Results from public consultation for the creation of a Centennial Park Master Plan were presented to council March 26. Consulting group Binnie & Associates Ltd. revealed that most locals support the development of indoor facilities for the destination park, currently home to the Community Recreation & Cultural Centre (CRCC) and the Ferny Coombe Pool.
The second biggest priority for respondents was youth recreation, followed by the desire to preserve and enhance passive space used for events, meetings, games and more.
The firm created a consolidated plan that included space for field sports, a multi-use sports court, an off-leash dog park, washroom, concession, storage, perimeter pathway and covered stage or performance area.
The District has not yet confirmed which plan it will be implementing.
Return of Agassiz Farmer’s Market
Two Agassiz locals brought forward plans to reinstate a local farmer’s market. Heather Redmond and Jess Kampen sought support from council to set up an Agassiz Farmer’s Market on Thursday nights in the Agassiz Harrison Museum parking lot.
The pair said they hope to ‘re-brand’ the market, but ultimately keep the home-grown philosophy of their predecessors.
Van Laerhoven enthusiastically supported the proposal.
“You’re re-branding which is a good thing to do, but philosophically you’re going down the same path as the original market. You want it to be, essentially a ‘grow it, bake it, make it,’” he said, adding that the previous market worked to avoid a “flea market scenario.”
Redmond said they will be making some time adjustments to create a better parking situation for visitors.
“We know that by shifting the market a little bit further into the evening, we’re hoping to have less conflict with the businesses’ parking. And we’re hoping to use the high school parking for vendors,” she said.
Van Laerhoven also supported the chosen location.
“I absolutely agree that the museum parking lot and the area around it is the definitely the best space for it,” he said. “When people see canopies at a farmers market they stop. So that end of Pioneer by the museum is definitely a high-visibility place.”
Wait times at the bridge
Councillor Sylvia Pranger voiced concerns from District residents about wait times at the Rosedale overhead and the impending construction on the Agassiz Rosedale Bridge. Pranger proposed signage that would keep traffic – semi-trucks in particular – on Highway 1 instead of diverting through Agassiz.
Van Laerhoven said this would be difficult to control, but that he understands the frustration.
“Once we are informed that the design is complete, council will definitely want to be involved in making a traffic management plan to lessen the impact as much as we can for local residents,” he said to council, adding that proposals for traffic diverting signage would have to go through B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation.
BC Hydro kiosk box wrapping
Kent council chose three BC Hydro kiosk boxes to be wrapped in the art or image of its choosing. Soon, the electric box in front of the CRCC will be wrapped, along with the small box off Highway 9 and the box at Schepp Park. Wrappings will include a dairy cow/field scene from Harrison Mills, a vintage photograph of the historic Hotel Bella Vista and an image of the old Schepp Farm for the box in Schepp Park.
Public Transit Woes
Monique Olsen of Gold Road wrote a letter to the District about some concerns regarding the safety of the local bus.
She said her teenage son and other kids his age want to take the public transit bus, but have to walk to the end of Golf Road to flag down the bus to stop for them – if it can.
“I’m sure it’s a safety concern,” she wrote. “I am always encouraging my son and his friends to use the service, especially when they wish to shop or go to the movies in Chilliwack.”
Olsen proposed routing the bus down Golf Road, to Hardy and McCallum Road before going back onto Hot Springs.
Van Laerhoven said the proposal would add six minutes to the current route, costing the District an additional $47,000 a year – a one per cent tax increase for residents.
But council agreed that finding a better location for the bus to stop along the current route could improve the safety of transit riders without the price tag. With plans in place to start work on shoulder enhancements and resurfacing along Highway 7 and 9 this summer, Van Laerhoven proposed asking the province for help.
“We could inquire to the Transportation Ministry if along that way there would be a more reasonable place for a bus to pull over along Highway 7 that would enhance safety for people boarding the bus – without being a one per cent tax increase,” he said, adding that actually changing the route could open the door for proposals for other stops.
“I think a lot of people simply aren’t aware that with every change comes a cost,” he said.
Councillor Pranger echoed his concerns. “There has to be a much broader reason for a one per cent tax increase,” she said.