| July 11, 2005
Mixed-use civic centre considered for Centre in the Park
A report presented July 5 at Council confirms how an area within Centre in the Park could accommodate Strathcona County services as well as cultural and community activities. The next step will be to seek public input on the concept.
Council received the report on the "civic component" for information. Any decisions to proceed on the civic centre will occur only after the input has been gathered and the results reviewed by Council. This is expected to take several months.
Over the past few years, separate studies have identified the needs for space for cultural activities, municipal services, and possibly a location for the Strathcona County Library when its current lease for space expires in 2008. The report received yesterday examines how much space is required for each of these purposes, and presents a preliminary concept for how the area could be developed most efficiently.
The area designated for the civic component is located north and west of the current County Hall. The main elements proposed for the civic centre are as follows. - A multi-purpose building that would include some County services, possibly the library, a conference centre and space for public meeting rooms, which would be available to service clubs and community organizations. One possibility would be relocating Council Chambers and some offices to the multi-purpose building. This would in turn allow for more effective space utilization among the departments serving the public from County Hall, and give the community better access to Council and Council Chambers.
- An agora, or enclosed four-season plaza, could be used for a variety of activities that reflect the urban and rural character of Strathcona County. These might include farmers' markets, craft fairs, art exhibitions, performance or sport presentations, and public meetings. This would complement existing facilities in the community, many of which are often used to capacity.
- Parking for 500 vehicles would be provided in a two-level underground parkade to supplement the on-street parking.
- Commercial retail space would offer business opportunities consistent with the public-private approach to Centre in the Park, and if needed in the future, could later be converted to meet civic or community needs. This space would be designed with street-level storefront operations, with a second storey that could house Family and Community Services in offices that are fully accessible.
All components of the civic area are being planned to be environmentally friendly and sustainable in the long term. Proposed features include convenient public transit, centralized heating and cooling, water conservation, waste management, use of recycled and recyclable materials, and locally sourced materials and products.
The concept plan has a preliminary estimated cost of $32.6 million. As part of any implementation strategy, a full business case will be developed including financing options and possible phasing of the work over a number of years subject to Council direction and community input. -30- Contact: Cathy Olesen, Mayor, 464-8000 Note: The Executive Summary of the report, Strathcona County Civic Precinct Functional Program, will be posted within the next week.
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