Work is well underway on a major upgrade to Creston Community Park, with most of the current activity taking place behind the scenes. The design stage began in March, and is expected to wrap up in August.
“We know the community is excited about the project—we are too! The Complex is already a major community hub, and the new park will make it so much more of a destination for families and visitors,” said Randy Fediuk, Manager of Recreation, Creston & District Community Complex. “Many people have already asked when the ground-breaking will take place. There is a lot of work that has to happen before we can get started on construction, and we will update the community with more specific timelines as they get firmed up.”
The contract for detailed design services for the new skatepark has been awarded to van der Zalm + Associates Inc. and New Line Skateparks Inc., both firms in Langley, BC. The process for issuing the tenders for contractors for the detailed design of other phases of the project and construction is currently underway. The skatepark component of the project is farther along in the process since it was initiated before the other components and will be tendered separately in July. The project team is working to bring the other components into alignment so all non-skatepark related work can go out as one tender.
“This stage of the project is all about going through the competitive processes for contractors, doing our due diligence with respect to civil and electrical requirements, and ensuring that systems are in place to turn our vision into reality,” said AJ Evenson, Senior Project Manager at the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK). “We are also working with local companies to specify local materials used in construction.”
The features of the community park will include a reconstructed skatepark, with 10,000 sq. ft. of innovative functional spaces for skateboarders, BMX riders and scooter riders; an accessible walkway and seating area for spectators, and a picnic/civic space with seating for social and community gatherings. Other features will include a revitalized playground, horseshoe pits, and beach volleyball courts; the addition of pickleball courts and a multipurpose basketball court; upgrades to lighting, landscaping, parking areas, trailheads and pathways; and enhancements to accessibility between the indoor and outdoor amenities of the Complex.
The project, which was formally announced in March 2018, is being funded through the Federal Gas Tax Fund, administered by the Union of BC Municipalities in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, with additional funding provided by the Columbia Basin Trust.
Updates about the project will be shared on the RDCK website at www.rdck.ca/CrestonCommunityPark. Visitors to the Complex can also view conceptual drawings, schematics and project updates on display in the main lobby.
