Courtenay has added its name to the list of True Sport Communities across the country.

The city declared itself a True Sport Community last week, joining more than 1,500 other communities, organizations, clubs, leagues and teams across Canada, including the Town of Comox. True Sport is a national movement for sport and community.

One aspect of being a True Sport Community is developing an integrated community sport plan aimed at providing accessible, quality sport experiences to all community members.

“I think it’s a win-win,” said Coun. Larry Jangula. “There is no cost to our taxpayers; this is just a really positive thing. I really appreciate us going in this direction.”

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Quality Foods can have a large sign when it builds its new store in the Driftwood Mall.

Courtenay council approved a development variance permit to vary the city’s sign bylaw’s maximum total area for signs mounted on buildings from nine square metres to 34.4 square metres for Quality Foods.

The sign will be centred above the glass awning in the location previously occupied by the Save-on Foods sign.

Council received two letters stating Dual Holdings Ltd. and Parhar Property Management Ltd. had no objections to the application and agreed with the variance.

Coun. Ronna-Rae Leonard was the only councillor to vote against the application.

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A new neighbourhood park will be created in South Courtenay, and the community helped come up with the concept.

Council approved a concept plan Monday for a park at Hornby Place and Galloway Place that will be one-third of an acre.

The area has been excavated, irrigation has been installed, and the property has been seeded to give residents some basic green space, Randy Wiwchar, the city’s director of community services, explained in his report to council.

Twenty-five people attended a neighbourhood meeting in late September, providing suggestions that contributed to the concept plan, which includes benches, picnic tables, landscaping, signage, garbage containers and playground equipment.

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