A number of upgrades have been proposed for, and carried out in Rollo Community Park, Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee (POSAC) members were informed at their Spring meeting at the WI Hall.

Regional Director and committee Chair Howard Houle said a budget of $60,000 has been allocated for improvements to Rollo Park: $50,000 towards a new pond liner and $10,000 for repairs to the clubhouse and pump house. He said while the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) provides the materials to maintain the field at the park, the Softball Association spreads the material and maintains the field, and “did a good job”.

At a previous meeting Houle explained that the funds for the park come out of the RDN’s Capital Regional District Reserve Fund “so it’s from the reserve fund for the whole region, it’s not just being paid for by Gabriolans”. At that meeting he also noted that some repairs have also been made to the park’s irrigation system, and to some damage that had been done by vandals.

Regarding the latter, Houle said someone “tried to remove one of the roof panels to inspect the structural integrity of the building, and so we had to bring someone in to screw that back down”.

Houle also noted in May that responsibility for maintenance of the water systems at both Rollo McClay and Descanso Bay Parks have been transferred to the RDN Regional and Community Utilities.