Maple Ridge voters will decide whether the city can borrow $393 million for recreation projects, when they vote in local elections this October.
The three projects are a new aquatics and recreation centre in Hammond, re-developing the Maple Ridge Golf Course into a 40-acre multi-use park, and adding two new sheets of ice at Planet Ice.
At their June 30 meeting, city council directed staff to prepare for a vote in the Oct. 17 municipal election, to obtain voter approval to borrow funds for construction of the three projects. Each project will have its own question on the ballot.
It’s an issue that has the public’s attention, and council spent the first half hour of the meeting taking questions and comments from residents, with the majority opposed to the plan. The cost, the loss of the golf course, and impacts on Hammond neighbourhoods were among the reasons given.
The cost to a taxpayer with a $1 million home would be $90 in 2027, adding $90 per year and rising to $385 by 2030. That would cover all three projects.
Residents will be able to choose which facilities they want.
Councillors all said they have heard the public’s desire for more facilities.
“I’ve heard for many years in this community the need for an aquatic facility,” said Coun. Korleen Carreras.
She said a toddler in her own family had a near drowning, that was airlifted to Children’s Hospital.
“Drowning is the second leading cause of childhood death, and when kids can’t get into swim lessons it weighs really heavy on me.”
She also acknowledged the demand in organized sports, noting Ridge Meadows is the largest lacrosse association in Canada, and among the largest hockey and baseball associations in the province.
“The community will really decide which projects they want to move forward with, in the vote in October,” she said.
Coun. Onyeka Dozie said now is the time to build, or the projects will become more expensive.
“We are already late,” he said.
Mayor Dan Ruimy said on the campaign trail in 2022 he heard from people that recreation was the number one issue.
“We’ve put together a proposal, and now it’s going to be up to the people to decide,” he said.
“After today, it won’t be up to council – at least this council,” added Ruimy. “It’ll be up to the people, and the next council.”
With voter approval, construction of the multi-use community park is estimated to begin in 2027, followed by the arena expansion in 2028, and the aquatics centre in 2029.
Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre will be a year-round hub for swimming, fitness and recreation at Hammond Community Park, the current site of the Larry Walker and Hammond Stadium ball fields. Amenities would include a 37.5-metre, eight-lane pool, leisure pool with a lazy river, a fitness centre, studios, gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, arts and culture room, café and above and below-ground parking. The preliminary design cost estimate including contingencies is $227 million.
The multi-use park would include a baseball diamond with seating for 400, a diamond with seating for 200, batting cages, a washroom and field house, meeting and program room, plaza and parking, new trails and accessible green space.
The cost estimate for phase 1 is $23 million. Future amenities in phase 2 will be shaped through public engagement, and could include trails, view decks, picnic areas, play amenities, active play spaces, water spray park and more.
The arena expansion includes a rink with seating for 200, an arena with seating for 2,000 including premium viewing suites, a fitness centre, a walking track, multi-purpose rooms, a skate shop, concessions and parking. The cost estimate is $143 million.
About 60 per cent of the long-term borrowing would be repaid through property taxes, and about 40 per cent through Amenity Cost Charges on new development (ACCs). There could also be senior government grants and sponsorships.
Coun. Judy Dueck said people agree about the need for more infrastructure.
“The question for this council, and the future council, is when is the right time to move forward on these projects.”
“I really encourage everyone to get out, get informed, ask questions, and think about the community as a whole.”
Residents can learn more about the plans at MapleRidge.ca/RecreationReady and at information sessions on July 9 at the Greg Moore Youth Centre, and Aug. 5 at the Albion Community Centre.