The Water Valley Community Association (WVCA) has developed a five-year plan outlining proposed facility upgrades in the community, with officials outlining the plan for Mountain View County's policies and priorities committee on April 2.
The plan was developed following a Jan. 27 special meeting, where a committee of community and association members was formed.
The committee's mission statement is to “determine community requirements for additional and enhanced facilities that will support our vision for the community,” committee member and facilitator Harold Baxandall told the policies and priorities committee, which is made up of sitting MVC councillors.
The Water Valley committee's vision statement includes: “We accommodate growth and change while maintaining strong linkages with our past. Important historic landmarks are preserved, and new development occurs in a manner that is compatible with and respectful of its historic context.”
The committee conducted a community survey to identify community views and gather input. That survey was completed on March 5 and the five-year plan then put together.
The plan sets out proposed activities and projects for 2014 to 2018. It includes a proposal to renovate or replace the existing community hall.
The 2014 portion of the plan includes “acquiring 40 acres within one kilometre of the 4-Way stop in Water Valley to accommodate initial plan, complete site layout design of existing and new property, complete site preparation for new ball diamonds and parking areas, finalize plan to upgrade/replace community hall, build permanent pad for skating rink.”
The 2015 plan includes “complete build of two new ball diamonds, fencing and bleachers, start renovation/build of community hall, build new Boots and Saddle arena with bleachers.”
The 2016 plan includes “build pathway along north side of Highway 579 between subdivisions and 4-Way stop, start building hiking/skiing/snowshoe trails.”
The 2017 plan includes “build pathway along east side of Rge. Rd. 52 north of 4-Way stop. Complete trail system.”
The 2018 plan includes “build soccer field with bleachers, develop next five-year plan including additional facilities.”
The WVCA would like to work with Mountain View County to move forward with the plan's proposals, said Baxandall.
That cooperation could include the county “acquiring the 40 acres of property, developing site layout design of existing and new property with input from WVCA, complete site preparations for new ball diamonds and parking area, and gravel for new parking lot.”
At the conclusion of Baxandall's presentation, the policies and priorities committee instructed administration to set up a followup meeting between WVCA representatives, county councillors and county staff to examine the five-year plan further.
More than a dozen Water Valley residents attended the April 2 policies and priorities committee meeting.
“It's really exciting to see the community come forward,” said Reeve Bruce Beattie.
"It's really exciting to see the community come forward"MVC Reeve Bruce Beattie.
