The City of Maple Ridge is inviting the public to help shape Maple Ridge’s new recreation facilities in Hammond.
The city is kicking off community engagement, asking residents and user groups about their needs and wants in a new multi-use recreational facility at Hammond Community Park.
The community is invited to share ideas through an online survey available at engage.mapleridge.ca/move-meet-play until Feb. 23, and at open house meetings taking place over the coming weeks.
Hammond Community Park has been identified as the preferred site for the city’s future aquatics facility and ice sheet – priorities identified in the Parks, Recreation and Culture (PRC) Master Plan council adopted in February 2023. As a city-owned property and home to the aging Hammond Community Centre and outdoor pool, the site is seen as ideal to minimize land purchase costs.
“The city is very interested to learn how residents and user groups think the new facility will meet their needs,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “We know our city is rapidly growing and there is a huge demand for more recreation. We see this as an opportunity to create a large, state-of-the-art centre where people can move, meet and play. We want everyone to share their ideas with us. Your feedback will help shape a facility that’s accessible and meets the diverse needs of our community. This is your future place.”
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The city has hired hcma architecture and design to undertake a feasibility study. Through citizen engagement and site analysis they will determine the scale and type of facility needed.
The open houses will take place:
• Wednesday, Jan.31 - 5 to 8 p.m. at Maple Ridge Public Library
• Sunday, Feb. 11 - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Maple Ridge Leisure Centre
• Thursday, Feb. 15 - 4 to 7 p.m. at Planet Ice Arena
In addition, focus group meetings will be held with a variety of user groups, community groups and key partners including Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows School District.
The 13-acre Hammond Community Park site was chosen by staff, because it meets all the requirements as there is sufficient space, it’s fully serviced, accessible by transit and near a major transportation route. It’s also owned by the city, eliminating the cost of buying land. In addition, Hammond Community Centre requires accessibility and building upgrades, and the outdoor pool is nearing the end of its service life.
Detailed designing, program refinement and a funding model will follow the completion of the feasibility study and further discussion by council in fall 2024.
If the project were to proceed, the intent is to integrate the existing Hammond Community Centre and pool programming into the new facility. The park’s baseball fields would be re-constructed in a different location with an enhanced experience recognizing the legacy of Major League Baseball hall of fame outfielder Larry Walker, after whom an existing field is named.
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