Parksville residents will be asked for their feedback and ideas about the city’s proposed aquatic and recreation centre starting in July.
The city said a team of public engagement experts from HDR, Inc., hired in May, will lead a campaign to inform residents about the project, including hosting in-person open houses or workshops.
“A degree of misinformation is causing confusion about the project and we want to set the story straight. HDR is looking forward to working directly with the community to address concerns, hearing your thoughts and ideas and bringing the public vision of this project to fruition,” reads a media release from the city.
Recently a group of concerned residents rallied to voice their opposition to the centre’s proposed site at the end of Despard Avenue, near the Parksville Wetlands.
WSP Canada Inc., a professional environmental and technical consultation firm, will supplement last year’s feasibility study by conducting a thorough land analysis and site condition assessment to evaluate current site plans and conceptual designs, the city said. It will work closely with HDR to include regular study updates and technical results in public engagement materials, according to the release.
“We’ve been monitoring the discussions online and in our community and there have been some great conversations about the project, including the location of the facility, concerns about our forests and wetlands, the potential financial burden on our residents, whether we even need a multiplex,” the release said.
More information about the project, including a summary of the feasibility study and conceptual designs, is available on the city’s public engagement website Let’s Talk Parksville.
