Mandate, Facilities & Services
The City of Richmond is committed to being the most livable community in Canada and recognizes that parks and recreation are essential components of the community's livability.
Richmond is fortunate to have a long history of investment in parks and recreation as well as a strong volunteer base to support the programs and services needed in the community.
Richmond's parks and trails, facilities, programs and services are designed and delivered to provide the greatest benefit to the community as a whole as well as to promote personal growth and enhance the quality of life of individual participants. We endeavour to ensure that programs and services are responsive to the diverse and changing needs within the community and work to remove or minimize barriers to access.
The City provides and maintains a number of parks and recreation facilities including Richmond Nature Park, Richmond Pitch & Putt Golf Course, eight Community Centres, four pools and two arenas.
PRCS Volunteer Strategy 2007-2012 Building the Volunteer Spirit
Ipsos Reid 2008 Recreation & Physical Fitness Survey
PRCS Facilities Strategic Plan
Following major investment for both the Richmond Olympic Oval and in meeting community needs for parks, it was recognized that there was a need to examine facility and amenity needs across the entire city.
In early 2007, a PRCS Facility Evaluation Framework and Evaluation Toolkit were developed to provide PRCS with a process to enable staff to consistently examine and prioritize potential investment in PRCS facility and amenity projects. Twenty-one projects were identified and prioritized and then were examined to determine location and synergies (how amenities could be grouped for development) and to outline an appropriate phasing of projects. The resulting PRCS Facilities Strategic Plan, which was endorsed by City Council in June 2007, addresses a long-term PRCS strategy for replacing, retrofitting and upgrading existing buildings and for new facility development.
Recreation and Cultural Services Financial Review
A Recreation and Cultural Services Financial Review was conducted by City staff in collaboration with community partner organizations. In December 2007, Richmond City Council endorsed a series of recommendations that came out of the Financial Review process, which were developed to improve and standardize financial reporting.
The recommendations are outlined in "Financial Review of Recreation and Cultural Services - Analysis of Information, Accounting Policies and Practices".
Community Vision and Values
Developing a common vision and values for all those involved in planning for and/or providing parks, recreation and cultural services in Richmond is important so that all contributors work towards a common goal.
Community values articulate what is important to the community and the important fundamental principles and beliefs.
The vision articulates a common understanding of what the designed future is. This is important for making basic directions, goals and activities.
Community Vision
"Richmond! Striving for a connected, healthy city where we cooperate to create and enjoy a dynamic and sustainable quality of life."
Community Values
Community Engagement
We believe the community has a meaningful role in civic affairs. Through collaborative planning and learning we share responsibility for achieving a common vision.
Volunteerism
We believe that volunteers make a valuable contribution to a healthy community and that volunteerism creates a sense of community ownership and pride, cultivates community leadership and helps build our community capacity.
Diversity
We appreciate and celebrate all forms of our diversity.
Choice
We strive to provide accessible, affordable, equitable opportunities that respond to the diverse needs of the community.
Healthy Lifestyles
We encourage individuals to live an active, healthy lifestyle and together build healthy communities (social, physical and economic).
Safety and Security
We believe that people feel safe and secure through well-planned, strong and connected neighbourhoods and have a sense of caring and belonging.
Environment
We are committed to responsible stewardship of the natural environment including protecting community amenities, cultural heritage and maintaining the urban/rural balance of our island setting.
Sustainability
We believe that integrating the management of environmental, economic, social and cultural elements ensures that all resources of the City are respected, preserved, enjoyed and utilized in a sustainable manner both for current and future generations.
