Blackburn Park has risen to number one on the charts.
After much research and public input, a draft strategic plan for the city, meant to guide decision-making about significant projects over the next 10 years, is ready for the public’s review.
The plan divides 25 projects into short-, medium- and long-term priorities, with ‘Blackburn Park upgrades’ listed at the top in the short-term priorities list.
Short-term is defined as 2014 through 2017.
Also included in the nine-project, short-term list is the Ross Street underpass; sanitary sewer main replacement at the foreshore; and transit improvements.
The project overview for Blackburn Park notes that upgrades already completed include field one, the skate park, washrooms and the playground, as well as some fill added for redevelopment of the southwest ball diamond and field two.
Future upgrades for Blackburn Park include: construction of field two; a spray park; construction of ball fields; multi-use field space and realignment of 5th Street SW, along with new parking.
Nine medium-term priorities from 2018 to 2020 include: airport improvements; a downtown parking plan; environmental protection bylaws and development permits; a sewage treatment plant relocation assessment; and a water metering cost/benefit analysis.
In the long term – 2021 to 2023 – priorities include the Auto Road connector; Canoe waterfront public access redevelopment and expansion plan; CPR 17th Avenue NE pedestrian overpass; industrial park servicing; Klahani Park redevelopment plan; and Little Mountain Park development plan, including relocation of the public works yard.
Corey Paiement, the city’s corporate officer, explains that the strategic plan focuses on the “key big-picture projects” for the next 10 years as the city doesn’t have the capacity to undertake all the projects that have been identified. The plan, he says, is not static. Thought has been given as to how it will continue to be used.
“I think it’s fair to say it will take some diligence from council and staff to carry on into the future.”
To express your input on the draft document, go to the city website to find the strategic plan at: http://www.salmonarm.ca/index.aspx?nid=292 and then click on the word ‘here.’ Then click on ‘draft corporate strategic plan 2014.’
If you wish to see the projects in more detail, click on ‘draft corporate strategic plan project plans.’ Input must be received by 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21.