Residents of Castlegar and District will be asked to comment on plans to expand and improve the Castlegar and District Community Complex this spring.

In January of 2016, the RDCK adopted a Recreation & Culture Master Plan for Castlegar and Areas I and J following an extensive community consultation process, a release from the regional district said.

“The community directed that the RDCK should proceed with enhancements and expansion at the Castlegar & District Community Complex. Options were identified in the Master Plan. In June of this year, the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission (CDRC) agreed to a planning process which re-engaged RC Strategies + Perc, the consultants who led the master-planning process,” the release said.

A request for proposals for architectural services was also issued; HCMA Architectural Firm has been hired.

The consultants have met with the CDRC to review the master plan recommendations and to plan community engagement.

“The community will have ample opportunity to provide input into the final project scope and design through an extensive consultation process,” said Castlegar Mayor Lawrence Chernoff, chair of the Castlegar and District Recreation Commission.

Community consultation meetings will be held in two stages in spring 2017. The first stage will be to introduce the project, refine the concept and seek input from organizations and the public.

In the second stage the findings from the initial session will be shared before the final move toward the concept is presented.

This will be followed by another opportunity for input from organizations and the public.