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South Okanagan Photos

Parks and Recreation Society proposing a 1.49 per cent budget increase

oliver parksWith the draft budget approved at the most-recent Oliver Parks and Recreation Society board meeting, it’s now time to take a look at the numbers.
The proposed budget contains a 1.49 percent increase over the 2016 budget. While the Society indicated operational costs have been maintained in the proposed budget, there is an increase – largely due to the Society’s proposed capital expenditures.
“We have managed to maintain our proposed operating budget at a zero percent increase over last year. This number covers our day to day expenses and maintenance,” said Shiela Lange, Parks and Recreation Society Chair. “Our capital budget this year has a number of smaller but necessary upgrades in all our facilities.”
There three major areas of proposed expenditures that are larger. They involve the parking lot, the pool and Lions Park.
“The parking lot that services the community hall, the arena and the pool needs an upgrade. We have received many complaints about the condition of this parking lot. An expenditure of $75,000 is proposed. Our community pool is aging, we must do a $10,000 upgrade on the chlorination system to be able to open this facility in 2017. Also we are proposing setting aside $15,000 for a study to analyse how to keep maintaining the current pool or planning ahead for a new or upgraded facility. Lastly, we are requesting $100,000 for improvements to Lion’s Park,” indicated Lange. “The Society cohesively agrees this is a priority area. The community has seen an improvement in this park over the past year and the Society believes building on this momentum is a priority. It is important to continue improvements to this park because it is under-developed and at times misused.”

Lions Park Path (2) The five-year park plan includes adding a natural playground in the south end, a dog park to the north end and substantive improvements to the existing skate park. The capital requested will only fund one of these major projects but the Society’s plan is to continue these park improvements if funded over the next few years.
“The Society are hopefully confident that our funding partners will see the wisdom and long term planning that is evident in our funding request,” summarized Lange.
The Parks and Rec Society must submit a proposed budget to its funding partners in October for the upcoming year.
ODN will keep you posted on the Society’s budget proposal.

-Dale Cory