Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), in partnership with the City of Nelson have completed a multi-phase public engagement process to gather community perspectives on the future of the Community Recreation Campus. While the process confirmed the campus’s central role in indoor recreation for residents of Nelson, Electoral Area F, and a Defined Portion of Electoral Area E, no single clear direction emerged for its future development.
Over 2,000 residents participated in surveys, open houses, and public feedback sessions between October 2024 and April 2025. While residents consistently expressed strong support for indoor recreation and a desire for facility improvements, views varied significantly on how best to achieve this outcome. Many indicated a willingness to contribute $25–$100 annually toward improvements, though this level of funding may not fully align with the actual costs required to maintain existing facilities and exploring new development.
“People across the Greater Nelson area have made it clear how much the Nelson Community Recreation Campus means to them,” said Keith Page, Chair of the Nelson & District Recreation Commission No. 5. “We’ve heard bold ideas and strong opinions from many user groups, each bringing their passion and vision for these shared spaces. While there’s still debate on what changes are needed, the ongoing dialogue is helping clarify priorities. With limited resources, it’s vital that the RDCK, the City of Nelson, and the public keep working together toward a shared plan for the campus.”
Phase 3 Report Released
In March, a follow-up five-question survey was released to gather additional input and clarify findings from the Phase 2 survey. It asked for feedback on the Phase 2 results and helped identify residents’ priorities for future investment, maintenance, and development at the Community Recreation Campus.
Key findings from the phase 3 report include:
- 500 residents completed the Phase 3 survey.
- On average, 42% supported developing new facilities and maintaining existing facilities, 21% preferred enhancing facilities while also maintaining, 17% supported repurposing spaces in our existing facilities while maintaining, and 17% favoured maintaining-only.
- Respondents expressed strong interest in improved fitness space, multipurpose rooms, and courts for activities like volleyball, basketball, and pickleball.
Project Summary and Next Steps
The findings from the overall engagement, including information gathered from all three phases, underscore the need for further work to be done by the RDCK and City of Nelson before making major decisions about the future of the Campus. Based on the engagement, the RDCK will work with the City of Nelson to focus on the following next steps:
- Assess the capacity of existing spaces to determine current limitations and potential.
- Analyze how recreation spaces are being used to identify whether they are fully and effectively utilized.
- Evaluate current allocation practices to ensure they support broad community access.
- Monitor participation trends to determine how recreation interests are shifting.
- Review public spaces to ensure they can support a diverse range of indoor activities.
- Identify other community spaces that could complement the Campus in delivering recreation services.
- Align facility use with guiding principles from the Nelson & District Parks & Recreation Master Plan.
“This has been a critical step in understanding what the community values most and is a key step to help us move forward,” said Page. “We now have a foundation to guide further research and collaboration as we work toward a long-term vison for the Community Recreation Campus.”
The full Phase 3 report and Project Summary can be found at engage.rdck.ca.