Continuing from our first article on some big-ticket items coming up at the June 10 and June 11 Committee of the Whole meeting at City Hall, a few more items deserve attention: a report on the Live and Play Plan and some items regarding MTSAs.

The report on the Live and Play Plan has a wide range of recommendations for future recreation infrastructure. It’s a continuation of the original 2009 plan — due for an update — that looks at arenas, ball diamonds, parks, and other city-owned facilities that fall under the umbrella of Parks and Recreation.

The 2023 study was undertaken by London, Ont.-based consultants Monteith Brown, a company that has a history of parks and recreation plans and studies under its belt.

We’re told that there was extensive public engagement, discussion with user groups and the city’s Seniors’ Advisory Committee, and a 15-day online survey that has since been closed.

Among the recommendations, with a timeline of the next 20–25 years, is a complete reworking of all facilities at Central Park, from bandshell to arena to outdoor amenities, and the Seniors’ Centre. Below is a map showing a possible configuration.

Other parks and community centres also go under the microscope with the consultants, trying to answer questions about the needs of a growing population with changing demographics and lifestyle choices while utilizing existing spaces and developing partnerships with other community players.

One sticking point might be around not just what to call the Burlington Seniors’ Centre but where to put it or to instead spread the programs throughout the city at other community centres. It’s all, it seems, up for grabs.

The recommendation from staff is for council to “Endorse in principle the Live and Play Plan as presented in Appendix A of recreation, community, and culture department report RCC-12-24 as the guiding document for the future development of park, recreation, and cultural facilities.”

The report, though by no means written in stone, is meant to “serve as a foundation to build the Live and Play Plan.” However, today’s residents may want to see what might become of their beloved parks and facilities — both increases and reductions, before shovels hit the ground.

Who knows if pickleball will be as popular in 20 years time? Will seniors still want to lawn bowl, play shuffleboard, have a cheap lunch at the Bistro, play cards and mahjong, or will some other activities take over?

A link to the Monteith Brown document is here: Appendix A.

Other items of note at COW will focus on MTSAs, with an official plan amendment and community planning permit bylaw to implement special reductions to minimum parking limits within MTSAs and nearby corridors to help foster condos and residential building development.

Under Report PL-03-24, it states, “The implementation of the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) is identified in the City’s Action Plan for the Housing Accelerator Fund and is a crucial element of the City’s commitment to the Federal Government to create more housing supply at an accelerated pace and to enhance certainty in the approvals process”.

Under consideration is what’s called “open parking requirements” — eliminating parking requirements and allowing businesses and developers to determine how much parking to provide.

Some parking, however, will be required for accessible parking and bicycle spaces.