For immediate release
March 20, 2017
SLRD and Village of Pemberton exploring partnership opportunities regarding soccer field proposed for Pemberton Farm Road East Recreation Lands:
Discussions to include possibility of adding proposed field to shared Pemberton & District Recreation Service; management of Recreation Service also being discussed
Pemberton, BC – The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (“SLRD”) and the Village of Pemberton (“the Village”) have entered into discussions regarding a soccer field being proposed by the Village for a site near the Pemberton Plateau neighbourhood. The Village has been pursuing the possibility of developing a soccer field at the location since 2016, which is a component of the Recreation Site concept plan, created in 2013.
The proposed soccer field would be developed on land located on Pemberton Farm Road East about 3 km from downtown Pemberton, which was gifted to the Village by the Den Duyf family for recreation purposes. Conveniently located along the planned Friendship Trail route, the field would be easily accessible by walkers and cyclists from Pemberton, Mount Currie and some parts of SLRD Area C. Site preparation for the field has already begun; the site was preloaded with river gravel fill and other structural material last year, which was provided by the neighbouring development, The Ridge, through Community Amenity Contributions, a voluntary contribution from developers for the purpose of enhancing the community.
The Village recently invited the SLRD to discuss the possibility of developing the soccer field collaboratively by adding it as a new recreation amenity to the Pemberton & District Recreation Service, a shared service operated and funded by SLRD Area C and the Village of Pemberton and managed by the SLRD. Preliminary discussions between the two organizations are now underway, and will include an analysis of projected costs and potential grant funding opportunities. Project options such as whether to construct one field or two and whether to use grass or artificial turf will also be explored, with cost, potential savings and site conditions noted as important factors. The Village will act as the project manager as plans move forward.
The SLRD currently oversees management and administration of the shared recreation service, which operates and programs the Pemberton & District Community Centre, the REC (Youth and Senior Centre), Pemberton Meadows and Signal Hill fields, as well as Gates Lake Community Park.
In addition to discussing the possibility of adding the proposed soccer field as a new recreation amenity to the Pemberton & District Recreation Service, the SLRD and the Village also plan to use this opportunity to discuss the overall management and administration of the shared service. The SLRD has been managing the recreation service for approximately 20 years. However, with the addition of the proposed soccer field, the majority of the recreation amenities are located within the Village of Pemberton.
“Investment in our recreation assets and programming continues to be a priority for the Village. Not only does recreation provide for healthier lifestyles, it also provides enormous social benefits, improving the quality of life for everyone in the Pemberton Valley,” says Pemberton Mayor, Mike Richman. “We’re excited to work with the SLRD to maximize the recreation opportunities available in the valley, and to exploring whether it makes sense to shift the responsibility for managing the service to the Village at this time.”
“We’ve come a long way since the recreation service was first established, and we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished,” says SLRD Area C Director, Russell Mack. “We salute our recreation staff for their passion and commitment, and we look forward to working with the Village to ensure our shared recreation service continues to deliver excellent recreation programming and services to valley residents.”
Updates will be shared on the SLRD website (www.slrd.bc.ca) and on the Village website (www.pemberton.ca) as they become available.
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Media contacts:
Jeannette Nadon
Communications & Grants Coordinator
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
Telephone: (604) 894-6371 ext. 239
Email: jnadon@slrd.bc.ca
Jill Brooksbank
Communications & Grants Coordinator
Village of Pemberton
Telephone: (604) 894-6135 ext. 230
Email: jbrooksbank@pemberton.ca