Vancouver Park Board
News Release
April 11, 2017
At a VancouverPark Board meeting last night, Commissioners approved a new Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) to offer to 20 Community Centre Associations (CCAs).
The
decision caps
off a one-year consultation between the Park Board and the CCAs and
introduces a historic new chapter in their relationship.
“The
CCAs provided valuable feedback throughout this process which has
resulted in a stronger document,” said Park Board Chair
Michael Wiebe. “Approval of this new JOA marks a major step in
rebuilding our long-standing partnership with the CCAs and helps ensure
we continue to deliver the best possible recreation services to
residents.”
The new JOA clarifies the roles and responsibilities of the Park Board, as well as those of the
CCAs. Importantly, it expands access to recreation services and benefits for all residents in all communities across Vancouver.
Key new public benefits envisioned in the new agreement include:
· Popular
OneCard and Flexipass will be accepted city-wide
· Low
income discounts available at all community centres
· Full
access to community centres for all residents - no membership fees required
· New
system-wide recreation programs
CCAs
and the Park Board jointly operate all but three of the Vancouver’s 24
community centres.
The CCAs deliver programs in their
centres that reflect local needs, while the Park Board operates and
maintains the City owned community centre buildings. The Park Board also
runs all pools, rinks and some fitness centres.
CCAs
play an important role in Vancouver’s recreation system. They design
and operate programs in individual community centres
that reflect local needs, foster community engagement and drive
volunteer recruitment. CCAs also deliver special events for communities.
The
story of Vancouver’s community centres began in 1949 when
Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre opened in southwest Vancouver. Since
then, the Park Board and community centre associations have operated
under multiple joint operating agreements. Most of the current
agreements date as far back as 1979. Over the years there
have been many unsuccessful attempts to negotiate updated joint operating agreements with various parties.
The
facilitated consultation launched in April 2016 was distinct from
negotiations of past years in that it was a “one table”
fully inclusive and transparent process model open to all community
centre association boards and directors, with support and participation
from all current Park Board Commissioners. It was an open process with
information shared at key milestones.
Community
centre associations gave a considerable amount of feedback throughout
the lengthy consultation that was incorporated into the JOA.
The signing deadline for CCAs is September 30, 2017 with the new JOA scheduled to take effect January 1, 2018.
Learn more about the new Joint Operating Agreement and consultation here.
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Media contact:
Vancouver Park Board
604-754-8943
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