PARKS, RECREATION AND CULTURE COMMISSION MINUTES

Wednesday, 2018 October 24

An ‘Open’ meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission was held in the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course Clubhouse, 7600 Halifax Street, Burnaby, B.C on Wednesday, 2018 October 24 at 7:02 p.m.

1.

CALL TO ORDER

PRESENT:

Councillor Paul McDonell, Chair

Commissioner Karin Alzner

Commissioner Stace Dayment

Commissioner James Jang

Councillor Dan Johnston

Commissioner Barbara Larkin 

Commissioner Lance Matricardi

Commissioner Dan Staschuk

ABSENT:

Commissioner Guyle Clark

School Trustee Baljinder Narang

STAFF:

Mr. Craig Collis, Acting Director Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services

Mr. Steve Bruneau, Assistant Director - Parks

Mr. David O’Connor, Assistant Director - Golf Operations

Mr. Denis Nokony, Assistant Director - Cultural Services

Mr. Dean Pelletier, Manager - Business Operations

Ms. Heather Edwards, Manager – Parks Planning, Design & Dev.

Mr. Johannes Schumann, Sr. Current Planner - Planning & Building

Mrs. Theresa Cheng, Commission Secretary

Ms. Vanessa Olarte, Recording Secretary

The Chair called the ‘Open’ Commission Meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

“THAT the Open Commission meeting do now convene.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Commission meeting convened in the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course Clubhouse.

The Chair welcomed the audience to the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course Clubhouse, advised that the Commission holds 3 meetings a year in different communities to provide an opportunity to meet residents, and introduced the Commissioners and the Director in attendance.  Commissioner Clark sent his regrets.

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services introduced staff members in attendance.

2.

MINUTES

a)

Open meeting of 2018 September 19

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER DAYMENT

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JANG

“THAT the minutes of the Open Commission meeting held on 2018 September 19 be now adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

a)

Director's Report No. 9
2018 October 24

The Director Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services submitted his Report No. 9, dated 2018 October 24, covering the following items listed as 1 – 6.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

“THAT the Director’s Report be received.”

        CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

i)

Burnaby Christmas Bureau Promotional Support 2018

Burnaby Community Services requests donation of some Carousel ride revenue to the charitable Burnaby Christmas Bureau program.  The Village Museum has extended hours from 2018 December 15 to 2019 January 04.  The period being considered is on 2018 December 01 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. In past years, this request has been supported by Commission, generating approximately $1,000 in donated revenue to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.

It is recommended:

              1.      THAT  approval be granted for a promotional initiative in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau at the Burnaby Village Museum at Heritage Christmas 2018 as outlined in this report.

              2.      THAT  approval be granted to donate revenue from the Burnaby Village Museum Carousel ride sales from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, 2018 December 01 to the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.

              3.      THAT  the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council approve the promotional initiative and the donation of revenue.

              4.      THAT  a copy of this report be sent to Mr. Stephen D’Souza, Executive Director of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau.

MOVED BY COUNCILLOR JOHNSTON

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

“THAT the four recommendations be adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ii)

Junior Golf Initiatives – 2017/2018 Season

Golf Burnaby has created many opportunities for youth to participate in innovative programs that provide a new and fun introduction to the sport, as well as on-going support through skill development opportunities.  Junior Golf instructional programs are offered at both the provincial and national level.  Golf division has been awarded the “Junior Golf Developer of the Year” by the BC Professional Golf Association. With 6,136 Junior Golf participants, the divisional highlights of the 2017/2018 golf season are: Introduction to the Game of Golf, Game Development Opportunities and League and Tournament Programs.

It was recommended:

1.    THAT Commission receive this report for information.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

“THAT the recommendation be adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

iii)

Edmonds and Central Parks – Demolition of Structures

The old fieldhouse in Edmonds Park and the old shelter in Central Park are in poor condition and require removal for safety reasons, and to make way for new park facility development.  Council authorization to sell for moving or salvage or demolition is required.

It was recommended:

1.    THAT the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council authorize the sale for moving or salvage or demolition of the Edmonds Park fieldhouse structure at 7433 Edmonds Street.

2.    THAT the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission recommend Council authorize the sale for moving or salvage or demolition of the Central Park Variety Park Playground Shelter structure at 3883 Imperial Street.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER JANG

“THAT the two recommendations be adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

iv)

Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park – Petition for Optional Part-Time Off-Leash Dog Park

At its meeting of 2018 September 19, Commission received a petition from Ms. Shelley Hamilton and a number of park visitors for the creation of an optional part-time off-leash dog park at the foot of Fraser Park Drive to the GVRD Junction Chamber (pump house) at the east end of the Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park.

