RDCK establishes new recreation inclusion and access select committee
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
New opportunities are expected to be developing in recreation in the regional district, after the establishment of a new committee.
Developed through Community Services, the Regional District of Central Kootenay board of directors created the Recreation Inclusion and Access Select Committee at its Oct. 17 meeting.
The committee will be designed to develop new opportunities to “promote access and inclusivity in recreation for RDCK communities,” it was noted in the Oct. 17 agenda.
“The committee will establish strategic goals for reducing barriers to programs and services,” it read.
RDCK directors Andy Davidoff (electoral Area I) and Kelly Vandenberghe (electoral Area C) have been appointed to the committee and will work with regional district staff to develop a budget and sustainable delivery model.
In August the RDCK board approved a seven per cent increase to all fees at the Nelson and District Community Complex, as well as the Castlegar and Creston facilities, with Salmo and Area G Recreation.
Effective Sept. 5, the increase was based upon the March 2023 British Columbia cost of living index increase of seven per cent in 2022.
“Recreation services at the RDCK are funded through a combination of user fees and taxation, resulting in recreation being subsidized by the community for the benefit of the community,” read an RDCK staff report to the board on July 20.
The hike represents an increase of 51 cents for an adult single admission, moving from $7.26 to $7.77, while a youth admission rises by a quarter to $3.88. A child admission continues to be free, as does a golden guest (75 and over).
The new fees apply to drop-in, single-use, punch pass and time-based memberships, as well as rental rates for aquatics centres and other facilities.
More access
Last month the regional district created an accessibility advisory committee to advise and support any of the municipalities within the regional district who are unable to form their own accessibility advisory committees “due to the small size of their communities or due to having difficulties finding volunteers” to meet the requirements in accordance to the Accessibility British Columbia Act.
A bylaw to establish the regional accessibility advisory committee was created by the board the Aug. 17 meeting. It will “assist in identifying, removing and preventing barriers concerning accessibility to individuals in or interacting” with the RDCK, a report to the board noted.
The committee will help the regional district become more accessible and promote public engagement in accordance with the Act.
“The committee shall advise the regional district on identifying, preventing and eliminating barriers related to accessibility to people with disabilities in regional/municipal programs, services, initiatives and facilities,” a staff report read.
The committee will also work on the development of accessibility plans for the regional district and municipalities for “establishing process for receiving public comments throughout the region based on inclusion and the removal of physical, virtual and attitudinal barriers.”
Source: The Nelson Daily, Sept. 2023
