“The heart and soul of the community” is the description used by the BC Recreation and Parks Association in awarding the Facility Excellence Award to Creston and District Community Complex.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay, which operates the facility, should be congratulated for efforts that “exemplify how much the parks, recreation, physical activity and culture section can contribute to a high quality of life in our communities,” it said.
“This facility and its operations represent the commitment by our taxpayers to have a first-class long-term facility for all ages throughout our valley,” said John Kettle, RDCK chair and Area B director. “This recreation and fitness complex is second to none in the Kootenays and I want to congratulate our staff and operations folks for their efforts resulting in this award.”
That sentiment was echoed by Larry Binks, Area C director and Creston Valley services committee chair.
“The success of the recreation centre is largely due to staff,” he said. “Patrons enter and are immediately welcomed by a friendly face.”
Binks pointed out that the complex — which previously won an award from Fortis BC — has also become an attractive venue for events such as the recent Association of Kootenay and Boundary Local Governments conference, the upcoming Cattlemen’s Association of BC meeting and numerous hockey tournaments.
Creston Mayor Ron Toyota, who was a citizen member of the community complex design team, said the award is gratifying because it acknowledges the efforts of many, starting with a huge push to get out the yes vote in a borrowing referendum.
“And our design team — staff and citizens — worked together with the architect and other professionals to come up with a plan that brought our recreation facility to a whole new level, one that we really couldn’t have envisioned when we started out,” said Toyota.
“I think that one meeting in particular led to a shift in thinking that really brought us to where we are today. As I recall, it was Stu Durning, our maintenance foreman, who suggested we construct the aquatic centre on the west side of the existing facility. We had been working with the idea of putting it on the south side, where the old outdoor pool was. That change, and the creation of the common entrance that provides access to all facilities, was key. The results speak for themselves — just look at the parking lot at any time of day, seven days a week. The complex is always busy.”
“We are very pleased at being recognized provincially for the outstanding and special facility that the RDCK has developed here in Creston,” said Randy Fediuk, recreation manager at the complex. “The award is a huge bouquet to all of the people that have been involved in the development and success of the CDCC.”
The complex received over 160,000 visits last year, a testament to the vital role the facility plays in the community.