Saanich is getting the ball is rolling on the years-long process to redevelop Lambrick Park.
“We’re a growing community, our rec centres are busting at the seams with activity and program use,” Mayor Dean Murdock said at a Monday (May 27) meeting of council. “There’s clearly a growing demand.”
Council heard how parts of the park are under-utilized and not sufficient for an area that has grown considerably since the parkland was purchased from the Lambrick family in the late 1960s.
Recent changes such as the planned closure of the ice rink at the University of Victoria’s Ian Stewart Complex also mean increased demand for recreation services at Lambrick.
Local baseball franchises have called for upgrading facilities at the park for several years now.
How much of an upgrade this will all be is still up in the air.
There are still three ways the district can go: a light growth option with a refining of existing facilities, a full redevelopment of current buildings with sports and park upgrades, or the high growth option that would include complete site redevelopment and the building of integrated subsidized housing.
All of this is to be figured out in a phased approach that was approved by Saanich council on Monday. Phase one will include finalizing which general direction the district will take, and is expected to be completed in 2024.
The plan is to have work begin sometime after 2027.
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