Salmo seeks public input on parks
By Diane Kalen-Sukra
The Village of Salmo is seeking public input on the use, function, and infrastructure in Salmo’s two community parks – Lions Park and Knights of Pythias (KP) Park. A survey form is available online and at the Village office and ideas and suggestions are due by May 15, 2017. The Village intends to use the input to shape parks master planning.
The survey comes on the heels of major improvements to Salmo’s main community park – Knights of Pythias Park in 2015 and 2016. These improvements include the construction of a new play structure, new sand and campground waterlines, ball field rebuilds, dugout repair and rebuilds, concession planning and drawing, dangerous tree assessment and removal and GIS surveying of the park. These $110,000 in investments were made possible through a grant by Columbia Basin Trust of $75,000.
“These are exciting times for Salmo. We have been able to make many improvements to our parks in the past two years and are looking to make further investments,” says Mayor White. “We’d like to hear from everyone on what improvements will further enhance park use and meet the needs of people of all ages.”
Last year, the Village of Salmo made significant improvements to Springboard Park, a 17-acre natural forest area owned and maintained by the Village of Salmo. See story here.
The Village is currently fundraising in the hopes of constructing a new concession stand and field house in KP Park. The proposed concession stand was designed by Cover Architecture of Nelson, BC and includes a 1,000 square feet winterized building complete with full commercial kitchen, kitchen storage, walk-in cooler, staff washroom, public washroom, recreational storage and a community meeting space of about 250 square feet. The new construction is expected to cost $304,560. Fortis BC has already donated $5,000 and grants applications have been submitted to supplement the Village contribution.
The Village of Salmo owns almost 50 acres of parks and open space, more than double the national recommended per capita standard. Broad public input has been received on the use and protection of these community assets through the Sustainable Salmo Official Community Plan consultation. A draft can be found at www.sustainablesalmo.ca. Parks and Recreation are covered in Part 3, Natural Environment.
