The City says the gathering plaza will provide valuable community space which can be easily programmed for small events and gatherings. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

park upgrades

Long-awaited gathering plaza in Parksville set for spring construction

Feb 24, 2023 | 6:27 AM

PARKSVILLE — Local residents will have a brand new space to get together this summer.

The tender for a new gathering plaza in Parksville’s Community Park was awarded to Milestone Equipment Contracting Inc., in the amount of $1.55 million during the Wednesday, Feb. 22 Parksville City Council meeting.

Manager of special projects Graham Gidden said this project has been in the works for a number of years.

“The gathering plaza was identified as a priority in the 2017 Parksville Community Park Master Plan. In January 2019, the gathering plaza was included in the Community Culture and Recreation (CCR) grant application, along with the outdoor theatre.”

A large portion of the project is being paid for by the provincial government’s CCR grant, which totalled $1.23 million.

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Just over $800,000 of the grant was used for the outdoor theatre completed last summer, with about $460,000 used for the gathering plaza.

Construction includes demolition of the existing hard scape, paving of the plaza and path, seating, tables, benches, bike racks, and electrical and potable water services which can support food trucks and performances.

Councillors voted unanimously to award the tender.

Some areas of Parksville Community Park will be closed during construction, however crews are aiming to be done before the peak summer season.

Gidden said the project is challenging due to its location in the heart of the park surrounding the existing washroom building, and

“The construction fencing will be moved around to allow as much movement of people through that area and to access the washrooms when we can, but that whole area, including Sandcastle Dr, will have closures between the starting of the project.”

He said portable washrooms will be available whenever the public washrooms are not available, including ones to accommodate those with mobility issues such as wheelchairs.

Councillor Sylvia Martin called the project “tremendous” and a “jewel”.

“There’s seniors that have all of their children coming here, who say it’s the best place they’ve ever seen, and we’re enhancing it and making it better as the years go by is a real wise thing in my judgment.”

Additional funding for the project is also coming from the federal government gas tax, plus roughly $25,000 in City funds.

Work on the project is expected to being in March, with a tentative completion date being the end of June.

More information on the project is available at the City of Parksville’s website.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow