#recreation
🏛️ Your Tax Dollars: What Should Rossland Fund?
Council is reviewing the 2026-2030 budget plan that will shape city services and your property taxes for the next five years. Big decisions ahead on recreation programs, environmental initiatives, communications, and community grants.
📊 Five-year financial plan sets spending priorities through 2030
🏡 Property tax revenue allocation decisions affect all residents
🎯 Staff presented budget preview to guide Council direction
💬 Community feedback will shape final budget decisions
⚖️ Balance between service levels and taxpayer costs
💼 New part-time communications position to improve city information
🎨 Recreation instructor role to expand programming (user-fee funded)
🌱 Additional funding for Spring Clean Up and Fire Smart Bin Programs
🤝 Maintain 5% property tax allocation for community group grants
Council requested a World Cafe style public engagement session on October 27, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Miners Hall. This informal format lets residents discuss budget priorities directly with Council and staff.
Next Steps: Council discusses budget preview at October 20, 2025 meeting. Public engagement session October 27, 6-8 PM at Miners Hall. Final budget decisions coming in future Council meetings. Attend meetings or contact Council with your budget priorities.
When will recreation plans be shared?
🏃♀️ A Rossland resident is asking Council for transparency on when the Recreation Master Plan Implementation Committee will present their progress and recommendations to the public.
🏒 The committee is working on implementing Rossland's recreation master plan
🏊♀️ Their work affects future sports facilities, programs, and recreation services
💰 Implementation decisions will impact recreation budgets and priorities
📅 Residents want to know when they'll see the committee's recommendations
🗣️ Laura Pettit asked the timing question during public input
This was asked at the October 6, 2025 Council meeting. Residents can attend future Council meetings to hear when the Recreation Committee will present, or contact City Hall for updates on the presentation schedule.
Pool in Peril? 🏊♀️
The Rossland Heritage Pool Society stepped up to Council with serious concerns about our community pool's future 💭
Kayle Robson and Sandra Beautain delivered an open letter outlining the challenges facing this beloved facility that serves families, seniors, and swimmers across our community.
🏊♀️ Community advocates voiced specific concerns about pool operations and sustainability
📋 Formal open letter presented to Council detailing current challenges
👥 Rossland Heritage Pool Society representing broader community interests
🏛️ Society emphasizing importance of preserving this community asset
🤝 Society offering to work collaboratively with the City on solutions
💰 Already secured approximately $3,500 in fundraising efforts
🎆 Committed to providing ongoing fundraising support
🛠️ Constructive approach focused on partnership, not just problems
Your Voice Matters on Pool Future 🗣️
This presentation shows how community groups can bring concerns directly to Council and offer solutions.
Interested in supporting the pool?
- Attend future Council meetings
- Support local fundraising efforts
- Share your experiences with Council
Community collaboration helps preserve facilities we value! 🏘️
Nordic Spa Coming to Rossland? 🧖♀️
A business is requesting approval to build a Nordic spa open to the public at 3975 Old Red Mountain Road - complete with saunas, pools, and treatment facilities.
🏛️ Council decides: First & second reading of zoning changes 📅 Your voice matters: Public hearing Oct 20, 2025
This would create 20 jobs but bring more traffic to a residential area.
What's Being Proposed 🏗️
🧖♀️ Multiple saunas and pools for public use
🏢 Check-in building with treatment rooms
🚗 On-site parking for 12 vehicles only
👥 Expected to employ ~20 people
What's Being Proposed 🏗️
🚧 Phased development with infrastructure requirements
🌲 Must preserve large trees and respect stream setbacks
💰 Building permit only after infrastructure servicing plan approved
Community Impact & Safeguards 🏘️
Location: Surrounded by residential neighbourhoods
Environmental: Two streams with protected riparian setbacks - no development in sensitive areas
Traffic: All parking on-site only, no street parking
Benefits: Tax revenue, tourist amenity near Red Resort
Oversight: Health Authority regulates spa safety, City controls permits
Should Council approve expanding commercial uses in this residential area to allow the Nordic spa, given the job creation benefits and infrastructure conditions?
