Report – Carol Sheridan, Manager of Parks and Recreation
Administration/Labour Management:
Travis Thompson started his 7th season with OPRS on June 4, this year in the position of Student Labourer working in conjunction with the Recreation Facility Attendants.
4 RFA staff plus 3 Aquatics staff will participate in an upcoming Pool Operator Level 1 course on June 26 & 27 here in Oliver. This certification is the industry standard for workers maintaining pool facilities.
I attended a meeting with Town of Oliver staff, RCMP and Marshall Enforcement Services to discuss the challenges surrounding bylaw enforcement in our parks during the summer months. There is a plan in place to handle these challenges in a collaborative way. Some ideas included producing a multi-lingual information pamphlet about respectful park usage, involving the RCMP through the non-emergency line if support is needed by Park Attendants or Bylaw and improving the signage at the parks that direct appropriate usage. An overall park signage review is underway to ensure messages regarding bylaws and the safe and appropriate use of the parks are clear and presented in a consistent and positive way. Marshall Enforcement has hired a French-speaking staff member who has already formed a positive rapport with several orchard workers who spend time in the parks. Bylaw Enforcement staff are now patrolling the parks Friday and Saturday evenings (approx. 16 hours per week) until the end of August. This is a considerable reduction in hours from 2013.
Interior Health Beach Testing at Rotary Park began this past week. Water samples from 2 locations at the beach will be taken and delivered to the Interior Health lab in Osoyoos for testing on a weekly basis.
Facilities:
2 new concrete picnic tables were recently installed at Rotary Park, 1 of the tables was donated by the Oliver Rotary Club.
The Community Centre parking lot lines are scheduled to be repainted the week of June 16.
Recurring plumbing issues at the Rotary Park washrooms warranted the overhaul of the plumbing directly below the building and the retiling of the washroom floors. This project was completed with contractors as well as in house labour.
The motor in the Main Pool pump must be replaced in order to ensure operations will continue without interruption for the remainder of the season. As a proactive measure we have scheduled a shutdown of the pool operation June 26-28. Signage is up at the pool regarding this closure and notice will be sent out to the media as well.
Community Development:
The Joint Use Agreement between SD53 and the OPRS was officially signed on June 11 by OPRS Chair Shiela Lang and SD53 Trustee Marieze Tarr. This agreement will take effect for the 2015-16 school year.
The “Music in the Park” series offered by the Oliver Community Arts Council will start at Community Park & Stage on Thursday June 26. The first evening market will be held on Thursday June 19th from 4:30-8:30pm and will continue throughout the summer until Sept 4. Response from market vendors outside of Oliver has been positive, we are hoping more local vendors will participate.
The Oliver Farmer’s Market also begins on June 19th 8:OOam-1:OOpm in Lion’s Park.
The end of May and beginning of June has been an extremely busy time for our staff preparing for, and providing service to, many special events hosted at Oliver Parks and Recreation facilities:
Half Corked Marathon May 24
Outback Events Wine Capital of Canada Triathlon and Desert Half Iron May 31/June 1
Junior Triathlon May 31
Alliance Church Picnic June 7
Tennis Tournament June 7
Rotary Auction June 7
Kubbadi Tournament June 7&8
Ride for Dad June 8
Upcoming Events at Community Park:
June 13-15 Father’s Day Slo-Pitch Tournament
July 1 Canada Day Pancake Breakfast
July 10 Uncork the Sun
July 11-12 Oliver Sunshine Festival
Report – Katie Eaton, Recreation Program Supervisor
Events:
Jr. Triathlon had 38 registered participants. Thank you to all that volunteered your time and special thanks to Canadian Tire for donating a bike!
Canada Day Breakfast is fast approaching — we’re looking for pancake flippers and servers — please contact Katie if you’re interested in volunteering.
Sunshine Festival is also needing more volunteer involvement — please contact Judy Pagett (volunteer coordinator) for more information: iudvpagett@gmail.com
Programs:
Strike Day Camps — We’ve been offering a day camp on all strike days—the enrollment has been well received, we’re anticipating being busy again for this Friday, June 13.
Boot Camp (Mon/Wed/Fri. mornings 6:15-7:00ann) is full, with a waitlist and off to a great start. Carol, Kyle, Lee and myself are all participating in this program.
Adult Slo-pitch playoffs start next week — the season has been a lot of fun — I’m hoping to connect with the Osoyoos Rec Department about the possibility of joining leagues next year.
Kids Softball programs are coming to end. We will be having a BBQ for all participants and their parents on Thurs, June 19th.