North Battleford lawmakers approved a firm's proposal to create a regional recreation master plan for the city and town. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Guiding recreation

City, town approve firm for regional recreation master plan

Aug 22, 2019 | 1:38 PM

City and town lawmakers gave a green thumbs up to hire a firm to create a regional parks and recreation master plan to cover both communities.

Both councils approved RC Strategies and PERC (Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants), of Sherwood Park, Alta., for the project at a cost of $97,090, which is within the overall amount approved by both communities.

The project should be complete by June 2020.

The aim of the joint project between Battleford and North Battleford is to develop a master plan for regional recreation facilities and assets. City and town administrators worked jointly to develop the initial request for proposal and to recommend the firm.

“It’s going to give some great information to both of our municipal governments about recreation facilities, their usage and future needs,” North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater said following council’s meeting.

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The mayor added it is good to see the city and town work together on the effort.

“Political boundaries are not visible,” he said. “They exist on maps, but in terms of how people live their lives they don’t really exist. This firm has experience with multi-jurisdictional clientele.”

CUplex General Manager Jodi Hargreaves said RC Strategies, which was recommended by the evaluation committee, had the most related experience. The firm had the best score of the nine bids received.

Battleford CAO John Enns-Wind said the company has demonstrated through previous work in Alberta and British Columbia they “have the political sensitivity to work in an area like ours.”

The contract for the project will be administered through the Town of Battleford, although the city will be actively involved.

Hargreaves’ report to council indicated the firm plans to explore how the city and town can work more collaboratively in providing recreation services and amenities.

RC Strategies will make recommendations to both councils as part of its report. The firm will outline priorities and action plans for short- and long-term planning.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW