I had planned on attending and speaking at the special Council meeting to discuss the 2011 operating budget. Unplanned and extended business travel at the last minute (I was in Toronto on business) prevented me from returning on time to attend the meeting. Below is my e-mail sent to Mayor and Council on the morning of Dec 2.

Unexpected extended business travel in Toronto will prevent me from being able to attend the special Council meeting tonight where I was registered to speak to you to voice my concerns as Park Commissioner regarding the proposed $1.030 million cut to the 2011 Park Board operating budget.

Over the past three operating budgets, the reduction to the Park Board operating budget has been just over $5.2 million – four times more than the previous eight years combined. I acknowledge that we are in challenging economic times however the residents of Vancouver have told you in a recent survey that parks and recreation services are in the top three of service areas that they do not want cut and in fact they want protected. Last year the Board was asked to reduce its budget by $3.9 million which meant we had to reduce recreation services – as a result valuable children’s summer programs were eliminated. Surely if Council can find $30,000 to spend on backyard chicken studies, we can find the money to spend on kids and families.

I have two major areas of concern with the proposed cuts to the 2011 Park Board operating budget – the introduction of user fees for youth sports leagues to access playing fields and the pending closures of washrooms during the September to March period.

Sports leagues across this city have expressed to me grave concern about the impact the introduction of user fees will mean to their ability to deliver valuable sports programs. As an example Little Leagues have written to me highlighting they will have to pay an additional $3000 to $5000 per year per league to access ball diamonds. Money spent on fees for field use is not money spent on equipment, uniforms and skill development This will have a significant impact on all children and youth leagues in all neighborhoods across the city.

The closure of washrooms during the late fall/winter period will have a significant impact on residents of all ages. Given Vancouver’s relatively mild climate – people are outdoors all year round. Think about our elderly and other people that are reliant upon a washroom being close at hand. What about soccer games that are played this time of year? What are players and spectators supposed to do? All other municipalities around Vancouver provide washroom facilities in their public parks and playing fields; why can’t Vancouver?

Vancouver is known across North America for its world-class parks and recreation services – I ask that you reconsider the unreasonable cut to the park board budget. Surely this Mayor and Council do not want to leave a legacy of destroying a park board that many administrations before you have valued and supported.

Thank you for your time.

Ian Robertson
Commissioner
Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation