DocumentsStaff ReportFeb 2, 2026Pages 609–616
Report: West Shore Parks and Recreation Society 2026 Budget
Staff report summarizing the West Shore Parks and Recreation Society (WSPRS) proposed 2026 budget for Council's information.
Key facts
- Agenda item: 9.3
- Pages: 609-616
- Subject: WSPRS 2026 budget
Report: West Shore Parks and Recreation Society 2026 Budget
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Langford, BC V9B 2X8
Staff Report to Council
DATE: Monday, February 2, 2026
DEPARTMENT: Finance
SUBJECT: West Shore Parks and Recreation Society 2026 Budget
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Every year the West Shore Parks and Society (WSPRS) submits their budget and requisition requests to the five participating municipalities: Colwood, Highlands, Langford, Metchosin, and View Royal. On November 13, 2025, the WSPRS Board of Directors moved that the Draft 2026 WSPRS budget be presented to Council Members for approval. Attached is the proposed 2026 WSPRS budget and requisition submitted by the WSPRS Board of Directors. The purpose of this report is to seek a formal resolution from Council, approving the 2026 WSPRS budget.
COMMENTARY
The total municipal requisitions for WSPRS in the attached budget are $6,634,368. This year’s requisition represents a total increase of $349,367 or 5.56% over the approved 2025 budget requisition. Langford’s portion is $3,669,170 (55.31%), representing an increase of $246,446 (7.20%) over the approved 2025 budget. This increase represents an approximate 0.40% increase to municipal property taxes.
As per the WSPRS request attached to this report, the main drivers for the budget increase include the currently approved 3.9% increase for operational expenditures (e.g., increases to utilities), asset management requirements ($60,000 annual reserve contribution), and the Youth Engagement Program ($104,252) which is no longer funded by the Federal government.
Under the terms of the Operating Maintenance and Management Agreement between the owners and WSPRS, the annual budget must be approved unanimously. Failure to approve would mean that the previous year’s budget would carry into the current year.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
As per the West Shore Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agreement, which governs the members’ obligations as participants in the WSPRS, the requisition amounts attributed to each member is proportioned based on their converted assessment values as provided by each member’s Chief Financial Officer on an annual basis.
The total municipal requisitions for WSPRS in the attached budget are $6,634,368, of which Langford’s portion is $3,669,170 (55.31%). This represents an increase of $246,446 (7.20%) over the approved 2025 budget. This increase represents an approximate 0.40% increase to municipal property taxes.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
Each owner municipality’s Council must approve the WSPRS budget and requisition request by February 28th. If any owner does not approve the budget and requisition request in a given year, WSPRS budget reverts to the prior year budget, which may have operational and service level impacts for the Society.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
- 5a – Be at the Table for Strategic Regional Discussions and Decisions.
- 6l – Increased Access to Recreation Infrastructure and Services.
OPTIONS
Option 1
THAT Council approve the 2026 West Shore Parks and Recreation Society budget and requisition request.
OR Option 2
THAT Council defer a decision on the 2026 West Shore Parks and Recreation Society budget to the February 17, 2026, Council meeting, after the initial 2026 budget presentation.
OR Option 3
THAT Council not approve the 2026 West Shore Parks and Recreation Society budget and requisition request and advise WSPRS of the reasons for the rejection.
SUBMITTED BY: Curtis Staniforth, Manager of Budgets and Revenue
Concurrence:
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services
Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development
Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services
Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer
Attachments: 2026 West Shore Parks & Recreation Society (WSPRS) Budget and Requisition
WSPRS 2026 Budget and Requisition Request
MUNICIPAL OWNERS — WSPRS STAFF REPORT
TO: West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Members
FROM: Grant Brown, CAO
DATE: December 3rd, 2025
SUBJECT: 2026 Budget and Requisition Request
RECOMMENDATION
That the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Members review and approve the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society 2026 budget and requisition request as presented.
BACKGROUND
On November 13th, 2025, the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Board of Directors moved
THAT THE WEST SHORE PARKS & RECREATION SOCIETY 2026 – 2030 FINANICAL PLAN AND 2026 REQUISITION REQUEST AS PRESENTED BE FORWARDED TO SOCIETY MEMBERS FOR APPROVAL, INCLUDING FULL FUNDING FOR THE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM.
This package contains the above-noted financial information for the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society. The package has been divided into sections to aid in analysis and includes the following: Five Year Consolidated Financial Plan, Budget Comparison, Capital Summary, 5-Year Capital Plan, Reserve Continuity, Converted Assessments, Impact to Taxation, Requisition Request, Operating Summary and the Fees and Charges updates for 2026.
DISCUSSION
The West Shore Parks & Recreation Society is projecting a $316,733 surplus for the 2025 fiscal year. Operating surpluses contribute to the Society’s general capital reserve, and the 2025 contribution ensures positive capital asset reserve balances throughout the enclosed 5-year financial plan. The major contributors to the positive 2025 financial performance include unbudgeted grant revenue, and savings due to regular staffing vacancies in some departments.
The 2026 West Shore Parks & Recreation Society’s requisition request is for $6,634,368. The proposed requisition increase for operational expenditure is $245,115, representing a 3.9% increase, which aligns with the Society’s 5-year financial plan as was presented the previous year. An additional $104,252, or 1.66%, is allocated to support the Youth Engagement Program. This brings the total requisition increase to $349,367, or 5.56% overall.
The 5.56% requisition increase includes a 2.94% or $185,115 increase to the operating budget, a 0.95% or $60,000 additional annual capital reserve contribution and, 1.66% or $104,252 to fund the previously federal grant-funded Youth Engagement Program. The additional reserve fund contributions progress the Society closer to achieving its goal of obtaining sufficient funds for the maintenance and replacement of existing infrastructure which had a 2024 appraised value of $149,824,900.
The budget for 2026 includes the following considerations:
- Current approved 5-year financial plan includes a 3.9% lift for 2026.
- Current Collective Agreement expires in 2025; negotiations to follow.
- 5 – 10% expected utility rate increases. Energy conservation upgrades have offset much of this.
- Asset management requirements, including the $60,000 annual reserve contribution increase as approved by the members in 2021.
- Youth Engagement Program funding through the federal Building safer Communities Grant ends in 2025.
The proposed 2026 – 2030 Financial Plan includes the following:
- Non-discretionary increase in expenses: $64,670
- July 2025 1% collectively bargained wage increase, affecting wages in 2026 from January through June: $46,970
- Utility rate increases: $17,700
- In preparation for collective agreement negotiations, a wage contingency had been established. The current agreement expires at the end of 2025.
- The addition of a new cleaner position responsible for maintaining cleanliness in the changerooms and bathrooms throughout the day at an annual cost of $76,448.
- Additional scope to the upcoming strategic plan process to align with the West Shore Parks and Recreation Facility Master Plan. The current strategic plan enters its final year in 2026.
- 2nd phase of the surveillance equipment upgrade and expansion.
- With support from the Building Safer Community Federal Grant, WSPRS made significant strides in expanding youth programming and enhancing their accessibility. Initiatives included youth swim sessions, open access to the indoor sports complex and youth room, as well as free pizza and snacks. Following the expiration of the federal grant in 2025, the WSPRS board of directors supported an additional $104,252 for WSPRS to continue delivering the Youth Engagement Program, ensuring a safe and supportive space for youth to connect and participate in recreational activities.
- Increased reserve contributions:
- A continued annual $60,000 increase to the capital reserve transfer as approved by the owners in 2021.
Fees and Charges
Fees and charges increase, effective September 2025.
| Category | Average increase |
|---|---|
| Admissions | 4.20% |
| Indoor facilities | 3.78% |
| Arenas | 4.14% |
| Outdoor facilities | 5.17% |
| Golf | 4.72% |
Capital Plan
The 2026 capital plan includes the following projects and funding sources:
Note: approved projects not completed in 2025 are noted as carried forward for 2026.
Increase and impact to each municipality:
As per Agreement
As per the West Shore Parks, Recreation and Community Services Agreement, which governs the members’ obligations as participants in the WSPRS, the requisition amounts attributed to each member is proportioned based on their converted assessment values as provided by each members’ financial officer on an annual basis.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
The 2026 budget and requisition request of $6,634,368 is an increase of $349,367 or 5.56% over the approved 2025 budget requisition.
Grant Brown, CAO
West Shore Parks & Recreation Society