We gave each council and mayoral candidate a questionnaire asking for their opinions and thoughts on a range of questions. We also instituted a strict word limit, with mayoral candidates given more room. Those who went over were told they would be cut off.
For our election hub, with links to all our other election-related coverage, click here.
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Question What parks, recreation or cultural amenity should receive more city money?
Mayoral candidates
Henry Braun
Our PRC Master Plan and five year financial plan lays out what happens when. If grants become available, items will be moved up.
Trevor Eros
Arts Council
Moe Gill
Park, recreation and cultural amenities are fundamental in bringing our community together. Unfortunately, there is only so much City funds available. It is important that these funds are shared fairly.
Eric Nyvall
Rotary stadium’s 3 supplemental fields should get lights. The quality fields lay largely dormant in the evenings without them.
Gerda Peachey
My Rock and Gem Club was promised a home 10 years ago when the public was asked to approve the grandiose Plan A. Another broken promise.
Nadine Snow
Revenue generated from park and amenity rentals support this. More public awareness of, and ease of access to information about would this, I feel, would be better support at this time… (word limit exceeded)
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Council candidates
Jas Anand
Sports facilities all around town
Bruce Banman
Most of our amenities are aging, so they all need our attention, and prioritized. We need to talk to our Federal government so we receive the same treatment as other regions … (word limit exceeded)
Les Barkman
Delair Park, Little League Park with second Park for Provincial to Canadian Tournaments, and bring a Pacific Coast team similar as Victoria HarbourCats. connect Discovery Trail, put more money in Culture budget.
Sandy Blue
For a city our size Abbotsford has been well-served with Parks & Recreation facilities. We need to focus on building Arts, Culture & Heritage assets including a Black box Theatre
Kelly Chahal
Need for more youth and senior related recreational and cultural resources, as indicated in our plans which we unanimously adopted. Now we need to see them implemented.
Vince Dimanno
We have major shortages in sports fields and swimming pools. Instead of millions on all-weather turf that kids must pay to use, we need volume to serve the growing population.
Brenda Falk
Sports and Culture are incredibly important to youth and adults alike . Needs identified in the masterplans will determine how we develop our amenities. Funding opportunities will determine how.
Aird Flavelle
1. Heritage Abbotsford (Trethewey House) and the Abbotsford Arts Council could do so much more with an extraordinarily small about of additional funding.
2. Parkland acquisitions for OCP’s proposed high-density areas.
Harvey Jongsma
no answer
Dave Loewen
All capital expenditures are already queued within the adopted Master Plans, following significant public input.
Harry Manocha
MRC should get more money because it should be on par with ARC.
Paul Redekopp
Until I look at the books and determine the needs of all amenities I have no answer. However I recognize the need for more sporting amenities and fields.
Josh Reynolds
More investment in staffing for general maintenance and upkeep. City-owned parks, facilities and trails are often dirty, broken, or in disarray. Let’s preserve our investments to ensure their lasting use.
Patricia Ross
Trail development for hiking and mountain biking. It is rapidly growing in popularity (called “the new golf”), is healthy activity and brings infusion of tourism dollars.
Dave Sidhu
Culture. Culture is at the core of a community. Abbotsford’s is a rich and diverse culture, and yet we put very little money towards cultural awareness and preservation.
Ross Siemens
Our Master Plans address this. They were unanimously approved by Council.
Respectful relationships with senior levels of government and the private sector will move projects forward as we grow.
Lawrence Tilley
I am not at yet knowledgeable to be capable of a useful answer.
Dao Tran
Mill lake park