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Report No. PRC 48-2012 October 22, 2012 File No: 7900-30 & 6140-20

To: Mayor and Council

COUNCIL REPORT

Executive Committee

From: Mark Taylor, General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture Rick Daykin, Director, Park Services

Subject: Albert Dyck Memorial Park Cable Wakeboard Proposal

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. THAT Report No. PRC 48-2012, dated October 22,2012, from the Director, Park Services; and the General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture, regarding the Albert Dyck Memorial Park Cable Wakeboard Proposal, be received;

2. THAT Council approve a five year renewable license with Stu McKeown, which includes the installation, operation and maintenance of a cable wakeboard park for Albert Dyck Memorial Park; and

3. THAT the Mayor and Corporate Officer be authorized to execute all documents relating to this matter.

BACKGROUND

At the Regular Council Meeting, held on April 30, 2012, Council approved staff to continue the process of investigating the feasibility of the private sector operating a cable wake board park at Albert Dyck Memorial Park. The Fraser Valley Water Ski Club (FVWSC) confirmed at the Council meeting that they are willing to work cooperatively with the successful proponent to make this lake available for all disciplines of towed water sports.

ANALYSIS

A public open house was held on June 25, 2012 at the MCA Foyer. Ten people attended the open house and there were no objections received on this cable wakeboard park proposal for Albert Dyck Memorial Park.

An RFP for the development and operation of a cable wake board park at Albert Dyck Memorial Park closed on August 9, 2012, with one proponent providing a proposal. The proposal is available to Councillors upon request to staff.

The Fraser Valley Water Ski Club (FVWSC) has been the primary organizing group for water ski activities at the park and has held a lease for a number of years. The FVWSC has agreed to allow the proponent, Mr. Stu McKeown, to share its clubhouse and to utilize it as a rental shop for the cable park operation.

Report No. PRe 48-2012 Page 2 of 3

FVWSC agrees that the southern cable system can be operated by the proponent from dawn until dusk daily and that the northern cable system can operate as follows:

Monday: 3 pm-dusk Tuesday: 8 pm-dusk Wednesday: 3 pm-dusk Thursday: 8 pm- dusk Friday: 3 pm - dusk Saturday: 3 pm- dusk Sunday: 3 pm - dusk

The proponent has agreed to provide, maintain and operate: ~ two separate cable tower systems with support cables and tower anchors; ~ starting docks; ~ a waiting area with a facilities shed; ~ landscape improvements; ~ two porta pottys and a hand wash station; ~ a portable storage container for their equipment; ~ a five foot wide water break made from tires; ~ etiquette, safety and directional signage.

The proponent has agreed to: ~ provide 50 additional paved parking stalls. This will make the total paved parking

110 stalls; ~ offer other water sport rental services such as kayaks, canoes and paddle

boards; ~ provide a $25,000 remediation bond; ~ provide engineered stamped drawings for building permit requirements; ~ profit share five percent of revenue with the City during the initial five year license

with a projection of $6,216 per year for the City.

The concept of a cable towing water skiers and wake boarders across a lake is not a new one. There are at least 400 operations throughout the world and two in Canada. Most of these operations are quite successful. The use of electricity to power the towing of skiers versus the use of gas and oil to operate a motorboat in itself is a compelling reason to consider this project. Walmsley Lake is connected to an aquifer which is a drinking water source. Albert Oyck Memorial Park has been utilized as a water ski venue since 1994 and it is considered to be one of the best water ski venues in Canada. Staff is very supportive of this proposal and is hopeful that the business will thrive. This proposal will certainly increase the use of the park and will grow the wake board sport in Abbotsford. The community has been apprised of this proposal and the social media sites have been very active with positive discussions about this proposed project. It is proposed that after the five year lease is complete and capital works are paid for by the proponent, a renewal license should include a 50/50 split on the net profit realized by the proponent to the City.

FINANCIAL PLAN IMPLICATION

There will be no financial obligations to the City for this agreement. The proponent projects that the City will receive $6,216 per year from this operation.

Report No. PRe 48-2012 Page 3 of 3

COMMUNICATION PLAN

A public open house was held on June 25, 2012 at the MCA Foyer. Ten people attended the open house and all were in favour of the concept of developing and operating a cable wakeboard park at Albert Oyck Memorial Park. If Council approves the agreement between Mr. Stu McKeown and the City, there will be a number of communication items created such as brochures, flyers, program guide information, website, social media, and advertisements to help promote the sport.

SUMMARY

The proposal to develop a cable wakeboard park at Albert Dyck Memorial Park has many merits. Staff is seeking endorsement of the licence agreement between the City and Stu McKeown for this business proposal.

Rick Daykin Director, Park Servi

L-Mark Taylor General Manager, Parks, Recreation & Culture