HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-101 - Stanley Park Community Centre Update
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Community Services Committee
October 2, 2006
Prepared By:
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and
Services
Abbie Grafstein, District Facilitator, ext. 2467
Chicopee Grand River
September 12, 2006
CSD-06-101
Stanley Park Community Centre Update
RECOMMENDATION:
For information only.
BACKGROUND:
This report provides Council with an update on the first year of operations of the Stanley Park
Community Centre.
On April 19, 2004 Council approved the construction budget for Stanley Park Community Centre
(SPCC), a 19,760 square foot building attached to St. Daniel School on Midland Avenue. In
June of that year a groundbreaking ceremony was held to kick off the construction of the new
building. Ball Construction Inc. was hired as the construction manager in July and excavation
began in late fall. The construction team--consisting of trades, City staff, school board officials,
and volunteer representatives of the local church and Stanley Park Community Association
(SPCA)-met bi-weekly throughout construction. Construction was substantially complete in
September 2005 and a Grand Opening Celebration was held on September 17, 2005.
REPORT:
SPCA volunteers chose the Grand Opening Celebration as the event to showcase their
commitment and passion for the Stanley Park area. Together with City staff, they worked
tirelessly to organize an event that was enjoyed by close to 1 ,000 people. In addition to the
formal Grand Opening ceremony, highlights included:
· the unveiling of the public art installation
· a community information fair with local agencies and organizations
· a youth dance
Report No. CSD-06-1 01
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· children's entertainment and crafts
· a 3-on-3 basketball tournament
· the Doon Mobile SK8 Park
This event was hugely successful and was the perfect kick-off to a year filled with many "firsts".
Centre staff recognizes the dedication and commitment of SPCA volunteers and are honoured
to continue to work alongside them.
Facilitv Use
The community and the school have enjoyed the centre and have utilized the facilities for the
following functions and programs:
· 76 recreation and leisure programs offered by SPCA.
· Daily physical education programs, intramural volleyball games, a Christmas dinner and a
grade 8 graduation dance for St. Daniel School students
· A weekly card program for Seniors
· Rock Revival 2006
· 38 private rental functions with at total of over 5,000 people in attendance. Rentals have
included fundraisers, cultural celebrations, birthday and anniversary parties, sports groups,
training events and meetings.
· A weekly walking program for adults
· Youth Drop-In and Summer Playgrounds
· Connect KW computers-serving an average 87 users per month.
Partnerships
Scheduling the gym is a lengthy process for centre staff. Consultation with the school and
SPCA must be thorough and detailed. Each of the stakeholders attends seasonal scheduling
meetings with an extremely high degree of goodwill and a 'Let's make this work' approach. It is
well worth the effort when the results are a busy, well-used space. In the first year of operations,
the facility partnership with St. Daniel School proved to be entirely feasible.
Similarly, the centre's parking partnership with the school and St. Anthony Daniel parish has
proven to be workable for all three stakeholders.
As would be expected, there have been growing pains along the way with each of the primary
stakeholders. Through open communication and respect for opinions and needs, potential
scheduling conflicts have been avoided--negotiation and problem solving has been the
approach of choice.
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Outstandina Construction Items: Furnishinas
Staff and SPCA volunteers continue to work on furnishing the centre. While this task is near
completion, some items have yet to be finalized. The intent is to create a warm, welcoming
atmosphere that reflects the uniqueness of the Stanley Park neighbourhood balanced against
the provision of information and resources to support healthy community development.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
This project is 990/0 complete. Projected costs for furnishing the centre are covered within the
approved construction budget; however final financial figures will not be available for at least six
months as expenses related to the outstanding furnishing items have yet to be finalized.
In addition to the furnishings, one additional item remains outstanding. Staff have experienced
some difficulty manipulating one of the partitions and remedial work will be scheduled within the
next six months. Once this work has been completed, staff will be in a position to close out the
construction account.
When construction began in 2004, SPCA contributed $1 00,000. A loan approved by the City in
Report CSD-04-071, has enabled SPCA to contribute to a further $1 00,000 to the construction
budget. The loan will be repaid over seven years, at a rate of $14, 286 per year. Funds to
repay this loan will be raised through program revenues and special events. On August 31 ,
2006 SPCA delivered the first instalment of their loan payment to the City.
CONCLUSION:
The Stanley Park community is only just beginning to see the potential for its newest resource.
2006-07 is shaping up to be even busier than the inaugural year. Fall 2006 at Stanley Park
Community Centre will feature the following new programs and activities:
· A modest celebration of the first anniversary of the centre.
· The introduction of 20 new SPCA programs.
· A pilot project facilitated by SPCC staff in which National Child Benefit Outreach workers
from two local neighbourhoods will administer fee assistance to residents requiring
support for SPCA programs.
· English as a Second Language classes will be offered by KW English School 5
afternoons each week.
· SPCA, SPCC, Stanley Park Optimists and other local volunteers are collaborating to
host a Region of Waterloo sponsored Child Health Fair in October.
Staff looks forward to supporting the many opportunities that will develop out of the use of
the centre.
Mark Hildebrand
Interim Director, Community Programs and Services
AP