Loudon Park Improvements

News Release from October 1, 2025 - "City Purchases Land to Expand Loudon Park"

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PROJECT OVERVIEW & BACKGROUND

Loudon Park improvements have been the focus of extensive community discussions for over 25 years. Following Council’s adoption of the Loudon Park Improvement Plan in 2007 (updated in 2010), the first phase of park improvements was completed in May 2012. This included improving parking and circulation, an accessible fishing dock, temporary fenced boat storage, and improved trail surfacing in key areas to improve access for mobility devices.

A second phase of park improvements is intended to address building related park improvements. More recently, in 2019, Council approved a multi-use Activity Centre intended to replace outdated public washrooms and meet city-wide demand for amenities to support flatwater (non-motorized paddling) recreation and training. This advanced to detailed design with a building permit received in 2023. However, project progress was delayed by escalating costs related to supply chain and human resource challenges initially associated with the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

Staff returned with further options for Council to consider in 2024 and 2025 with Council making a series of decisions and deliberations on how to proceed with the project. This included considering concerns raised regarding preserving established fir trees. On 2025-MAR-19, Staff provided the Finance and Audit Committee with an alternate more modest option to address concerns about tree retention, reduce projected costs while meeting baseline needs for upgraded public washrooms and city-wide flatwater amenities.

On 2025- APR-07, Council approved an ~$11 M budget for park improvements for the original building that included community space. However, this budget allocation and direction was rescinded and after further deliberations Council provided Staff with the following motion at the 2025-MAY-26 regular Council meeting:

“it was moved and seconded that Loudon Park Development be referred back to Staff in order to provide a range of options for the Loudon Park Development.”

At their 2025-JUL-25 In Camera Council meeting, Council approved the acquisition of two properties adjacent to Loudon Park (4288 Victoria Avenue and 4246 Victoria Avenue). The City took ownership of these two properties in August and September 2025, publicly announcing the acquisition on 2025-OCT-01.

With the addition of these properties, together with access to previously encroached City-owned waterfront and use of road frontage, the park area has been expanded by approximately 29% from the original 6,958 m2 (1.72 acres) to 8,979 m2 (2.2 acres). The expanded park footprint now allows for new siting options for an amenity building(s) for community and user groups while addressing a range of other park values.

Following the land acquisition, a consultant team was engaged to help Staff respond to Council’s direction

“to provide a range of options for the Loudon Park Development” based on:

• The expanded park footprint and associated opportunities and constraints
• An updated arboricultural assessment
• Review of extensive community, neighbourhood association, and user group feedback over many years
• Renewed engagement with user groups, the neighbourhood associations, and other interest groups
• Costing and design feasibility

On 2025-OCT-02, Staff and consultants invited Council’s recognized local neighbourhood association (Wellington Action Committee), key flatwater park user groups (Nanaimo Canoe and Kayak Club, Nanaimo Rowing Club and Long Lake Flatwater Training Centre Society), and a newer interest group (Friends of Loudon Park) to a meeting to share information on the land acquisitions and review preliminary ideas for siting options of different park uses for the expanded park area.

During the month of October 2025, Staff and consultants also coordinated several separate focused engagement sessions with the groups invited to the meeting on 2025-OCT-02. The sessions were used to re-confirm prior feedback and confirm absolute needs for different building amenities and open space park areas. This focused engagement was intended to advance the development of options for Council to consider as part of this Staff report, however, it was not intended to replace broader engagement with the wider community should Council provide further direction and advance a preferred option.

The Preliminary Options Comparison Report responds to Council’s request to develop additional options to improve Loudon Park. The Report is informed by the 2010 Loudon Park Improvement Plan, extensive community engagement over the past two decades, updated arboricultural information, the expanded footprint of the Park following land acquisition, and the latest additional neighbourhood association and user group engagement.

CONCEPTUAL PARK LAYOUT:

An updated conceptual park layout map has been developed to meet a range of community interests for the expanded park area. This layout considers improved accessibility, flow, and siting of built community park uses alongside preservation of established fir trees, retention of other natural areas, and connectivity to the surrounding neighbourhood.

OPTIONS OVERVIEW

Following the land acquisition, a consultant team was engaged to help Staff respond to Council’s direction to provide a range of options for the Loudon Park Development based on:

• The expanded park footprint and associated opportunities and constraints
• An updated arboricultural assessment
• Review of extensive community, neighbourhood association, and user group feedback over many years
• Renewed engagement with user groups, the neighbourhood associations, and other interest groups
• Costing and design feasibility

The table below provides a summary comparison of key features of each Option.