Kids will eventually be able to hoop it up at a neighbourhood court in Harewood after the city agreed to support a Partners in Parks project.
At a meeting Monday, Nanaimo city council voted unanimously to provide matching funding of $25,000 to go toward Phase 1 of improvements to Cambie Neighbourhood Park at Cambie Road and Park Avenue.
The Cambie Road Park Planning Committee has $25,000 as well, so the city grant will enable to group to cover the $37,000 cost of Phase 1, a basketball court, and still have money left over to go toward Phase 2, a $44,000 playground.
Jocelyn Dewar, a member of the committee, said development in the area has created the need for park improvements there.
“The number of children that we have running through the streets is quite significant, so we’re really looking for a safe space that we can have them go and play,” she said. “Right now they have streets and some smaller backyards and we’re really looking for a space that we can congregate, bring our families in the neighbourhood together.”
Kirsty MacDonald, parks and open space planner with the city, told council that there’s no protcol for matching funds and the grant is negotiable, case by case.
“It’s not always a 50-50 split, it’s sometimes more, it’s sometimes less, but we tailor it to each group and what their wish list is and what their ability to fundraise is,” she said.
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