2026-01-28
Operations
The Commission received quarterly operations and annual programming reports for the Nelson and District Community Complex. The air handler replacement was finished, including a heat pump head in the fitness centre, though staff were still working with contractors on a building air pressure problem affecting heat and humidity control. The leisure pool was scheduled to close February 17 to 20 for filter valve and pipe work, brought forward from the annual shutdown because of the condition of the valves.
Participation held up well across the board in 2025. Swim lessons ran 84 percent full on average, the waitlist dropped by 52 percent, and 277 people took lessons who had not in the previous two years. Fitness ran fewer classes with fewer instructors but average attendance rose 18 to 20 percent. Summer camps served 546 children. Total visits to the complex were up by close to 10,000 over 2024. The constraint is not demand. It is staffing and program space.
I was elected Chair of the Commission for 2026.
Aspirations
The Commission directed staff to bring back a report on a potential service to fund capital improvements across the Recreation Campus, setting out the process and the impact. That direction came out of the increase identified through the campus engagement consultation, and it is the piece of work that would give the Commission a durable way to pay for major renewal rather than handling each project on its own.
The Commission also recommended that the Board approve Nelson Search and Rescue installing a storage and training building at North Shore Hall, subject to building permit approval, with staff authorized to open lease amendment discussions. Search and Rescue carries all the costs. The structure gives them on-site gear storage and a rope training surface.
Civic Arena
The Civic Arena is City-owned and operated by the RDCK under an operating agreement, so its condition is a standing item for this Commission and a cost question for the City. The 2025/2026 operating season runs from October 14 to March 13. Snow load restrictions remain in place and are communicated to arena user groups through the allocation process. Staff monitor the load through the winter, and this season’s accumulation has not yet forced any impact on user groups.
Staff identified two major capital items that fall outside the operating agreement and are therefore the City’s responsibility. The Zamboni has reached the end of its useful life, with replacement estimated at roughly 170,000 dollars. The brine lines beneath the sand floor, and the wood sleeper structure they are attached to, are also at the end of their service life. No cost estimate is available for that work yet.
Challenges
The 2026 budget carries a heavy capital load. The refrigeration plant replacement at the complex is the largest item at roughly 1.05 million dollars, alongside an arena dehumidifier at 400,000 dollars, major pool work at 200,000 dollars, and parking lot paving at 75,000 dollars. These are funded from reserves and prior year surplus.
Aquatics staffing sat at roughly 85 percent of 2019 levels, with a shortage of lifeguard supervisors following unforeseen resignations.
{"boxFolder":"","meetingDate":"2026-01-28","body":"# Nelson & District Recreation Commission No. 5\n## Meeting Summary — January 28, 2026\n\nBody: Nelson & District Recreation Commission No. 5 (RDCK)\nService: S226\nMeeting date: January 28, 2026\nSummary prepared: August 27, 2026\nAuthor: Keith Page, Chair\nStatus: Draft for review\n\n---\n\n### Operations\n\nThe Commission received quarterly operations and annual programming reports for the Nelson and District Community Complex. The air handler replacement was finished, including a heat pump head in the fitness centre, though staff were still working with contractors on a building air pressure problem affecting heat and humidity control. The leisure pool was scheduled to close February 17 to 20 for filter valve and pipe work, brought forward from the annual shutdown because of the condition of the valves.\n\nParticipation held up well across the board in 2025. Swim lessons ran 84 percent full on average, the waitlist dropped by 52 percent, and 277 people took lessons who had not in the previous two years. Fitness ran fewer classes with fewer instructors but average attendance rose 18 to 20 percent. Summer camps served 546 children. Total visits to the complex were up by close to 10,000 over 2024. The constraint is not demand. It is staffing and program space.\n\nI was elected Chair of the Commission for 2026.\n\n### Aspirations\n\nThe Commission directed staff to bring back a report on a potential service to fund capital improvements across the Recreation Campus, setting out the process and the impact. That direction came out of the increase identified through the campus engagement consultation, and it is the piece of work that would give the Commission a durable way to pay for major renewal rather than handling each project on its own.\n\nThe Commission also recommended that the Board approve Nelson Search and Rescue installing a storage and training building at North Shore Hall, subject to building permit approval, with staff authorized to open lease amendment discussions. Search and Rescue carries all the costs. The structure gives them on-site gear storage and a rope training surface.\n\n### Civic Arena\n\nThe Civic Arena is City-owned and operated by the RDCK under an operating agreement, so its condition is a standing item for this Commission and a cost question for the City. The 2025/2026 operating season runs from October 14 to March 13. Snow load restrictions remain in place and are communicated to arena user groups through the allocation process. Staff monitor the load through the winter, and this season's accumulation has not yet forced any impact on user groups.\n\nStaff identified two major capital items that fall outside the operating agreement and are therefore the City's responsibility. The Zamboni has reached the end of its useful life, with replacement estimated at roughly 170,000 dollars. The brine lines beneath the sand floor, and the wood sleeper structure they are attached to, are also at the end of their service life. No cost estimate is available for that work yet.\n\n### Challenges\n\nThe 2026 budget carries a heavy capital load. The refrigeration plant replacement at the complex is the largest item at roughly 1.05 million dollars, alongside an arena dehumidifier at 400,000 dollars, major pool work at 200,000 dollars, and parking lot paving at 75,000 dollars. These are funded from reserves and prior year surplus.\n\nAquatics staffing sat at roughly 85 percent of 2019 levels, with a shortage of lifeguard supervisors following unforeseen resignations.","changeLog":[]}