OLDS — A consultant has outlined top priorities to address perceived gaps in sports, recreation and cultural opportunities in Olds.
In a report presented to town council on Nov. 22, Justin Rousseau, managing director of Expedition Management Consulting Ltd., listed 10 priorities that could be addressed.
Number one was creation of a regional multi-purpose leisure centre (MPLC), although he said such a facility could be built in Olds or elsewhere in Mountain View County or neighbouring municipalities.
It would accommodate a variety of perceived recreational and cultural gaps, including a field house, more courts for a variety of sports, more ice sheets, a gymnastics facility, indoor playground and indoor track, and a climbing wall.
Other suggestions include public art in the facility and outdoor sports fields adjacent to it.
However, no projected cost or timeline for construction of the facility was provided.
Rousseau said at least one other report would be needed to delve more deeply into those questions, including location for such a facility.
The second priority was studying the feasibility of relocating the Olds Regional Exhibition.
"Certainly the lands there, they are in close proximity to recreation assets, so just exploring whether there’s an opportunity to have some of those lands for recreation used in the future,” Rousseau said.
The third priority was developing a gymnastics facility.
Rousseau said that call came up “early and often.”
“There is a very strong user base – not (only) in Olds, but also throughout the region. And that one was certainly identified as a gap in the community,” he said.
The fourth priority was improving accessibility at the Sportsplex
Expanding the local trail system was the fifth priority.
“Trails (were) identified as the number 1 outdoor asset (in Olds),” Rousseau said.
Continued investment and enhancement of public parks was the sixth priority.
Rousseau said Olds’ current park system is “certainly a strength, but (there’s) an opportunity to continue on with that strength.”
The seventh priority was to create new tennis and pickleball courts on town-owned land.
The eighth priority was continuing to invest in and provide outdoor skating rinks.
Rousseau said that development was “quite successful for you last season.”
The ninth priority was to enhance the dog park.
The 10th and final priority was to position the town as a place to hold regional events.