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How to Participate 📅
Next Steps: • Council votes on first & second reading (current meeting) • Public Hearing: October 20, 2025 • Final reading after public input
Your Voice Matters: Attend the public hearing to share your views on this zoning change
Key Condition: Building permit only issued after comprehensive infrastructure servicing plan approval
File No. 3360.20/03-2025
🏊♀️ Pool at Risk: Emergency Decision Needed
🔥 Fire damaged Rossland Outdoor Pool equipment in June 2025
⚠️ Pool operated on backup systems all summer
❌ Without action: Pool could close in 2026
Council must decide whether to spend $31,800 to replace critical boilers or risk losing this community amenity entirely.
🔥 How We Got Here
🏊♀️ Fire in mechanical room destroyed one of two pool boilers
⚡ Pool managed to operate 2025 season on single remaining boiler
⚠️ Operating with one boiler beyond 2025 creates high failure risk
🔥 How We Got Here
🔧 Age of existing systems makes replacing just one boiler very difficult
🛠️ Staff recommend replacing both boilers for operational certainty
💰 The Investment Required
Should Council approve spending $39,300 to replace the pool boilers and ensure the outdoor pool stays open, or are there other infrastructure priorities you'd prefer the City focus on?
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📅 Next Steps & How to Engage
Council Decision Timeline: 📅 This motion comes to Council soon 🕰️ Quote valid for only 15 days due to steel tariff speculation 🏗️ Work must be completed after 2025 pool closure
Your Voice Matters: 🏢 Attend Council meeting to share your views 📧 Contact your councillors directly 📱 Share your thoughts on this spending priority
This decision affects summer 2026 pool operations!
Arena Upgrade: $200K Before Big Games?
🏒 Should Rossland spend $200K to upgrade the Arena Lounge before hosting the BC Winter Games?
With major tournaments coming in 2026, staff want council approval for a complete renovation of the aging facility. The question: Is this the right investment at the right time? 🤔
🏆 BC Winter Games coming February 2026
🏅 Potential Coy Cup hosting March 2026
🔧 Current lounge has outdated finishes, lighting, and flooring
📊 Aligns with city's 2023 Recreation Master Plan priorities
⏰ Tight timeline - needs completion before major events
🍽️ Complete kitchen upgrade: new counters, appliances, plumbing fixtures
💡 Modern LED lighting throughout (2700-3000K, CRI of 90)
🚧 New rubber flooring to match adjacent areas
🏆 Redesigned trophy case with integrated lighting
📺 Projector mount for events and presentations
Do you think upgrading the Arena Lounge should be a priority before the BC Winter Games? Should Rossland focus on this facility improvement or spend the provincial funding elsewhere?
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📅 Council decides at their next meeting
Staff are requesting direction on whether to proceed with this $200K project. If approved, requires competitive bidding process.
🗣️ Your voice matters - Contact council before they vote or attend the public meeting to share your thoughts on arena spending priorities.
Remote Waste Crisis Needs Solution
🏔️ Idabel Lake's waste bins could lose maintenance services
The Regional District faces a choice: approve an 8% rate increase for bin maintenance, or risk having no waste management at this popular recreation site.
The contractor threatens to walk away without the increase.
🛠️ Philip Petit has maintained Idabel Lake's unattended waste bins since 2022
❄️ Services include site monitoring, snow plowing, and waste transportation to Kelowna
🚧 Current 3-year contract expires August 31, 2025
📊 Increased usage at the remote site requires more frequent collection trips
🏔️ Remote location makes finding alternative contractors extremely difficult
🛠️ Why this contractor holds all the cards:
• Insurance nightmare: 4 companies refused coverage for this remote site • RDKB pays $5,000/year insurance + $10,000 deductible risk • No other contractors want this challenging location • Service disruption would impact outdoor recreation
Should the Regional District approve the 8% rate increase to maintain waste services at Idabel Lake, or explore alternatives like seasonal service or user fees?
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📅 RDKB Board Meeting: August 27, 2025
Staff recommends approving the contract extension. The Board will vote on: • 3-year contract with Philip Petit (Sept 2025 - Aug 2028) • New rates with 8% increase • Authorization to sign insurance agreements
🎙️ Attend virtually or in person to share your input