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18
Re-building Brandon’s Riverbank

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Presentation to City Council Dec. 19/2011

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Council Presentation

Re-building Brandon’s Riverbank

Page 2: Council Presentation

• Brandon Riverbank is a not-for-profit, charitable organization, established in 1995

• Governed by a volunteer Board of 8 directors; 4 full-time staff & 3 part-time staff are employed

• Mission is to develop the Assiniboine River Corridor to be a gathering place, connecting people with nature

• Over 5 million invested in River Corridor in 15 years including

• Red Willow Pedestrian Bridge

• Riverbank Discovery Centre

• Eleanor Kidd Gardens

• Power Smart Waterfall of Lights

• Networks of paved, lit pathways

Page 3: Council Presentation

• In 2000, Brandon Riverbank Inc. assumed responsibility for delivery of Tourism Services on behalf of the City of Brandon, and operation of the Riverbank Discovery Centre as a year-round regional visitor information centre

• Over the years, the Discovery Centre has become “event central”, hosting many of the outdoor events that take place in our community

• Volunteers, sponsors and community partners have invested significant time & resources to develop the Riverbank into our community’s gathering place

Page 4: Council Presentation

August 2005

Page 5: Council Presentation

May 2011

Page 6: Council Presentation

• Evacuated from Riverbank Discovery Centre from May 6th to June 1st

• All outdoor events cancelled for 2011. Ability to host 2012 events to be determined

• Canada Day Celebrations hosted at the Keystone Centre

• Spring/summer Interpretive Programs cancelled (2 week Swamp Camp did take place in August)

• Visitors to Riverbank Discovery Centre (Down 55% from 2010)

• Eleanor Kidd Gardens closed for 2011 & 2012 • Work is ongoing to regain meeting room booking

clients • “Discoverer” boat tours discontinued again for

2011

Page 7: Council Presentation

• $18,000 over operating budget for 2011 due to decreased revenue and increased expenses; has been a very frugal year to keep costs down

• 2011 Duck Race revenue was $6,000 below projections

• Ongoing impact for 2012 with lost revenue for Eleanor Kidd Gardens rentals and potentially Discovery Centre grounds/event rentals

• Entire re-development of all Riverbank projects will cost millions & will involve the re-engagement of government, sponsors and members of the community

Page 8: Council Presentation

Completed

• General grounds clean up

• Playground reclamation

• East pond trail re-opened

• Power Smart Waterfall of Lights & skating oval relocated to west end of McGregor Ave

Short-Term

• Have pathways “operational” in as many areas as possible

• Remediation to Discovery Centre crawlspace

• Docks collected & to be refurbished over the winter

Page 9: Council Presentation

Dike Erosion Between River & West Pond

• Stabilization work being done to protect Discovery Centre against high water next Spring

• Working towards leaving dike washout & making changes to pond to accommodate fluctuating water levels

• Considering development of Commemorative Plaza project in this area, making use of the “current-free” inlet

Page 10: Council Presentation
Page 11: Council Presentation

Eleanor Kidd Gardens

• Will remain closed for 2012

• Park & Gardens re-development plan underway to gain access to gardens and incorporate rock weir road into design

• Re-opening of Eleanor Kidd Park & Gardens depends on the completion of dike work and development of road access to the area

Page 12: Council Presentation
Page 13: Council Presentation
Page 14: Council Presentation

Pathways

• As dike construction is completed, work with City Engineering to re-establish pathways and install lights to restore connectivity

• Incorporate dikes into pathway system in various locations

Park Access

• As construction is completed, prioritize park areas and construct road access accordingly, regaining park and greenspaces throughout the River Corridor

Page 15: Council Presentation

• Continue to fulfill all aspects of our 2009-12 Tourism Service Delivery Agreement with the City of Brandon through Brandon Tourism • Attached Statistics Brief outlines 2011 visitor

numbers at the Riverbank Discovery Centre. • Manage human resource component of Brandon

First & participate in all aspects of the organization

• Currently involved in the potential bid for 2017 Canada Summer Games

Page 16: Council Presentation

• 2010 Audited Financial Statements (Included in package)

• 2011 will leave the organization in an operating deficit position for the first time since inception

• Organization has established a sustainable financial model but reserves will be accessed to balance the 2011 operating budget.

• Fundraising initiatives include:

•Private donors - to Metre Donor & Arbour Trail programs

•Memberships to Friends of the Riverbank

•Corporate Donations

•City-Wide Bench Program

•Annual Duck Race

• 2013-16 Tourism Services contract with the City of Brandon to be finalized in 2012

Page 17: Council Presentation

August 2005

Page 18: Council Presentation

Thank you to the City of Brandon for their ongoing support this year. Together with the help of our community, we can re-build

Brandon’s Riverbank to once again be “A gathering place, connecting people with nature”

May 2011