The City of Winnipeg is currently looking for feedback regarding their draft strategies for Parks and Recreation. (Outdoor components such as athletic fields and sport courts are addressed specifically in the Winnipeg Parks Strategy).
The draft Parks Strategy is meant to present a vision for Winnipeg’s parks that will shape future maintenance and development. We are extremely concerned about how Athletics facilities have been prioritized and we are asking our members to make their voices heard. We need your help to show how important well-maintained Track and Field facilities truly are to the community.
There are two ways you can help!
- Complete the online survey (open until April 23rd, 2021)
- Send your City Councillor a letter and let them know how important Track and Field facilities are.
- We have provided a form letter that you can personalize and send.
- List of City Councillors
City of Winnipeg Draft Parks Strategies
Background
The City of Winnipeg Parks Strategy currently classifies Track and Field facilities as Specialty Amenities (pg. 30). We want to see tracks upgraded from Specialty Amenities to Secondary Amenities.
“Specialty amenities serve very specific functions and user groups. Though several existing specialty amenities are currently provided on City land and managed by the Parks and Open Space division, the City will not prioritize providing land for these in the future.”
Specialty Amenities are at the absolute bottom of the list and specifically indicates that the development of new tracks will not occur, and that even the maintenance of existing facilities will not be a priority.
Classifying Track and Field facilities as “Specialty” along with Speed Skating ovals, Archery ranges, and Ice Climbing towers, also implies that a track is only of interest to a very niche group, and that an extremely high level of technical expertise is required in order to safely use the space.
This is simply untrue and unacceptable.
Currently there are several tracks owned by the City. There are also many provided through schools, or through partnerships with other organizations. This directly meets the definition of Secondary Amenities. As noted above, our goal is to see Tracks moved up to Secondary Amenities, alongside Tennis and Basketball courts, Baseball/Softball diamonds and Outdoor skating rinks.
“These amenities typically have large footprints and high maintenance costs, and often preclude other activities within parks dedicated to their use. Secondary amenities may be provided directly by the City, but may also be provided through schools, or indirectly through a partnership with another organization or provider”
We appreciate any assistance or contribution you are willing to make toward this effort. We truly can not afford to have a 25 year strategy in place that does not prioritize the development and maintenance of Track and Field facilities.
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