Centennial Square

Enhancements along Centennial Street would include widening of the sidewalks in front of businesses to create a comfortable walking path with a treed buffer between the road and pedestrians. This would also provide the potential for sidewalk patios for businesses. This includes narrowing the road and removing parking on the plaza side of the roadway while retaining parking on the other side, beside the businesses. Continuing to have parking is important for business access and convenience. The increased width of the walkway will significantly enhance the experience of pedestrians as they visit local businesses in the area.

This would improve the connection between Aspen Drive and Centennial Square by increasing the pedestrian friendliness of the areas. It would include widening of the sidewalks, adding trees and general enhancements to the pedestrian areas to make it more inviting to walk between these important commercial areas.

The proposed design for Centennial Square, has many features with the goal of making the space a central hub of the community that is used year-round.  The goal of the design is to make an attractive, inviting space for both events and just to visit, relax and enjoy being in Sparwood.  The design keeps the two pine trees which we decorate for Christmas each year, adds in birch trees all of which are housed in raised permanent planters with informal seating.  Movable bistro style tables are placed between the trees.  In the middle of the square is an interactive water feature that sprays water upwards which kids of all ages can enjoy.  A central natural gas fire pit with benches allows residents to visit and stay warm.  The entire square is lit with ambient lighting that will create an inviting space in the evenings.  The Coal Miners Monument has been carefully placed towards the south end of the square.  A tower landmark has been placed at the north east corner of the square which can be seen from Aspen Drive to attract people to Centennial Square.

As part of the Concept Plan there is an option to include a winter skating rink that would encompass the central square area, inside the light grey area as seen on page eight of the Plan.  The skating rink would allow residents to skate in an around the trees and make this space a true year-round destination that would attract residents and visitors. 

Surrounding the square is enhanced sidewalks, the addition of trees and lighting, a basketball court at the west end and an area for a stage.  The entire area can be closed off to traffic for events using removable bollards.  When events are not taking place vehicles will continue to be able to access the area.  Parking spots will continue to be present along the north side of the square.  

We also took an opportunity to develop an enhancement plan for the Municipal Office.  The proposed Concept Plan ensures that the Municipal Office design integrates with Centennial Square while addressing some safety issues with the existing parking area and access design.  The proposal replaces the entrance stairs, orientates the ramp to meet current accessibility standards and is no longer exiting directly onto a road.  Landscaping has also been included to beautify the entire area.

Our next step is to bring this Concept Plan back to the community for feedback.  We want to know if we have it right and that your input from the initial consultation work is represented in the Concept Plan.  It will also be very import for us to gather input on the cost of this project.  Currently the estimates for the project are $1.3 million for the square without an ice rink or $2.8 million with an ice rink.  For the street enhancements we have an early estimate of an additional $1.7 million.  We’ll be presenting this project, in its entirety to the community in early February and we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the revitalization of Centennial Square.   

This phase was supported by the Columbia Basin Trust in the amount of $9,840 through the Trust's Community Outdoor Revitalization grant program.

The District investigated options for redesigning the space to ensure it could be utilized in a way that was best for the community. Input received from residents during the event was summarized and provided to landscape architects who then used the information to create conceptual options that will be released later this summer.

• A drop-in event with a free barbeque was hosted in Centennial Square on August 6 from 3-8 p.m. to gather public input on Centennial Square.
• Input from the event was provided to a landscape architect to create two concept options for an improved Centennial Square.
• The District received a grant of $9840 from the Columbia Basin Trust to support the concept design of this project.
• The concept plan will be presented to the public for further input in February 2020.

The preferred option was presented to Council on December 17, 2019 and staff was directed to apply for the Community Outdoor Revitalization Capital Grant in an amount of $500,000 and obtain additional feedback from the public on the Concept Plan.

Once feedback has been collected from residents on the concept plans the District will finalize the Centennial Square Redevelopment plan.  These plans will be presented to Council for consideration.  Provided the plans are approved and funding is available the District will move into the detailed design phase of the project which can be used to apply for future grants to help fund the project.

To be determined

To be determined

To be determined