City Council is poised to make significant amenity upgrades to Westwood Lake Park, one of Nanaimo's most popular outdoor recreational destinations. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

crown jewel

City council eyes expanded beach & parking, several improvements at Westwood Lake

May 21, 2021 | 5:34 AM

NANAIMO — Substantial improvements worth upwards of $1 million are potentially on the horizon for the city’s prized Westwood Lake Park.

City councillors unanimously endorsed a draft concept to better serve growing numbers of people enjoying the popular park, including in the range of 55 to 75 new parking stalls at the lot adjacent to Westwood Rd.

Richard Harding, the City’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, said the public will get their say during public consultations at the park this summer.

“It’s timely for us to go out and get that input from the public and then come back in the fall with more detailed designs and input from what the public has said,” Harding told a Wednesday, May 19 finance and audit committee meeting.

A list of conceptual improvements ranging between $750,000 and $1 million feature an additional beach area, new playground, renovated washrooms, more picnic tables, special event space, and improved vehicular entrance ways and exits.

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There is no timeline for when the upgrades could come to fruition.

Councillors decided to place the previously unfunded project into the draft 2022-2026 financial plan.

Coun. Erin Hemmens spoke strongly in favour of the initiative.

“In terms of return on investment I think this one is a clear winner, Westwood Lake is seeing more use every year. It’s also a key in terms of sports tourism with the growing mountain bike community.”

Coun. Ian Thorpe agreed, stating the public has made it clear improvements are badly needed at Westwood Lake Park.

More than 800 people use the trail surrounding Westwood Lake every day, while all three main parking access points to the park are heavily used, a City report stated.

In the early 1900’s Westwood Lake was dammed for electricity production, which was later abandoned in the 1950’s.

The City purchased the land and dedicated it for park use in 1957.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes