Despite Mayor Jordan Sturdy’s reluctance, the Village of Pemberton council has voted unanimously to proceed with a master plan for Lot 15. The three-acre parcel at the corner of Portage and Cottonwood is to be the site of the new recreation centre and other amenities including a daycare centre, youth centre and skateboard park.
"I would propose that we actually not carry forward with this until the construction manager is hired and I propose that we encourage the regional district (SLRD) to share the costs," said Sturdy of the plan at the Feb. 21 council meeting. "They’ve said they would be interested in cost-sharing all the facilities on the site."
Councillor Mark Blundell pointed out that while the recreation facility is a joint VOP-SLRD initiative, the land currently is owned by the village.
"I think it would be prudent to move forward quickly with site plan. We pay for it and we’ll negotiate in the terms of reference when the value of the land is determined. That way we can move forward," said the councilor.
David Allen, director of services for the VOP, echoed Blundell’s sentiment, stating that they were in a time crunch, particularly in regards to the Pemberton Childcare Society which now has funding in place and is "chomping at the bit" to begin work.
The contract to develop the master plan was awarded to Vancouver’s Iredale Group Architecture, the firm responsible for the distinctive The Squamish Adventure Centre. The approved motion also called for the cost of the $7,500 plan to be shared by all on-site developments on a pro rata basis.
In addition to the architectural planning component, the master plan will also include a civil engineering drainage and utility study as well as an environmental study.
The SLRD and VOP are currently involved in the hiring process of a construction manager for the recreation centre.
