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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2005-01-25 SSPECIAL COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 257 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 7:05 p.m. Present: Chair - Councillor G. Lorentz Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic and M. Galloway Councillor J. Gazzola - in attendance for part of the meeting. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer F. Pizzuto, General Manager of Community Services P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services K. Currier, Director of Operations K. Baulk, Director of Enterprises S. Adams, Director of Community Programs and Services R. Pitfield, Director of Communications / Marketing M. Hildebrand, Director of Aquatics & Athletics G. Hummel, Manager, Park Planning, Development & Operations J. Billett, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-05-021 - DRAFT LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-05-021, dated January 14, 2005, and Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP), dated January 2005, prepared by F.J. Galloway Management and Planning Consultants in conjunction with the GSP Group, Insight and TSH Engineers. The Plan is designed to set the foundations and give specific direction for the City's leisure facilities over the next 15 years. The report recommends that the draft LFMP be received and referred to Community Services staff for review, with a staff report to be brought forward with recommendations by August 30, 2005. Mr. Greg Hummel circulated this date a revised recommendation, asking that it be considered in place of the recommendation contained in staff report CSD-05-021. Mr. Hummel then introduced Mr. Fred Galloway, FJG Management and Planning Consultants, to present a review of the draft LFMP. Mr. F. Galloway commented on the extensive public consultation and research undertaken to complete the draft plan, noting that the plan contains over 40 recommendations and was developed in four segments, which include: the Plan foundation (vision, mission, principles and goals); leisure services policies; delivery strategies; and specific leisure facility initiatives. Highlights of his presentation included: Leisure Service Policies : focus on services that facilitate and encourage broad based participation amongst City residents at a recreational level; supports that link to specialized needs of targeted populations; services primarily intended to support key strategic initiatives of the City; and facility development targeted primarily at national and international level athletes / participants to be considered only within a sport tourism framework. The City's role will be firstly, to facilitate and support community groups and individuals; enter into partnerships, joint ventures and related collaborative initiatives resulting in shared responsibility and service delivery; and undertake direct delivery where other delivery strategies are not viable or available, through capital investment and annual budget support. Delivery Strategies: comprehensive review to be undertaken with regard to the following: analysis and evaluation of research collection; sustainability and enhancement of the current model of organizational support to community groups; entering into partnerships and joint ventures where viable and where investment benefits Kitchener residents; exploration of the role of developers in park, open space, community trails and leisure facility development; restructuring of the community grant program; new policy development; initiate discussions with other municipalities regarding multi-municipal approaches (ie. integrated services delivery model); facilities project development with a view toward multi-use facilities and requirement for business plans; pursue community use of schools to enhance community accessibility; and consideration of policies and strategies to preserve and protect natural areas for public use and enjoyment. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 257 2005 -13- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. CSD-05-021 - DRAFT LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN (CONT'D) Resource Centres: development of principles, criteria and strategies including: requirement for minimum 5 to 7 years successful / sustainable local program delivery; identifiable core of 10 to 15 volunteers who have been active for a minimum 1 to 2 years; definable neighbourhood or other service area that does not infringe on an established area; explore use of schools, churches and other service facilities before additions to existing centres occur; require submission of a business plan for new permanent facilities and any addition over $500,000.; require use of portables or shared facilities up to 5 years as a pre- development strategy to permanent facilities. Specific Initiative Framework : prioritization and estimated initial capital costs relative to specific facility initiatives and park and open space initiatives, identified as: Seniors Woodworking Centre development; Victoria Hills Community Centre Addition; Sport Tourism Policy development; Chandler-Mowat Community Centre permanent facility; West Kitchener Twin Pad; Mill-Courtland Community Centre expansion assessment; Kingsdale Community Centre permanent facility assessment; Rockway Seniors' Centre - explore broader based uses; South Kitchener District Recreation Centre and Park; Outdoor Pools sustainability / use of splash pads; facility renewal program (decommissioning of arenas / new development); Grand River Corridor Plan; Kiwanis Park Strategic Plan; Victoria Park and McLennan Park Master Plans; Community Trail development; under-serviced areas Parks Plan; skateboard / basketball / road hockey facility development; Queensmount ball fields replacement; East Kitchener soccer field development; football fields lighting upgrades; rugby facility development; and softball fields redevelopment and upgrading. Mr. F. Galloway responded to a number of questions, commenting on the intended review of the City's Community Grants Program to determine feasibility of condensing grant components from 7 to 3 and movement toward implementing accountability measures for community groups to require their investment participation. He commented on the importance of pursuing multi- municipal approaches to address potential over-supply of