One-year trial: pause on RDOS-managed recreation in Electoral Area "F"
- Riley Gettens
- Mar 29
- 5 min read
Hi all,
I’ve had a few emails on the Area “F” recreation pause, so here is a link to the original post from February 18, 2025, and a more robust update below.
One-year trial: pause on RDOS-managed recreation in Electoral Area "F"
Starting in 2025, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) will launch a one-year pilot project that temporarily suspends the recreation budget for Area "F," which is funded by taxes from Area "F" residents. Area "F" residents will not be taxed to support RDOS coordination of recreation services in Electoral Area "F."
Recreation is essential to all communities in Area "F" and the Regional District. Although RDOS staff will not coordinate or manage programs or events during the pilot, all Area "F" parks and public spaces remain accessible for residents and community groups to organize activities, classes, and events.
Not-for-profit organizations interested in hosting events, fundraisers, or community gatherings can request support through the Area “F” Rural Projects funding or the Electoral Area Community Grant-in-Aid program. Please visit the RDOS website to review the grant guidelines.
More context:
For the past few years, Area “F” citizens have contributed taxes to a part-time Recreation Coordinator year-round, usually for one or two days a week, and also contributed to the RDOS Community Services/Recreation Manager (or Director) role.
The recreation coordinator position is typically shared with other areas, such as Naramata and Kaleden. Likely due to the part-time hours, the recreation coordinator role has experienced significant turnover. West Bench Elementary School serves as an outstanding community partner for the residents of Greater West Bench. However, planning and promoting recreation for all of Area “F” presents challenges without a full-time recreation coordinator or dedicated year-round community spaces.
While I recognize the success of some recreation initiatives, Area “F” recreation classes have also been cancelled due to low registration, and community-wide events have been missed because residents only learned about them after the fact. Again, promoting and offering year-round recreation services without sufficient staffing or dedicated community spaces poses significant challenges.
An unexpected opportunity arose to pause the re-hiring of a part-time recreation coordinator and trial a year without RDOS-coordinated recreation in Area “F”. If there is strong interest in reinstating RDOS-organized recreation in 2026 after the pilot, then some decisions will need to be made.
Area “F” is a larger electoral area with several distinct communities (North Beach, Faulder, Meadow Valley, Red Wing, and Greater West Bench), all of which contribute to Area “F” recreation.
If all Area “F” communities agree to prioritize recreation, increase taxes to fund adequate staff, and invest in the infrastructure to develop a robust Area F recreation program, we can do that.
Should only Greater West Bench choose to prioritize recreation, a new Greater West Bench service area (service areas are required to collect taxes for RDOS services) could be created specifically for Greater West Bench recreation. This approach would release Area "F" communities outside Greater West Bench from the tax burden.
If Area "F" communities want to return to what we've had for the past few years (part-time RDOS coordination), we can do that.
What is happening in Area F parks?
Mariposa Parks’ infrastructure and park upgrades are in progress. The park is now wheelchair accessible, the irrigation system has been improved, and several dozen invasive trees have been removed and will be replaced with native, drought-resistant species.
Invasive tree management continues on RDOS-owned land in Area “F“. This initiative has evolved into a tri-partnership involving PIB, MoTT, and the RDOS, fostering and strengthening relationships for future work.
Selby Park continues to serve as a model for other regional parks. The design of the bathrooms and playground structures is exceptional, prompting other electoral areas to follow suit. Additionally, several invasive trees have been removed.
Required fencing repairs and necessary replacements at Butler Arena will begin this year.
RDOS is awaiting a provincial partnership agreement that will enable the creation of a pocket park/play space should Faulder/Meadow Valley residents be in favour.
The PAT (RDOS Physician Activity Trailer) will be available at West Bench Elementary School for the Family Day picnic. This RDOS recreation service will be funded through Area "F" Rural Projects.
Finally, when our kids were young, the Greater West Bench Easter egg hunt was the most memorable event for us. Around 20 years ago, a local parent led the initiative and, with the support of parents in the community, organized the event. Each family contributed plastic eggs filled with treats and a dish or two for the community potluck. It was a fantastic grassroots event. Events like the egg hunt are still possible during the pilot but need to be community-led, or, as stated above and again below, a non-profit could take it on and possibly be supported by an Area "F" Community Grant-in-Aid or through Area "F" rural projects budget..
Not-for-profit organizations interested in hosting events, fundraisers, or community gatherings can request support through the Area “F” Rural Projects funding or the Electoral Area Community Grant-in-Aid program. Please visit the RDOS website to review the grant guidelines.
Review of 2024 Area "F" Recreation Classes
JAN – MAR 2024
Adult - Forever Fit -18 people
Adult - Hatha Yoga - 6 people
APR-JUN
Adult – Hatha Yoga – 8 people
Adult - Mariposa HIIT – CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION
Older Adult – Forever Fit 1- 7 people
Older Adult – Forever Fit 2 – 9 people
JULY-AUG
Children – Beat the Heat Event – No registration required
Adult – Sunset Vinyasa Flow – CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION
Adult – Barre Fusion – No registration data (May have been cancelled)
SEPT – DEC
Adult – Chair Yoga – CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION
Adult – Barre Fusion – CANCELLED DUE TO LOW REGISTRATION
Adult – Hatha Yoga – 5 registrants
Review of 2024 Area "F" Community Events
Event name: Valentine's Day (regional colouring event, not an in-person event)
Date of event: February 1st 2024
Max number of attendees: - Did not capture, and staff no longer present
Registered attendees: Emailed in for entry
Note: Regional colouring event
Event name: Family day
Date of event: February 19th
Max number of attendees: 50 people
Registered attendees: No registration required
Note: Grant supported
Event name: Easter
Date of event: March 29th
Max number of attendees: 90 + ppl
Registered attendees: Not required
Event name: Amazing Race
Date of event: August 19th
Max number of attendees: 5 teams, equaling 20 people
Registered attendees: 20 people
PAT trailer events
Event name: Selby PAT
Date of event: July 15th
Max number of attendees: 25+
Registered attendees: Not required
Event name: Selby PAT
Date of event: August 15th
Max number of attendees: 25+
Registered attendees: Not required
Event name: Faulder PAT
Date of event: June 8th
Max number of attendees: 0 I believe (this was not tracked)
Registered attendees: Not required
Thank you for reading.
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Riley
250-488-0245
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