M.D. of Bonnyville preparing to gather long-term recreation plans for area

The M.D. of Bonnyville is moving forward on recreation planning in the area.

RC Strategies + Perc, the same company that did the Bonnyville pool feasibility study and M.D. outdoor rec park study, was chosen to do the municipality’s recreation master plan, which will take a larger, more comprehensive look at all the recreation spaces and needs within the M.D.

Reeve Greg Sawchuk said on The Morning After they’re continuing to focus on recreation.

“We do a lot of work with our neighbors so with the town with the city, and Glendon as well, what we’re trying to do, rather than looking at each one individually, trying to look at our region and how we can come up with a plan that makes sure that we meet the recreational needs, but without duplicating them everywhere.”

The M.D.’s previous survey looked at recreation needs for the area.

It found the top indoor recreation priority to be an indoor swimming pool, twice the support of any other indoor activity, while the top outdoor priorities from residents were boat launches, outdoor pools and trails.

Sawchuk said heading into budget deliberations, the M.D. must look at the needs or residents first over the wants.

The proposed outdoor recreation park would cost between $17-22 million and a swimming pool at the Centennial Centre would also come with a multi-million dollar pricetag.

“Those wishlist items that you may have, we have to make sure that the roads are plowed, that they’re graded, that they’re smooth, that people aren’t going to lose their lose their tires driving down a bad road, before we look at those higher end things, the thrills,” he said.

It anticipated the recreation master plan would be finished in mid-2020.

The cost is just under $34,000.