Located on the Saanich Peninsula, Panorama Recreation offers innovative facilities and quality programs and services. The renovated and expanded aquatic complex features the tallest and longest indoor waterslide on southern Vancouver Island. Also noteworthy are the accessibility features of the complex; from fully equipped change rooms to the only accessible waterslide in North America, mobility barriers have been virtually eliminated!
Panorama Recreation also offers two skating arenas, which are home to the Peninsula Panthers and Peninsula Minor Hockey Association. When bare during the summer months, the arenas provide an excellent exhibit space for conventions, trade shows and other major events, including the Matt Underwood Lacrosse Tournament and the Garden City Gymnastics Invitational. Indoor and outdoor tennis courts are popular venues for various Mixed Doubles Tournaments throughout the year, including the ITF Juniors Tennis Tournament and the ITF Women's Tennis Tournament. Two squash courts complete the award-winning Racquet Sports Centre.
Health and fitness goals can be easily realized with the help of the spacious fitness studio, fully equipped weight room and plethora of fitness programs. To accommodate the growing community, Panorama offers a wider variety of general interest programs at several different locations throughout the municipalities of North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney, including Panorama Recreation Centre, Greenglade Community Centre, Central Saanich Cultural Centre, and the North Saanich Middle School. Without a doubt, Panorama Recreation is a great place to live well and have fun!
Authority
At the request of municipal councils (Town of Sidney, The District of North Saanich and the District of Central Saanich) the CRD service was established in 1977 by CRD bylaw 314 The Peninsula Recreation Commission serves over 45,000 residents in addition to over 2,400 residents of the Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum, Tsartlip and Coles Bay First Nations. Funding for the Commission's operations comes from user fees and requisitions from the three municipalities.
Administration
For the operation of this service, the CRD Board has delegated authority to the Peninsula Recreation Commission to represent the local community interests and exercise administrative authority of the variety of facilities that Panorama Recreation is comprised.
Peninsula Recreation Commission (PRC)
Three PRC members are appointed by each of the three municipal Councils to form a Commission of nine with a mandate to provide recreation opportunities in an effective and efficient manner reflecting the needs of the communities. These include:
- Community Recreation services such as swimming, skating, weight training, aerobic fitness classes, and racquet sports.
- By providing drop-in and registration opportunities.
- Public awareness of the importance of being active and exercise.
- Provide rental facilities to individual sport organizations and clubs.
- The development of community by participating in community events and in forums advocating community development.
- Other appropriate duties as assigned by the Peninsula Recreation Commission.
Funding
The PRC approved budget is formalized through an annual CRD tax requisition on behalf of the Saanich Peninsula residents. These municipal partners invest in recreation for the individual and community health, economic impact and employment they provide.