Saturday July 27, 2024 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The SEAPARC Recreation Centre in Sooke is a key facility in the region. It’s owned and operated by the Capital Regional District (CRD) but it’s a fixture of the local Sooke community.
It’s where fitness happens but also a wide range of community events like the Sooke Fine Arts Show every summer and the Festival of Trees fundraiser for the BC Children’s Hospital every December.
It was one of the first locations in the community to have an electric vehicle (EV) plug-in station.
In April 2018, SEAPARC Leisure Complex received a $1.24 million grant from the Strategic Priorities Federal Gas Tax Fund to support the expansion of a new Weight Room, Fitness Studio and Board Room. The Capital Regional District (CRD) supported the SEAPARC Recreation Centre expansion with a loan; that loan will be paid off in January 2025.
There is now a push by reason of increasing population growth to take a look at what the facility needs to offer to residents of the local area.
Starting with public input this summer, a new 10-year SEAPARC strategic plan for 2025-2035 will be developed.
Management and name change:
SEAPARC Manager Melanie Alsdorf has been on the job now at SEAPARC for over two years. She previously worked at the Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich for over 19 years. She has a B.Sc. in kenesiology and exercise science.
Alsdorf provided input to the SEAPARC facility name change decision — to consider changing the facility name from SEAPARC Leisure Complex to SEAPARC Recreation Centre. She outlined her thoughts on the word ‘leisure’ vs ‘recreation’. The SEAPARC Commission adopted the new name at their January 2, 2024 meeting.
Alsdorf is excited to hear what the residents of Sooke and Juan de Fuca want to see in the next phases of their local recreation facility.
Public input on 2025-2035 Strategic Plan:
Public input is being conducted through a online survey, two open houses and some focus groups.
- The survey is already active (launched on July 22) and is available to August 25.
- The open houses are coming up Saturday August 10 (1 to 5 pm) and Wednesday August 21 (5 to 9 pm).
- The focus groups will be coordinated by SEAPARC and their consulant for this project, to meet with youth and other target groups such as arena users, the local school district (Sooke School District – SD62), the municipality (District of Sooke), social serving agencies, and arts organizations.
- Engagement with the local First Nations is available as well: paaʔčiidʔatx̣ (Pacheedaht) First Nation, T’Sou-ke Nation, and Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) First Nation
Consultant:
A consultant has been brought in because “it’a large chunk of work” to carry out such a broad project of public input, says Alsdorf.
SEAPARC has retained the services of HDR Architecture Associates who understand the value of community recreation and will work with SEAPARC staff to ensure that community engagement and collaboration with partners and interested parties remains a priority throughout the process.
Some specifics may emerge:
For many years there has been talk around Sooke for dedicated spaces for teen activities and also for seniors. Alsdorf input will be received from interested parties on both those fronts. There is an age-friendly committee in town with which one of the SEAPARC program manager Colleen Hoglund participates.
There is a concession stand near the arena at SEAPARC. Would that expand, or is it even needed?
SEAPARC is up a long driveway off of Phillips Road. Is public transportation to SEAPARC sufficient to get there? A route by BC Transit does arrive at the building at this time.
Should more programming be offered beyond the walls of the facility at 2168 Phillips Road? For example, already some pilates classes have been held in Shirley and at the Beecher Bay Marina.
Parking lot & EV stations:
Several years ago the SEAPARC parking lot was expanded. There are already several Accessibility parking spots.
Presently there are two electric vehicle (EV) charging statins. That is being expanded, with four more charging stations coming within the regular parking lot area out front of the building.
SEAPARC Commission:
The 2025-2035 strategic plan is being developed in alignment with the 2023-26 CRD Board Priorities and will shape the capital planning process for new facilities and programs, incorporating input provided, assessing current and future capacity needs, and addressing identified service requirements for the next decade.
The SEAPARC Commission has discussed the need for more input, and having a 10-year plan compared to the previous 15-year plan. The commission is currently chaired by District of Sooke Councillor Al Beddows.
“We invite every resident to contribute, ensuring our services continue to enrich lives and foster a vibrant, healthy community. Your input is vital in guiding our path forward,” says Beddows.
Taxpayers from Sooke and Juan de Fuca pay into the CRD facility and operations. Commission members are:
- Maja Tait, Regional Director & Mayor, District of Sooke
- Al Beddows, Councillor, District of Sooke
- Noah Dowhy, District of Sooke
- Dal Little, District of Sooke
- Al Wickheim, Regional Director, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area
- James Warner, Juan de Fuca Electoral Area
The youth member is Nora Quint.
Timeline:
Other than a discretionary meeting on August 6, the SEAPARC Commission has three scheduled meetings coming up where public input results could be considered: September 3, October 1, and November 5. There is a December 3 “at the call of the chair”.
===== RELATED:
- Youth summer passes at SEAPARC Recreation in Sooke (June 24, 2024)
- SEAPARC bridges spring & summer in mid-2024 activity guide (March 15, 2024)
- Celebrating the Weight Room & Fitness Studio at SEAPARC (May 27, 2022)
- NEWS SECTIONS: SOOKE | CRD | VANCOUVER ISLAND
===== ABOUT THE WRITER:
Island Social Trends Editor Mary P Brooke formerly published West Shore Voice News (2014-2020) and before that Sooke Voice News (2011-2013) as well as MapleLine Magazine (2008-2010); all of those publications are now permanently archived at the Sooke Region Museum.
Ms Brooke was the program activity guide designer for SEAPARC during 2008-2010.
Mary was a community-active resident of Sooke and business owner there for 10 years before relocating her publishing company to Langford in 2017.
Ms Brooke has reported alongside the BC Legislative Press Gallery since 2020, including building a COVID pandemic news archive.
Starting in 2024, Ms Brooke also now leads the Urban Food Resilience Initiatives Society (UFRIS).