CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. —The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) has announced the official opening of a permanent, fully accessible washroom facility at Hagel Park, a significant addition to one of Area D’s most popular recreational spaces.
The SRD said the new facility responds to community demand and reflects both the park’s growing popularity and the district’s broader efforts to expand public amenities.
“Hagel Park has developed into Area D’s most popular public park for recreation and leisure, providing a relaxing rural park environment that is a well-loved destination for residents and visitors alike,” the regional government stated in its announcement.
Meeting Community Needs
The decision to install the washroom was guided by feedback received during consultations for the park’s recent playground replacement. Residents and visitors had consistently identified a lack of permanent facilities as a barrier to accessibility, particularly for families, seniors, and those with mobility challenges.
The SRD incorporated the project into its 2025–2029 Financial Plan, allocating funding to ensure the structure met modern accessibility standards. Officials said the facility is designed to support both everyday park use and larger community gatherings.
“With recent amenity upgrades within Hagel Park and an increasingly active user group, the popularity of Hagel Park continues to grow. This new washroom facility was identified as a need by the public during community consultations for the playground replacement and funded through the SRD’s 2025-2029 Financial Plan,” the SRD said.
Broader Strategy for Local Parks
Hagel Park’s ongoing upgrades are part of a wider initiative by the Strathcona Regional District to strengthen community infrastructure in rural areas. Parks in smaller communities often serve as central gathering points, and SRD officials have made recreational development a priority in recent years.
The investment reflects broader trends in municipal planning, where accessible infrastructure is increasingly viewed as a driver of both community health and local economic vitality. Well-equipped parks can encourage tourism, increase property values, and support small businesses that benefit from steady visitor traffic.
In Campbell River and surrounding rural districts, these projects also have a direct impact on quality of life. Community leaders say the goal is to balance recreational development with environmental stewardship while meeting the needs of a growing and diverse population.
Opening Celebration
To mark the launch of the new facility, the SRD is hosting a Grand Opening event on Friday, September 19 at 3:00 p.m. at Hagel Park. The event will include refreshments and is open to the public.
Local residents are encouraged to attend, both to see the new facility firsthand and to celebrate the continued development of the park.
Community Impact and Future Outlook
The addition of the washroom may seem modest in scale, but it represents a meaningful improvement in accessibility and comfort for park visitors. For families with young children, individuals with disabilities, and seniors, such facilities are not a convenience but a necessity.
Business leaders in the region often note that infrastructure improvements, even at the neighbourhood level, can ripple outward. Parks that are better equipped tend to attract more visitors, increase event hosting opportunities, and provide venues for local organizations to run programming. This can generate both social and economic benefits over the long term.
As the Strathcona Regional District continues to roll out projects outlined in its multi-year financial plan, residents can expect further upgrades across parks and recreational sites. Each project, district officials emphasize, is shaped by community input and tied to broader strategic goals of accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability.
For now, the opening of the Hagel Park washroom stands as a visible sign of progress — and a practical amenity likely to be welcomed by everyone who makes use of the rural park.
The SRD concluded its announcement with an invitation: “Come join us at Hagel Park for a Grand Opening event on Friday, September 19th at 3:00 pm! Refreshments will be served.”
