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By Justin Dionne

Plans moving forward for new rec facility and other Council highlights

Feb 25, 2019 | 9:43 PM

It’s looking like we’ll eventually see new indoor and outdoor volleyball courts in the city.

City Council approved the decision to amend the Land Use Bylaw during Monday’s meeting which would allow for the development of a new commercial recreation facility at 8204-84 Street.

Project Organizer Kara Endresen says the next step is to get a development permit, and that Grande Prairie has a lot of athletes who will benefit from the new facility.

“Calgary and Vancouver have indoor beach volleyball courts, so I thought beach volleyball’s popular, Grande Praire’s a big volleyball town, and I thought that would be a fun thing to have,” says Endresen. “There’s lots of kids that need lots of stuff to do and wear off energy, and I figured we could just use some sand in the winter.”

While one resident voiced concerns about the project regarding security, development and traffic at last night’s council meeting, Endresen says she’s sure the project’s organizers can work with concerned neighbors to address problems they may have with the facility.

“We’ve actually had some of the other neighbors drop in and show lots of support for the project. I’m sure we can find ways to work together to make everybody happy. Our plan isn’t to step on any toes and create any hard feelings, it’s to get along and have more fun in the community.”

The facility will allow for about 20 volleyball players to play at a time. Endresen says the facility will also have an indoor playground. She’s hoping the volleyball courts will be ready in a few months.

Other Council highlights:

Council has adopted the 2018 Storm Drainage Master Plan which reviews the city’s existing drainage design standards and puts the wheels in motion for a new long-term drainage plan that would support the growth in population.

Council gave first reading to Lending Bylaw C-1395 – Loan to the Swan City Hockey Association. This was the first step in the technical process to enact the $200,000 loan to the Grande Prairie Storm.

Heracio Galanti was appointed as the new City Manager by Council. Galanti has spent the last six years as the City’s Director of Infrastructure and Protective Services. 

by Justin Dionne