Botanical gardens, an art wall, pickleball court, velodrome and concert hall are just a few of the indoor and outdoor amenities that residents have put on their community wish list.
And there’s still time to fill in the blanks.
Residents have until June 20 to let the city know what should be built in the community within the next 10 years.
Red Deer city council will take the feedback into consideration while ultimately deciding what makes the cut for the 10-year capital plan at budget time in November.
At the recent 2015 budget open house, 135 residents named the top 12 amenities that they would like in the future Red Deer. The city is analyzing the responses.
The same priority amenity worksheet is expected to be on the city’s website this week. Residents can also pick up a hard copy at city Communications, on the main floor of City Hall.
The 135-amenity list was driven through the recent Let’s Talk event, an online survey and items already approved in long-term planning documents and amenities required for the 2019 Canada Winter Games.
Charity Dyke, acting director of communications, said residents are now asked to prioritize the items on the entire list.
“There does seem to be a theme coming out,” said Dyke. “The community really sees the importance in our trails, trail connections and our greenspace preservation.”
Dyke said responses are still coming in from the open house and they expect to have concrete themes when the process is completed.
Starting in July, council will begin looking at all the data, including information from the upcoming Ipsos Reid Survey on Red Deer and recommendations from the ad hoc aquatic centre review committee.
“I think it’s really important for people to get engaged with this process,” said Dyke. “We have given them a number of opportunities to do that. We will continue to do that until June 20 because it’s their voice that we are looking for as we are informing council in July.”
Dyke said the public’s input is one piece of the puzzle that will allow council to make decisions. She said council will also consider funding, economic opportunity, timing and other criteria.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com