SEAPARC Recreation Strategic Plan

The Capital Regional District's (CRD) Sooke and Electoral Area Parks and Recreation Commission (SEAPARC) is engaging the community in developing a strategic plan for recreation programs, services and facilities for 2025-2035.

The current SEAPARC Recreation Strategic Plan was developed in 2015 as a 15-year guide for recreation planning and development for Sooke and the JDF Electoral Area. Since the plan was developed, many of the strategic initiatives have been completed, including the fitness/gym expansion, the outdoor sport box and support for an artificial turf field. There has also been significant population growth in both the District of Sooke and the JDF Electoral Area. These factors have led the Commission to proceed with a new strategic plan prior to the scheduled expiry of the current plan in 2030.

A strategic plan serves as the Commission’s framework for making decisions in establishing policy, services, land acquisition, facilities, and partnerships. The updated strategic plan will ensure that SEAPARC:

• Reflects current community needs by gathering feedback from the community, interested and affected parties, Commission members and staff.
• Provides the Commission and staff with goals to direct future planning and expansion. This assists in budget planning and financial allocation as well as staff workplans.
• Aligns Commission, staff and community around shared goals.
• Prepares for future community growth as a well as balancing plans for aging infrastructure.

Development of this strategic plan will consider CRD Board Priorities including climate action and environment, First Nations and governance:

• Climate action & environment: Facility development and/or renewal will incorporate the CRD green building policy to support energy efficient and low carbon building. It will also consider community resiliency related to climate related risks and disasters.
• To support strong relationships built on trust and mutual respect, local First Nations will be invited to provide input into the strategic plan in a way that best fits.
• Governance: To foster greater civic participation there will be many options for the public to provide input. Open houses will be offered on evening and weekend dates, focus groups will have some virtual options and include an alternate option to email input, and staff will go out to engage the youth. Diversity, equity and inclusion will be considered during community engagement, with print options available, multiple contacts for outreach, and alternate options provided in collaboration with local service and advocacy groups. Any potential facility expansion or renewal will include universal design principles.

Here's how you can participate:

Open House @ SEAPARC Recreation Centre

• Saturday, August 10: 1-5pm
• Wednesday, August 21: 5-9pm

Online survey (paper copies available at SEAPARC Recreation Centre)

• July 22 - August 25