Princeton has adopted a master plan that will lay the foundation for the next 10 years of recreation in the town.
At the regular meeting of council on March 19, the town briefly discussed the 10-year recreation master plan that was presented by Lee & Associates at the committee of the whole meeting on March 11. Council members talked about the asset management of recreational facilities.
Councillor Barb Gould wanted some clarification surrounding the facilities, as she stated that the plan did mention strategically updating the existing infrastructure such as the arena, but did not mention the tennis courts which need resurfacing. Chief Administrative Officer Lyle Thomas said that additional asset management, which is separate from the plan, is needed.
"We do need to do an evaluation of all of our existing facilities and infrastructure as far as upgrades or replacements, so that's another very detailed action," he said.
The plan included assessments of current facilities and programs, reviews of previous and ongoing planning efforts, and community feedback which helped identify recreational needs. It also provided a vision and goals to help guide decision-making that is supported by recommendations for services and investments for the next decade.
There are a few facilities and parts of the town that the plan highlights, as well as infrastructure that is lacking. Princeton currently does not have a multipurpose indoor facility for recreation programming, which is a challenge for meeting community needs, especially for year-round opportunities. Centennial Outdoor Pool is almost at the end of its life and the next closest pool is over an hour away in Penticton. The pool is used by the swim club in the summer and aquatic programs such as swim lessons and Aquafit, so a replacement is highly supported despite being a financial and operational challenge.
The Princeton and District Arena needs renovations to improve accessibility and operations. Parks, trails and outdoor recreation amenities also need upgrades as they have been negatively impacted by flooding.
The plan stated that community involvement is essential to the vision, principles, goals and recommendations that will help guide Princeton's actions for recreation services over the next 10 years.
"Our recreation system is central to our community's well-being and resiliency, [and] we provide well-maintained parks, trails, and recreation facilities that meet the needs of our growing community, attract visitors and are financially viable," the plan stated. "We offer year-round opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to recreate, socialize, and develop new skills."
