Grand Forks considers Dick Bartlett Park upgrades
by Cassandra Chin - Grand Forks Gazette
posted Jan 4, 2012 at 10:00 AM
City council has accepted a report from city staff in regards to submitting an application for a government funded recreation program.
The Community Recreation Program was announced by the province at the end of October and provides funding to municipalities and regional districts, with a priority towards smaller communities.
Should Grand Forks be successful in its application, city staff noted that costs exceeding $400,000 would have to come from city coffers, specifically from the Slag Fund Revenue Reserve Fund.
Of the three options provided by city staff, it was recommended that Dick Bartlett Park see upgrades including a green gym, water park and a walking/bike path route.
The renovations to the walking/bike path route would add to the City’s Bicycle Network Plan.
City staff recommended the upgrade to Dick Bartlett Park that would include the walking/bike path with an estimated cost of $500,000.
Located behind Grand Forks Recreation and across from the developing Silver Kettle Village, Mayor Brian Taylor felt the program would be beneficial for everyone.
“It’s clearly going to be a big advantage to them for those who will be living at Silver Kettle,” Taylor said.
“But the new upgrades aren’t just for the seniors. There will also be a lot of youth work and family work as well with the water park located by the pool. The outside fitness area will also be visited by a good cross-section of the community.”
From the Grand Forks Gazette