Acting General Manager – Heidi Enns
Divisions:
- Parks & Cemeteries
- Recreation
- Culture
- General Administration
Services
The Parks, Recreation & Culture Department reports to City Council, and the Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission. The Commission consists of six political appointees: three from City Council, and three from School District No. 34 (Abbotsford).
Administration provides booking services for parks, cemeteries, and facilities, including the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium, Civic Plaza, the Community Mobile Stage, sports equipment, parks, and picnic shelters. A comprehensive list of contacts for 250 community clubs and organizations is maintained at the Parks, Recreation & Culture office. The department’s Recreation Service Credit Program is administered through the Administration Division. The program provides low-income individuals and families the opportunity to use the City’s pools and arenas through a “credit” system. Every year individuals/families are registered with approximately $100,000 worth of credits being provided.
Marketing and promotion of the department’s programs and events is coordinated through the Marketing & Special Events Division. The Special Event Coordinator is integral to providing direct and indirect assistance to many special events including BC Lions Fan Fest, Canada Day, Berry Fest, Multi Cultural Festival, fund raising runs, and Remembrance Day. In 2008/2009, the Coordinator will also be organizing events for the 2010 Abbotsford Torch Run celebrations and Abbotsford’s Olympic Live site event.
Parks Services is responsible for the design, development, maintenance, and operation of 189 parks, totalling over 3392 hectares of land. Included within these lands are four civic cemeteries, 68 playgrounds, 17 washroom facilities, 6 facilities at Abbotsford Exhibition Park, 90 km of pathways and trails, 34 ball diamonds, 32 sports fields, 1 synthetic turf field, 21 tennis courts, 2 beach volleyball courts, 1 BMX track, 1 lawn bowling green, 2 skate parks, 1 spray park, 8 basketball courts, 1 running track, and 3 lacrosse/roller hockey boxes. We also maintain numerous planted beds, turf areas and 5545 specimen trees within parks, plazas, gardens and enhanced boulevards and medians to beautify our City in the Country. In addition, staff setup and take down numerous community events throughout the year, and engage volunteers to support these events.
Recreation Services is responsible for all City-owned recreational facilities and activities. The main facilities operated by Recreation Services include:
- Matsqui Recreation Centre swimming pool, weight room, arena, leisure ice, fitness program space, and senior’s space.
- Abbotsford Recreation Centre swimming pool, weight room, arena, fitness program space, two gymnasiums, seniors space, youth drop in centre, program space, and pre-school area.
- Exhibition Park includes a 23,000 square foot recreational facility, meeting rooms, horse arena, agricultural show barn, BMX track, and running track and sports fields.
- MSA Arena, which includes a 900-seat ice arena.
- Program registration may be completed by phone, at the facility or by Direct2Rec internet registration system.
Cultural Services include Arts and Heritage opportunities, which are facilitated in collaboration with many community groups including the Cultural Centre Society, MSA Museum Society, and the Abbotsford Arts Council. Facilities include the newly constructed 20,000 square foot cultural centre called “The Reach” which is operated by a non-profit society appointed by Council, Trethewey Heritage House, Kariton Art Gallery, and the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium (368-seat theatre).