Sylvia Bishop isn’t wasting any time hitting the campaign trail.
Already having declared her candidacy for mayor in this fall’s civic election, Bishop this week pledged to address the big wish list of unfunded parks and recreation, as well as cultural, capital projects.
The two-term city councillor is promising to improve existing facilities, including everything from playgrounds and trails, to having turf fields she said sports organizations have been waiting for years to see happen. The improvements also include changes to John Oliver Park and having more covered shelters in parks.
“We hear from community and sports groups the need to improve playing fields, whether it’s for soccer, baseball or other sports. Unfortunately, we often have to say that there is not enough money in the budget and that they have to wait and join a long list of projects in our unfunded capital list. This has got to change, for everyone’s health, wellbeing and enjoyment of our healthy lifestyle,” said Bishop, the vice-chair of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Commission.
Bishop also said the condition of Delta’s tracks need improving, noting thousands of people use the school tracks.
Bishop is promising action on the heels of the school district recently removing the old rubberized track at South Delta Secondary due to its poor state. The district has been shining a spotlight on the need for new track facilities in North Delta and South Delta, hoping to find funding and also get the city involved.
Indoor sports including tennis have also been in the news lately with the private tennis club at the Delta Town & Country Inn facing the loss of their indoor playing structure if the proposed hotel/casino complex at the site is approved. The city has begun discussions behind the scenes with multiple user groups about the possibility of building a new indoor facility that could cater to multiple sports, not just tennis.
At Monday’s council meeting, the civic politicians are to discuss a motion put forward by Coun. Bruce McDonald to develop an agreement with the school district to pursue funding for tracks.
In her 2018 state of the city address, Mayor Lois Jackson, who is not seeking the mayor’s seat again in the next election, spoke of the many expansions for parks and recreation under her watch, such as the upgrade to the North Delta Recreation Centre and installing five synthetic turf fields across Delta “to foster a healthy community.” Adding the Delta Arts Centre and new museum further continues this expansion, she noted.
