The City of Penticton is looking for input to provide direction for the future of the Robinson property, better known as the South Main Drop-In Centre.

With requests for continued and expanded programming, the city is looking to create a master plan to manage and prioritize the demands for the future of the property. As part of this master plan, the city will be holding workshops this month for the interested members of the public to provide input into the direction that the property will take.

“The city is undertaking a very inclusive process for the development of the plan,” said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit in a news release. “Not only are we committed to working closely with the existing users of the site including the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-in Centre Society, we are also interested in hearing ideas from the community at large. If you have a vision or idea on how we can enhance this community park and asset, we hope you will participate in the process.”

Related: Penticton beginning review of park uses

The property was granted to the city in 1982 and dedicated as a park. Since then, it has changed and evolved into its current incarnation as a destination for pickleball, horseshoes, bocce and the programs of the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-In Centre Society.

The public input workshops are part of the engagement program introduced at the regular council meeting on Sept. 4 and are designed to involve the community in the development of a long-term plan for the site. The workshops have a limited number of spots available for participants, and registration can be done at getconnected@penticton.ca or by contacting JoAnne Kleb at 250-490-2586. The workshops will begin on Oct. 24.

Related: Pickleball already outgrowing outdoor courts

To date, staff have met with representatives from each of the current user groups to explain the process and understand their ideas for the future. The next step is to bring these representatives together with members of the community in two workshops to identify options for the site. At the workshops, participants will be invited to discuss topics such as arts, signage, greenspace, transit and parking as well as the needs of the user groups.

“If we have a lot of interest, we will add more workshops. And if you can’t attend, you can also share your ideas for the park at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca,” said JoAnne Kleb, Penticton’s engagement strategist. “We will also be holding public events in the future to involve the community as the plans develop.”

Information about the engagement plan as well as background on the history of the site and relevant bylaws, policies and plans are available at shapeyourcitypenticton.ca/Robinson-property.

Following the workshop, the city will prepare a number of options for the site that will be shared with the community before a recommendation is developed and reviewed with the new Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and then shared with council for a decision in the new year.

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.