Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutKitchener Recreation CommissionCity of Kitchener Corporate Archives Kitchener Recreation Commission fonds, 1948-1965. Prepared July 2000; Revised January 2001 KITCHENER RECREATION COMMISSION fonds. - 1948-1965. - 60 cm of textual records. On June 10, 1947 City Council agreed to create a Recreation Commission to provide programs to promote physical fitness within the community. The necessary by-law was passed on June 23, 1947, thereby formally establishing the Kitchener Recreation Commission. The Commission was composed of nine members: two from City Council, three from the Recreation Council, three from the School Board, and one from the Board of Park Management. As the objective of the Commission was to promote physical activity among the entire community, its members were actively involved in the creation and implementation of a wide variety of programs suitable for all members of the population. There were programs for adults, children, adolescents, senior citizens, and individuals that were physically or developmentally challenged. While considerable emphasis was placed upon physical fitness, particularly through the establishment of various sports teams and clubs, the Commission also encouraged the mental and social well being of the City's residents. It provided individuals with numerous opportunities to further their education through participation in various arts, craft, and dance classes. The Commission also operated several day and summer camps for both children and senior citizens. In 1963 the Commission became responsible for the programming and staffing of all municipal pools. Prior to this decision, municipal pools had been under the control of the Board of Park Management. In 1951 discussion regarding the possible union of the Recreation Commission with the Board of Park Management commenced. It continued for nearly fifteen years before direct action was taken. In 1964 City Council began a serious examination of the possibility of combining the two bodies to create a single commission that would assume the duties of both. Among those who favoured the amalgamation, it was argued that this would increase efficiency and improve communication. Not all were in favour of this union, as concern was expressed that this would dramatically increase the workload as the new organization would have fewer staff and yet have more responsibilities. Despite these misgivings, City Council officially approved the amalgamation of the Recreation Commission with the Board of Park Management on May 3, 1965, thereby creating the new Parks and Recreation Commission. The fonds consists primarily of agenda packages and scrapbooks which detail the activities of the Commission over the course of seventeen years. Several crests belonging to the Commission are also included. The agenda packages contain minutes, financial information, and reports from various committees. The scrapbooks consist mainly of newspaper clippings. However, photographs and children's drawings, crafts, and projects are also included. Title based on the contents of the fonds. Transferred to the City of Kitchener upon the dissolution of the Commission. 1: Agenda Packages. - 1963-1965. - 6 cm. This series is composed primarily of agenda packages. The agenda packages consist of minutes of the Commission, accounting information, and the reports of various committees and groups. They are arranged in chronological order. An index of the minutes and agenda packages is available in Appendix A. 2: Scrapbooks. - 1948-1965. - 17 bound volumes. This series consists of scrapbooks, which outline the activities of the Kitchener Recreation Commission over a period of fifteen years. They contain newspaper clippings, photographs, children's drawings, crafts, and projects. The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically; however the newspaper clippings are not necessarily arranged in chronological order. In addition, there are some instances in which the scrapbooks overlap each other as they cover the same time period. An index of the scrapbooks is available in Appendix B. 3: Crests. -1961-1965. - 1 cm. An index of the crests is available in Appendix C. APPENDIX A Series 1: Agenda Packages Title Date Volume/Item Box Agenda Packages 1963 3-1 10805 Agenda Packages Jan. -May 1964 3-2 10805 Agenda Packages June -Dec. 1964 3-3 10805 Agenda Packages 1965 3-4 10805 APPENDIX B Series 2: Scrapbooks Title Date Volume/Item Box Scrapbooks Jan.- Aug. 1948 1-1 10806 Scrapbooks 1951 1-2 10806 Scrapbooks Jan. - Jul. 1952 1-3 10806 Scrapbooks Jul. - Dec. 1952 1-4 10806 Scrapbooks Jan. - Dec. 1953 1-5 10806 Scrapbooks Jan. - Dec. 1954 1-6 10806 Scrapbooks Jan. - Dec. 1955 1-7 10806 Scrapbooks Jan. - Oct. 1956 2-1 10804 Scrapbooks Jan. - Dec., Jan. -Mar. 1957-1958 2-2 10804 Scrapbooks 1957 2-3 10804 Scrapbooks Apr. - Dec. 1958 2-4 10804 Scrapbooks 1959-1961 2-5 10804 Scrapbooks May- Aug. 1960 2-6 10804 Scrapbooks 1961-1963 2-7 10804 Scrapbooks 1963-1964 3-6 10805 Scrapbooks 1963-1964 3-7 10805 Scrapbooks 1964-1965 3-8 10805 APPENDIX C Series 3: Crests Title Date Volume/Item Box Crests 1961-1965 3-5 10805