Money for both purchases came from the City’s Property Acquisition and Property Sales funds.
The purchase expands Loudon Park from its current 1.72 acres to 2.21 acres and will likely include a rededication of the roadway at the end of Victoria Ave.
Krog said the park has been subject to much debate for the better part of two decades, finally coming to a head this past spring when City Council approved an $11 million upgrade to the park, in the form of a new, large multi-use building and boat storage area for local user groups.
This direction came in opposition to a staff recommendation for a smaller facility at around half the cost.
Community groups took action, staging a rally at the park specifically objecting to the planned removal of nearly 30 mature trees from the park.
Council changed course a few weeks later and ultimately sent the issue back to staff to find a happy medium regarding use of the park from different community groups.
Krog said Wednesday they want the park to work for all user groups, and the wider community, by creating something more than a rundown washroom and storage building from the late 1960s.
“Just imagine you’re a 14-year-old out here training in January, and that’s the facility you get to go and work out in. That’s the facility for the expensive boats, kayaks, etc. Not a very effective, comfortable or appropriate facility for the people who come here or the necessary accoutrements they need in order to maintain their skills, build their skills, build community and enjoy this park.”
The City is scheduled to meet with various user groups on Thursday, Oct. 2, to begin discussing next steps for the park.
Deputy director of parks and natural areas Charlotte Davis told NanaimoNewsNOW feedback from the meeting, along with everything they’ve already heard, will help realize Loudon Park’s potential.
“The next steps are actually to work through a number of options with Council, to decide upon an option that is best for the whole community for this site. We’re looking at things from a land use perspective at the moment and all of the different ways the park can be used and improved.”
She added they’re looking for a final vision which will provide the necessary infrastructure, without impacting the trees already existing in the space.
Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.
info@nanaimonewsnow.com
Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook