Belleville, Ontario

BELLEV I LLE , ONTAR IO Belleville recently conducted a Parks and Recreation Masterplan Survey to develop a strategic direction for future outdoor and recreation expansions. The intention of the survey was to inform a long-term plan focused on the wants and needs of residents. “We will start projects in 2021, but we want to have a more coordinated outlook on it,” says Panciuk. “We have a wonderful professional sports team – the Belleville Senators – that’s the American Hockey League team for the Ottawa Senators. We are one of only four professional hockey teams in all of Ontario. And that’s terrific. The Quinte Skyhawks, our high school football program, now has expanded into the Canadian Junior Football League. In addition to those types of great programs, we’ve been well known for our soccer fields, for rugby, and for other competitive teams. This survey will allow us to look at what we’re missing.” He adds that some of the focus is on a health facility for seniors with activities that would appeal to that demographic, such as tennis and pickleball. The City has also added brand new lawn bowling greens Active transportation is encouraged throughout the city, with a variety of paths and trails for walking and biking. There are plans to expand this transportation system in alignment with the province’s expansion of the Belleville corridor of Highway 401, a major Ontario freeway. Mayor Panciuk shares, “The province is going to be widening the 401 through the Belleville corridor from the current four lanes to six lanes. As a requirement of that, they have to build bridges first and make them wider. When they do that, we’ll have the ability to get people across the 401. Right now, there are no