Bike park proves popular
Powell River’s new bike and skate park is drawing rave reviews according to City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa.
At the Thursday, March 19, council meeting, Formosa said he is hearing a great deal from the community regarding the bike park.
“So many people are coming up to me and saying ‘wow, look at the recreation complex. Boy, are there ever a lot of kids using that park.’It’s getting a lot of use,” the mayor said. “It’s nice to see the kids outside, getting some exercise, being away from their computers and enjoying themselves.”
Councillor Jim Palm said acknowledgment had to be given to Powell River Community Forest Board, which underwrote the construction of the bike and skateboard facility.
Palm said a letter had been received from Powell River Brain Injury Society requesting mandatory helmet use at the skate and bike track.
“That would be an excellent idea after seeing the grand opening,” he said.
Supports event
The city will become an official partner of Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) Celebration of the Senses’ commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands by the Canadian Armed Forces. The commemoration will take place in Powell River this summer as part of PRISMA’s annual free concert held at Willingdon Beach.
Arthur Arnold, PRISMA’s music director, is originally from the Netherlands.
“It’s a big deal, there’s a bunch of events in Canada and we are going to be adding the Celebration of the Senses,” said Councillor CaroleAnn Leishman.
Formosa said the students are among the best in the world, they audition to participate in PRISMA, and the instructional staff are also among the best symphonic musicians in the world.
Crossing policy
City council has adopted procedures for pedestrian crossings. Council passed a motion that the Pedestrian Crossing Control Manual for British Columbia be adopted as a formal policy, as recommended by the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia, and that existing mid-block crosswalks shall not be reviewed until traffic pattern changes, development, or area specific issues support a crosswalk warrant at an individual location.
Joining project
The city has agreed to provide a letter of support for Powell River Diversity Initiative’s application for a Job Creation Partnership for the project called Community Engagement in Social Planning: Tapping the Groundswell. It also appointed Councillor Rob Southcott as the council liaison to the project advisory committee.
Southcott said the six-month-long project that is proposed will probably provide some important initial work for the diversity initiative program.
“The committee would be given the gift of a lot of foundational work right off the bat,” he said. “I’m delighted that I’ve been asked to be liaison to that committee.”
Fee structure
City council has approved the Parks, Recreation and Culture Fees and Charges Bylaw 2400, 2015. It is a bylaw to establish fees and charges for the use of city facilities and services offered by the parks, recreation and culture department
Trash bash
City staff has been directed to work with local groups to assist with the curbside collection and disposal of material during the Trash Bash event, scheduled for Saturday, April 25.
