The Regional District of Nanaimo has consented to a cessation of parks and recreation commission work in light of the City of Nanaimo’s core services review.
The city is in the midst of a comprehensive service review and the temporary halting of committee work, including that of the city parks and recreation commission, is a part of that. An agreement between the city and regional district is in place, which mandates the commission be comprised of representation from both and that it meets monthly.
The regional district expressed concern to Tracy Samra, interim Nanaimo city manager. She requested the regional district consent to the brief recess at the district board meeting Tuesday, which the board approved.
Samra said Ian Thorpe, city councillor and regional district director, and Richard Harding, city director of parks, recreation and environment, would still be available to discuss any issues arising during that time.
Samra also said the city won’t make any service changes during the review.
“During the time, whether or not the commission met, we’re not changing service levels or staffing levels in the program. I think that’s an important distinction to draw, so that there’s no risk of there being changes in the services provided under this agreement,” Samra said.
Work on the core services review is expected to continue through the end of April and Samra said the hope is to reconvene committees by May.
“I see it as a good thing and it’s an example of working together as a regional district and a city,” said Bill Veenhof, regional district board chairman. “We’ve got common interests and it’s just working through our common interests.”