaces, please refer to our website.