The City of Rossland needs to find more revenue to pay for its recreational facilities, according to a newly adopted master plan that places it at the top of a list of action items.
“It is clear that the status quo in terms of funding will not support upgraded/replaced facilities, enhanced operations, or even effectively maintain the current system,” says the executive summary from Expedition Management Consulting Ltd. “It will take a total community effort and a change in mindset in order to achieve a sustainable system.”
The report suggests several ways to make more cash available, including “reallocating municipal operational expenditures, grant and sponsorship support, borrowing, working with regional partners, developer investment, considering increasing property taxes and user fees, and connecting recreation with economic development and other community priorities.”
Also high on the priority list is deciding what to do about the city’s outdoor swimming pool, which needs to be replaced or closed.
Mayor Andy Morel said the plan was created with lots of public input that allowed residents to create wish lists for new facilities, such as a pickleball court, splash park, and other children’s programming.
To his surprise, a dog park was also suggested, “considering we have a couple of hundred kilometers of trails close by that people walk their dogs on. But there are folks probably used to using dog parks and we don’t have one.”
He said the consultant also looked at recreation trends across the country to make sure they were taken into account.
Morel added the recreation plan with dovetail with a separate plan that is looking at the condition of existing facilities, including the pool, arena, and playgrounds.
“We want to make sure we’re putting good analysis together,” he said. “We’ve got a consultant looking at those facilities to give us some idea of what investment is needed to keep them maintained or for council to have a better idea of the value that’s still in them and make decisions on what may or may not continue.”
The previous council decided to make major investments in the arena, he noted, but the swimming pool requires more scrutiny, as it requires major upgrades.
