$1.3M in parks and rec capital projects approved
Burnaby Village Museum will be getting $245,000 in improvements as part of $1.3 million approved by council Monday for parks and recreation capital projects.
Three of the 10 projects are at the museum, where facilities are wearing out because of the influx of visitors since the city stopped charging for admission in 2011, said Coun. Colleen Jordan, chair of the city's community heritage commission.
Burnaby Village saw more than 40,000 visitors just over the Christmas season, compared to 8,000 to 10,000 back when admission was charged, Jordan said.
She noted that thanks to the jump in attendance, Burnaby Village Museum was recently ranked No. 6 on a list of the biggest tourist attractions in the province as compiled by Business in Vancouver newspaper.
In that list, the museum is shown as having 278,000 visitors in 2011, compared to 147,000 in 2010.
The museum projects approved include upgrades to heritage buildings ($100,000), interior fitouts ($35,000) and exhibit upgrades ($110,000).
Also approved were replacement of equipment, including pottery wheels, pianos, program tents and storage carts, at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts ($100,000); boardwalk renewal and trail construction and safety upgrades at Deer Lake Park ($125,000); and replacement of the 1988 playground structure at Forest Grove Park, including improvements to accessibility ($175,000).
Spray parks will see improvements and upgrades where they're nearing the end of their useful life, and to meet Fraser Health regulations, with a focus on Suncrest Park ($175,000).
Tennis courts will be resurfaced and fencing will be replaced at Confederation, Westridge and Central parks ($185,000); $256,000 will be spent on mowers, pickup trucks, a small truckster, a food services van and a cargo van; and resurfacing and repairs will be done at sport courts including those at Taylor, Montecito and Stride School parks ($75,000).
wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
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