facilities, especially at Regional levels. At the same time, however, he cautioned that a balance must be struck to address equality in service levels throughout the community. Councillor J. Gazzola entered the meeting at this time. In regard to outdoor pools, Mr. Galloway stated that logically as indoor pools are built, outdoor pools should be closed; however, he noted that municipalities have been largely unsuccessful in such ventures because of public opposition. In reference to major sporting venues, Mr. Galloway stated that establishing a sports tourism policy will be critical in determining where the City needs to position itself with respect to future investments in major leisure facilities, such as a Nordic centre or track and field venues. He noted that residents in South Kitchener will benefit from a growing trend toward multi-use facilities where development of a library branch is being considered in conjunction with other recreational type uses. Concerns were raised with the viability of establishing a community centre in the Doherty arena and potential placement of a twin pad at the Queensmount arena, in the event either is decommissioned. Mr. Galloway noted that a building study will be required prior to determining viability of the Doherty arena and numerous issues have been identified that indicate the Queensmount arena is not likely to be a suitable location for a twin pad. He also commented on concerns raised regarding shared use of Kitchener facilities by residents of neighbouring municipalities, noting that cross-over is inevitable given the sports market does not align with municipal boundaries. He also pointed out that in some instances, volume participation is more critical to the success of a sporting venue than where a person resides. In regard to a proposal to sell a portion of Kiwanis Park tablelands for residential development, Mr. Galloway cautioned that once sold the lands would be lost in perpetuity and a certain amount of tablelands is necessary for sustainability of the park. He added that benefit to the community is not inherent in comparison to that of potential developers and their clients, and suggested that it would be better to consider how to reposition operation of the Park given its significance as a COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 257 2005 -14- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. CSD-05-021 - DRAFT LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN (CONT'D) river point access. In regard to trail development, Mr. Galloway noted rising popularity among a variety of users (cyclists, walking, in-line skating, etc.) and the trend toward service that meets differing needs. He recommended that allocations for trail development be substantially increased not only to address demand but to preserve and protect natural areas along the Grand River for future public enjoyment. In regard to public capital investment in leisure projects, Mr. Galloway reiterated that there is a growing expectation that community groups will fundraise and make capital contributions. He added that some municipalities have entertained naming rights relative to sponsorship partnering. The issue of multiculturalism was also raised and Mr. Galloway noted that Kitchener is one of the highly preferred immigrant destinations and accordingly, is a central consideration within the Plan. He added that some have never been exposed to recreational facilities and staff will have to work closely with cultural groups to encourage their participation. Councillor J. Smola advised that he would support the staff recommendation; however, he suggested that this may be an appropriate time to give direction with regard to the selling of a portion of the Kiwanis Park tablelands. He noted that with the Park operating at a deficit, revenues accrued from sale of the tablelands could be invested back into the park and provide a more immediate solution than waiting for implementation of an infrastructure program within the 10 Year Forecast. Councillors M. Galloway and J. Gazzola stated that they would not support the sale of any parkland as it represents valued assets to residents and enhances their quality of life. Councillor Galloway suggested that it would be more appropriate for staff to take a comprehensive approach to determine operational needs of the Park and provide recommendations as to what capital projects should be considered. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that consideration of the tablelands should be within the context of the Kiwanis Park Strategic Plan. Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that the Strategic Plan has been completed and will be brought forward in the near future; however, it was intentionally held in abeyance pending consideration of the draft LFMP. Councillor G. Lorentz and Mayor C. Zehr pointed out that consideration of the tablelands is only one component within the LFMP and was not intended to be debated at this time. Mayor Zehr expressed the opinion that the recommendations in the LFMP relative to development of plan principles and goals should be addressed first and once established, will guide future decisions on issues such as the tablelands. Mayor Zehr asked that the Kiwanis Park Master Plan not come forward until the LFMP principles and goals recommendations have been dealt with. At the request of Councillors B. Vrbanovic and M. Galloway, Ms. C. Ladd agreed to include the LFMP principles and goals recommendations as an item for discussion at the Shared Agenda sessions and suggested that it may also be beneficial to have a philosophic discussion regarding the sale of parklands. On motion by Councillor J. Smola- it was resolved: "That the Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan, dated January 2005, as prepared by F.J. Galloway Management and Planning Consultants in conjunction with the GSP Group, Insights and TSH Engineers, be received; and, That the Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan be referred to the Community Services Department for review, comment and assessment; and further, That the Community Services Department report to the Community Services Committee with its recommendations by August 30, 2005." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 257 2005 - 15 - 2. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. CITY OF KITCHENER Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator