Director Cheryl DeNeire, front centre, discusses North Battleford Parks and Recreation proposals for 2024.(Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Budget 2024

City Parks and Recreation highlights proposals for 2024

Nov 21, 2023 | 7:44 AM

North Battleford City Council sat down for a planning committee meeting Monday to hear the details of city administration’s proposed 2024 budget.

During the session, Director of Parks & Recreation Cheryl DeNeire discussed plans and ideas for the department for the year ahead.

One of the items on the list was a proposal for renovations at the Access Communications Centre to create washrooms that are accessible for those with mobility issues.

City Manager Randy Patrick mentioned the city has fuel tax dollars to use up, and this project could fit within the scope of the funds.

As well, it was noted when Access Communications purchased naming rights, it wanted to put resources back into the facility to improve it for the community and this is one way to do that – to improve accessibility.

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Another project that was discussed was a proposal to create a permanent outdoor rink, with fencing around it, at Centennial Park. A Zamboni could be used on it during the winter to keep the ice clean, while in the summer the site could be modified for other recreational uses.

“Centennial Park is a hub for recreation,” DeNeire said.

City Finance Director Margarita Pena noted the city might be able to receive a grant for the project, which would reduce the cost.

There was some discussion on whether the location would work considering the city has long-term plans to replace the arena at some point in the future.

However, Patrick mentioned it would likely be three or four years at least before another arena is built.

“We are looking for funding [for the outdoor rink],” he said. “If we don’t have funding, we’ll come back to council.”

Some other initiatives the Parks and Recreation Dept. is projecting include improvement work on the Don Ross Centre rooftop.

The city also is looking to create a splash park beside Connaught School in the next three years, as proposed by the Rotary Club of the Battlefords.

DeNeire mentioned the Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre pool needs to be shut down for about six weeks for some upgrade work.

Following the meeting, Mayor David Gillan said he thought the session went well.

“It’s our first night deliberating on our budget,” he said. “There’s obviously a lot of information. There are some questions that administration is going to look into, but a good start.”

Gillan noted the projects discussed were not approved yet at this point, since it’s early in the budget deliberation process.

“Right now, we’re just looking at the projects and considering,” he said. “We’re just investigating. We’re learning, understanding, questioning, and absorbing. Each night we take our notes. It will all culminate at the end, and we’ll make some decisions about where we see some opportunities maybe to reduce. It’s too early to say.”

The next deliberation meeting will take place this Thursday, starting at 5 p.m. The topics to be discussed include Police Services, Fire and Protective Services, and Operation Services. The session will also cover Infrastructure, Waste Management, Water and Sanitary Sewer departments.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow