If you are wondering about some of the changes coming to Burke Mountain, we have a great update area parks.
In December of 2014, council and city staff presented a series of conceptual plans for both Victoria Park and Leigh Park. The two parks are being developed together to ensure amenities at each park are complementary to each other.
There was a public open house to get resident input in 2013. Now based on your comments, staff is bringing forward a series of plans for each park for council to review.
For Victoria Park both plans feature a sport court, a small super 8 size soccer field beside the baseball diamond, a picnic shelter, skate spot, and a tot lot. Is this too much development?
Leigh Park is on a slope so different amenities are proposed there. Both plans recommend a bike skills area, trails and park benches. One plan suggests an off leash dog area while the other plan suggests a set of tennis courts instead.
Tennis courts are best built in sets of three and while there is room here, they would take up a large portion of this park, require the removal of more trees and cost more money. Staff will be recommending tennis courts be considered for a different Burke Mountain location.
If approved, construction will begin this year with Leigh Park scheduled for completion in 2016. Victoria Park will be finished in 2017 at a combined cost of 2.9 million dollars.
Another amazing update is the Burke Mountain Firehall on David, which is in its last stages of being completed. This will not only bring an excellent service to our community but it should help to lower our home Insurance as well.