The City of Pitt Meadows is hosting a grand opening event for its new parks and recreation department and is seeking public feedback about desired services.
The event is on Sunday Nov. 6, from 12-2:30 p.m., with free activities, such as yoga, crafts and "DanceFit," celebrating the re-opening of the family rec facility after some maintenance.
Mayor John Becker and council will be present to cut a ceremonial ribbon.
A year ago, Maple Ridge council decided to end the partnership, called the joint parks and leisure services agreement.
A consultant’s report indicated Pitt Meadows was saving about $1 million per year because of the 80/20 cost sharing partnership, while it was costing Maple Ridge $200,000 more per year than if it was operating on its own.
The cities tried to work out a deal to even the costs, but in October 2015 Maple Ridge council decided to exit the agreement which had been in place since 1994.
Pitt Meadows will staff 23 full-time positions with 37 employees in the new rec department.
Because the fall programs run from September to December, both city council agreed that Maple Ridge will continue to deliver programming until the end of the year, even though the formal agreement expires at the end of the month.
So Pitt Meadows will not begin providing recreation services until January 2017.