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Joint parks and rec master plan gets approved in Battleford

The Town of Battleford has now joined North Battleford in adopting in principle the Joint Parks and Recreation Master Plan involving the town and the city.
Michael Roma of RC Strategies + PERC makes the presentation of the Joint Parks and Recreation Master
Michael Roma of RC Strategies + PERC makes the presentation of the Joint Parks and Recreation Master Plan to Battleford council Monday. Screenshot by John Cairns Michael Roma of RC Strategies + PERC makes the presentation of the Joint Parks and Recreation Master Plan to Battleford council Monday. Screenshot by John Cairns

The Town of Battleford has now joined North Battleford in adopting in principle the Joint Parks and Recreation Master Plan involving the town and the city.

The town discussed the Master Plan at length during Monday’s council meeting, the final one for the town’s current term before the Nov. 9 election. The master plan had already been approved by the city at their meeting Oct. 13. Now with Battleford voting in favour, it has now received approval on both sides of the river.

The document outlines the vision for parks and recreation in the Battlefords and for how the two communities can manage the assets. It will act as a guide to future parks and recreation development in the Battlefords.

At town council Monday, councillors heard a presentation from Michael Roma of RC Strategies + PERC, the consulting firm that prepared the document. The Master Plan has been in the works for the past year and a public review process has already taken place.

It was emphasized at the meeting that the Master Plan approval didn’t mean total integration of parks and recreation in the Battlefords.

Roma explained the document was meant to “provide a framework for how you could get together and give you some inputs into those discussion you would likely have,” but “really not be conclusive about any of that”.

That point was echoed by members of council, who made clear it didn’t tie the hands of council on what it could do. “It doesn’t mean we will co-fund everything that comes around,” said councillor Shelley Boutin-Gervais.

Councillor Doug Laing noted the new document provides a “starting point” and “something we can start having discussions with” involving the city.

The feeling expressed at council was that the document would be a good one for the next council to work with and spur discussions. The vote to adopt the Parks and Rec Master Plan was carried at council unanimously.