More money is being pumped into recreational amenities.
The Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has approved a $6.73 million budget for parks, recreation and culture, triggering a 3.8 per cent tax hike.
“The budget is going up because we’ve added parks,” said director Bob Fleming.
“We want to do something with the parks.”
Among the additions is $65,000 for limited access to the Camp Hurlburt site on Eastside Road.
“We will take down some unsafe trees and provide some signage,” said Juliette Cunningham, chairperson.
“This year will be mostly lake and pedestrian access. In time, we will have to deal with road access and we are working on the planning process for the park there.”
About $30,000 will be put toward fencing and gates for the recently purchased property on Crane Road along Swan Lake.
“We need to make sure it’s secure so people can’t race four-by-fours around the property,” said Fleming.
Additional sand will be hauled into the Padddlewheel Park beach while the Marshall Fields tennis courts will be resurfaced and there will be a review of Kal Beach.
There is also $35,000 for design work for the rail trail corridor along Kalamalka Lake.
In terms of major operating expense changes, there is a $222,000 increase for a full year of debt payments at the athletics park, and a $94,000 hike for operation and maintenance of the track.
“But there is also a full year of revenue projections,” said Fleming.
Staff are currently in negotiations for operations and maintainance at the athletics parks.
“A detailed report outlining a proposed method of service delivery on this issue will be brought back to GVAC and the board for consideration prior to the seasonal opening of the facility in March,” said Keith Pinkoski, parks manager, in a report.
Other components of the budget call for facility upgrades, including a new roof for the Greater Vernon Museum.
Grants for the Arts Council, the Okanagan Boys and Girl Club, the Vernon Public Art Gallery and the museum all climbed 1.5 per cent to cover cost of living increases.
The parks, recreation and culture budget must still be adopted by the Regional District of North Okanagan board.