A Strategic Plan for Dog Walking in Burnaby Parks adopted by the Commission in 2007 has not identified feasible opportunities for water play.  Fraser River Port Authority regulations prohibit dogs from swimming in the river as there are hazards posed by the log boom storage activities along the park foreshore.  A review of the petition shows that 40% of the petitioners are residents of other Metro Vancouver cities where there are water play opportunities. 

It was recommended:

1.    THAT a copy of this report be sent to Ms. Shelley Hamilton for information.

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STASCHUK

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

“THAT the recommendation be adopted.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

vi)     Outdoor Ice Skating and Tobogganing

4.

NEW BUSINESS

There were no items raised under New Business.

5.

INQUIRIES

Commissioner Alzner inquired if there is a designated park for tobogganing.

Staff advised that there is no designated park for tobogganing.  There are a number of more gentle slopes in Burnaby neighborhoods and local parks that are suitable for tobogganing.

Commissioner Matricardi referred to his previous enquiry about adding off-leash dog parks and requested that staff include this in their review.

Staff advised that off-leash dog parks are currently under review and a report will be provided to the Commission.

The Chair advised that under a Livable Regional Plan developed for Metro Vancouver, Burnaby will take in 135,000 new residents mainly in the four town centres which are served by public transit.  The zoning in town centres has been amended to increase population density.  Eighty per cent of the collected revenue from density bonus goes into a fund for new amenities for residents and 20% will go into a fund to build low cost housing.  The Chair noted that a variety of new and replacement recreation and arts facilities will be built throughout the City using this funding source.  A new ice rink will be built beside the Byrne Creek Secondary School.  C.G. Brown Pool will be replaced with a 50-meter pool and Burnaby Lake Arena will be re-built at the same time for efficiency.  Two new community centres will be built in the Brentwood area and close to Eileen Dailly Leisure Pool.  A new recreation centre and pool will be built near Cameron Recreation Centre.  Public input will be sought for the designs of the new facilities.  A new Metrotown event centre is also planned.

6.

PUBLIC COMMENT/QUESTION PERIOD

The Chair announced the beginning of the public comment/question period.  The audience was encouraged to speak to the Commission on matters of interest or concern.

Ms. Elizabeth Bowes, advised that she lives close to Eileen Dailly Pool. She observed overcrowding and overbooking at Eileen Dailly Pool and Confederation Community Centre. She travelled with her granddaughter to attend preschool programs held mainly in Bonsor Recreation Centre or Cameron Recreation Centre.  She could not put her granddaughter in the daycare at Eileen Dailly Pool when she wanted to attend a program at Confederation Community Centre. Ms. Bowes enquired when a new community centre will be built in North Burnaby and if the empty building lot opposite Eileen Dailly Pool could be paved for temporary parking.  Ms. Bowes suggested that the new community centre be connected to Eileen Dailly Pool.

The Chair explained the cause for delay in building a new community centre in the Brentwood area. Connecting the new community centre to Eileen Dailly Pool will be considered.

Councillor Johnston commented that temporary parking on the empty building lot was determined to be impractical in view of the $700,000 cost.  Our plan is to build two facilities simultaneously at Willingdon Park and at 250 North Willingdon.

Ms. Alice Lum advised that she is an active participant in various programs and fitness classes and commented that discounted recreation passes have not been offered for the past five years.

Staff advised that they are not aware of any discounts on passes in the previous years and that the fees are reviewed on an annual basis to ensure we are in line with other municipalities. Staff will look into the fees and provide Ms. Lum with more information.

The Chair advised that there is a Recreation Credit program for low-income families and loonie swims at pools.

Mr. John Crawford, expressed concern about the plan to re-model the Kensington Pitch and Putt to a 9-hole golf course.  Mr. Crawford expressed concern of removing big trees and inquired if there has been an ecological and user safety study.  It was inquired if consideration has been given to re-model the Central Park Pitch and Putt instead.

The Chair advised that the 9-hole golf course is for all golfers. Senior golfers will find it easier to play the 9-hole golf course which is more inclusive.

Staff commented that the 9-hole golf course will be open to all citizens.  Patron number and revenue at pitch and putts have continuously dipped in in recent years.  Central Park Pitch and Putt does not have enough space for conversion.

The Chair thanked the audience for their attendance.

7.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY COMMISSIONER LARKIN

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER MATRICARDI

“THAT the Open Commission meeting do now adjourn.”

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Open Commission meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

________________________

________________________

Theresa Cheng

COMMISSION SECRETARY                  

Councillor Paul McDonnell

CHAIR