Tight budget for park work

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 17, 2009 6:00 PM

Little financial wiggle room exists for upgrades to Polson Park. Of the $1.5 million available for the enhancements that will begin in March, the city is looking to spend about $1.3 million. “We believe we can cover it,” said Kim Flick, manager of planning and building. There will be $900,000 for a new performance shelter where the old grandstand used to sit, as well as $125,000 for an adult fitness circuit, $50,000 for renovations to the existing band shell and $18,000 for other changes. There are also contingency funds set aside. While the money available for construction is limited, city officials are confident it won’t go over budget. “A lot of that can be done by our staff which will keep our costs down,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. The $1.5 million is insurance money paid out after the grandstand arson fire in 2006. The performance shelter will serve as a grandstand for events at the track and oval. There would also be year-round washrooms, a concession and storage for parks equipment. “The washrooms will be year-round so we’re looking at design features to make them usable during the winter without becoming a popular place to hang around,” said Flick.

The main parking lot will also be reconfigured, and the rose garden will be moved from its current location to a site near the main parking lot and the arts centre. Flick says a decision was made to move the rose garden so the park entrance could be enhanced. “It will have a more positive impact. It will say, ‘Wow, welcome to our park,’” she said. It’s expected that actual drawing of the performance shelter will be before council in January. “The architect has shown us preliminary concepts but they’re not developed enough yet,” said Flick.

Parks and recreation are a North Okanagan Regional District function, but the city was recently given authority to proceed with some improvements because it owns the park. Beyond the work currently going ahead, NORD has hired an architect and is looking at the long-term layout for Polson Park. “We’re putting money into the park and that’s what people want us to do,” said Gilroy.