“It has taken a while (years) but finally the proposed new park in Blackpool has made our agenda for next Thursday!” says Tim Pennell, Thompson-Nicola Regional District director for Wells Gray Country (Area A).
During the TNRD board of directors meeting today (Oct. 11), staff will recommend to the board that the regional district enter into a License of Occupation agreement with the Star Lake Women’s Institute (owners of Blackpool Hall).
The agreement would allow the TNRD to develop, operate and maintain a community park at the hall.
“I’m looking forward to getting the ball rolling on that,” Pennell said.
A report from staff noted that the community of Blackpool has requested the development of a community park and Star Lake Women’s Institute has agreed to provide the necessary land. The regional district would then have tenure through a lease to develop, maintain and operate the park.
There would be no fees involved in obtaining the lease, Pennell said.
The land was subdivided off from the property the Blackpool Firehall sits on several years ago, the TNRD director said.
It stretches from Old North Thompson Highway along Ferry Road to Thompson Crossing manufactured home park and includes a piece of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline right-of-way.
Currently $55,000 has been allocated in the Electoral Area A (Wells Gray Country) parks budget for development of the Blackpool Community Park. Possibly more funding could be acquired during the next intake under Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund, which is expected in November.
Having a secure tenure on the property would be a benefit when applying for funding, the TNRD director noted.
Possible improvements could include such things as a walking trail, a basketball hoop, and children’s play equipment. All changes would only be made following consultation with SLWI, Pennell said.