Victoria council is hoping to serve up some fun at Centennial Square by installing table tennis and chess tables.
Councillors have agreed to allocate up to $11,000 for table tennis and chess in the square adjacent to city hall - provided it can find a partner to match the funds.
"So essentially it's up to the community to step up if they want their table tennis tables and their chess tables," said Coun. Ben Isitt, who proposed making the funds available.
"So the trigger to expend that would be the 50 per cent matching being in place from philanthropic or external organizational source."
Councillors also agreed to spend up to $50,000 on a moveable, temporary children's play feature in the square.
Isitt said the children's feature would essentially be a climbable piece of art and play feature not unlike Cadborosaurus in Saanich's Cadboro-Gyro Park.
"The direction council has given is we'd like the RFP [request for proposals] process to put an emphasis on works of art that incorporate either Chinese-Canadian or First Nation themes to reflect the cultural heritage of that area," he said.
Isitt said there is a "wellness benefit" from the chess and table tennis activities.
"I think the wellness benefit shouldn't be underestimated both in terms of physical activity - ping pong can be quite good exercise - and the wellness for seniors and others playing chess and the social interactions that doesn't currently take place in the square," he said.
Mayor Lisa Helps, who originally proposed the idea of the chess and table tennis tables, said she supported the spending "with a sigh."
"I raised it because I was curious and I think we can do simple, fun things to make that space more engaging," Helps said, adding that she's also well aware of the fact the city is undertaking a planning exercise for the square "so presumably anything we install there would be temporary and moveable."
Helps noted that the games tables and the play feature can be used elsewhere if it is ultimately decided they aren't a fit for Centennial Square.
"I don't consider one dollar of the play feature or these things, should they go ahead, as wasted because they can be picked up and moved somewhere else in the city and enjoyed there," Helps said. "I can think of lots of parks where table tennis and chess would be welcome if they don't end up staying here in Centennial Square."
Coun. Jeremy Loveday, who ultimately supported the games expense, said he had "some hesitancy" about doing it prior to the completion of the master plan for the square.
"It seems like a lot of money to be spending on the square on a temporary basis," Loveday said.
City staff say existing security staff or recreation staff could be used to make sure chess pieces or table tennis paddles and balls don't go missing.
Coun. Geoff Young was opposed to the games spending saying "there were too many practical and operational issues."
"As it is we're in the process of demolishing our public chess board up on the top of Beacon Hill almost at this moment," Young said.
Councillors also approved up to $75,000 to be spent to create and install a symbol of the Lekwungen people somewhere in the vicinity of city hall.
Coun. Marianne Alto said the type of installation would be determined through consultation with First Nations and is part of the city's commitment in relation to its declaration of 2017 as the Year of Reconciliation.
Council's budget deliberations are to continue in the coming week.
