The Service des loisirs, des sports et du développement des communautés announces 65 infrastructure projects for the next 10 years
Sonia Roy
The Plan directeur des infrastructures récréatives, sportives et communautaires (PDIRSC), adopted in 2022, includes seven components among which several investments and specific interventions will be made by 2032. In addition to the general priority interventions, which include investment in Gatineau's west end, investment in interventions adapted to climate change and Gatineau's reality, consolidation of the sports and recreational aspect of the infrastructure and regular maintenance of the equipment, the seven components each cover a specific community sector. There are four funding options for the monetary needs of the PDIRSC, presented to the plenary committee of the City of Gatineau on June 28, based on investments ranging from $100,000,000 to $406,501,148 over a 10-year period. These costs are in addition to the costs of maintaining operations and staffing requirements, which are estimated at approximately $115,230,000. In all, 65 new infrastructure projects, including four major projects totaling $200,000,000, will enhance the region's environment by promoting access to innovative public spaces for all.
Parks and public spaces
The PDIRSC calls for the intervention of crews assigned to the rehabilitation of trails, structures and recreational facilities, an increase in Gatineau's green space (percentage of vegetation cover), the addition of rest areas in parks (directly related to demographic changes resulting from the aging population) as well as the development of observation areas on the region's waterfront.
Community Centers
The focus of the Service des loisirs, des sports et du développement des communautés (SLSDC) for this component is to provide access to community services for all, to upgrade existing community infrastructure, and to create a centralized application and project development process for citizens to use. The SLSDC also plans the addition of three community centers in the west end and four community centers in the east end of Gatineau.
Outdoor sports fields
The interventions in this component are in line with the promotion of physical and sports activities, with an increase in tennis and pickleball courts (Aylmer sector) and the addition of outdoor sports fields. Also, the site of excellence for ball sports in Sanscartier Park will be relocated.
Aquatic Infrastructure
The PDIRSC has identified the construction of an indoor aquatic center as well as the addition of outdoor multi-purpose pools as the main interventions for this component.
Indoor sports facilities
A new sports center of excellence in the west end will be created (and must include at least one 11-player soccer field), in addition to a palestra in the same sector. The SLSDC also plans to address the issues of increasing the number of gymnasiums in Gatineau, as well as the sports needs and interests of citizens (skateboarding, indoor tennis).
Outdoor infrastructure and skating rinks
The urban outdoors development plan (Plan de développement du plein air urbain) will guide interventions in this component, which provides for the development and expansion of outdoor sites and their facilities (accessibility, sustainable development, partnership with the community, etc.).
With regard to outdoor rinks, the addition of shelters and refrigeration systems is being considered to counter the effects of climate change. The addition of outdoor rinks (particularly in the Aylmer sector) will be evaluated based on needs and population growth.
For a complete list of upcoming infrastructures classified by sector, you can consult the Department's presentation via the webcast section of the Ville de Gatineau website, or at the following link: https://villes.pqm.net/gatineau/archive/index.php?id=1845.
Photo caption: Park signs in Gatineau
Photo credit: Sonia Roy