A row of mature trees along Granville Avenue may need to be removed if the city were to accommodate street parking for the planned Minoru Aquatics Centre and Older Adults Centre replacement facilities, according to a staff report to a city council committee Tuesday.
"While the on-street parking would provide the benefit of buffering between the pedestrians and moving traffic, many existing trees in the north boulevard would need to be removed," states a consultants' report to the city on how to accommodate parking demand for the new pool and centre.
At issue is how the area can increase its current supply of 758 parking stalls to 825-860.
How parking will be addressed is part of the Minoru Complex Public Realm Concept Design, which has undergone public consultation.
According to the report from parks manager Mike Redpath, 33 people gave feedback online at LetsTalkRichmond.ca.
To accommodate parking on Granville the bike lane would need to move above the curb, which would push the pedestrian sidewalk into the existing tree line.
The report indicates there may be the potential to look at alternative locations for the bike lanes in order to "minimize impacts to existing trees."
The city has a policy to replace any trees it cuts down with a three to one ratio in new landscaping.
The report outlines some of the other highlights of the outdoor realm, such as how several plazas and entrances lined with new trees will accommodate the flow of pedestrians through the park.
A plaza with a small amphitheatre is one of those highlights.
Also, there will be an upper terrace overlooking the track field.
A realignment of Moffatt Road to connect to the park's entrance was not favoured due to technical reasons.
The $80 million facility will be built on the site of an old artificial soccer field, between the No. 1 fire hall and the track field.
There are no plans as to what to do with the old facilities to the east, although extra parking was suggested by the consultant.
The new pool and seniors' centre is scheduled to open in summer 2017.
The city is targeting LEED Gold standards.
To learn more about the project from the City of Richmond, click here.
