City parks planners are holding two open houses next week for the public to drop by and learn what the future holds for Minoru Park.
“Information gathered via LetsTalkRichmond.ca and during the open houses will contribute to the development of guiding principles that will be presented to City Council for approval. Once approved, the guiding principles will be used to create Minoru Park concept plan options, which will be presented to the public for feedback in the summer of 2017,” stated a city news release.
The park is already undergoing major changes, with a new pool and seniors’ centre being built at the old Minoru Pavillion site. The new Minoru Complex is behind schedule but set to open by year’s end.
Planners have suggested that the old Aquatics Centre be demolished and returned to green space, as the new Minoru Complex replaced a soccer field. No decision has been made and land-use in that area may be up for discussion.
The park has also seen refurbished sports fields, including the installation of artificial turf.
A plan to dredge the ponds as they become overrun with sediment has been postponed until after completion of Minoru Complex.
In 2014, in the course of discussing how big the new pool should be, there were some suggestions a new parkade be built, at which point Mayor Malcolm Brodie expressed that he didn’t want to see the park touched any more than it has been.
The 45-acre Minoru Park is home to the historic Minoru Chapel and the aging Minoru Arenas. Clement Track is host to the city’s main track and field events. Wooded walking paths are popular amongst seniors and hospital visitors.
