At the July 28 Regular Council Meeting, Delta Council received reports on three major initiatives that will shape the future of parks, recreation and culture in the city: the John Oliver Park Master Plan, the new Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan, and the final Sports Field Needs Assessment report.
“These are exciting projects that reflect our commitment to supporting a growing and active community,” said Mayor George V. Harvie. “We want to thank park users and the sports organizations that have contributed to date and are looking forward to hearing from residents as we move ahead with long-term planning for our parks, programs, and sports facilities.”
The Sports Field Needs Assessment was created with input from 31 sports organizations. It found that Delta has a sufficient supply of fields to meet projected demand over the next decade, once key projects currently underway are completed. The study also confirmed that Delta residents benefit from more synthetic turf fields, natural turf fields, and ball diamonds per capita than many neighbouring municipalities. Moving forward, the City will focus on maximizing the efficiency of field use by updating fee structures, refining allocation policies, and making targeted improvements to enhance flexibility and user experience. Results of the Sports Field Needs Assessment will also directly inform two major initiatives:
- John Oliver Park Master Plan
Identified in the assessment as an ideal location for a centralized athletic and tournament hub, John Oliver Park will be the focus of a master planning process. Building on ideas shared by sport groups, three example layout options have been created to support discussion with the community. The feedback collected from residents will help shape a final site plan. As the park is located on the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), the final site plan will also require review and approval by the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC).
- Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan
Delta is developing a long-term guiding document that will shape how Delta grows and designs its programs, services, amenities, and facilities over the next 25 years. The plan will establish a vision and priorities and guide decision-making as Delta’s population continues to grow.
Public engagement for both projects will begin this fall, with several opportunities for residents to provide feedback and help shape the future of Parks, Recreation & Culture in Delta. Details on how to get involved will be shared in the coming months.
For more information and to view the Sports Field Needs Assessment report, visit: letstalk.delta.ca/SportsFields
To learn more about the John Oliver Park Master Plan, visit: letstalk.delta.ca/JohnOliver
For more information on this news release, please contact media@delta.ca.