HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-023 - Leisure Access Card (LAC) - Plan for Service Enhancement
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Prepared By:
Community Services Committee
June 18th, 2007
Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director, Community Programs &
Services (x2687)
Lori Palubeski, Manager, Program & Resource Services
(x2623)
All
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
June 14th 2007
,
CSD-07-023
LEISURE ACCESS CARD (LAC) - PLAN FOR SERVICE
ENHANCEMENT
RECOMMENDATION:
That the recommendations outlined in the leisure Access Card - Plan for Service
Enhancement (Appendix A), attached to CSD-07-023, that have no budget implications be
approved and further,
That the budget requests associated with the leisure Access Card - Plan for Service
Enhancement be referred to staff for consideration and prioritization during 2008 budget
deliberations.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This report presents staff recommendations via a Plan for Service Enhancement (Appendix A)
based on the Leisure Access Card Service Review Final Report (Appendix B) submitted by the
staff project team. Staff is suggesting that the recommendations not associated with specific
budget costs be approved in order to determine if there is existing resource capacity to initiate
immediate service improvements. Recommendations that are associated with specific budget
requests will be brought forward for consideration during the 2008 departmental budget
planning process.
BACKGROUND:
Today, approximately 1.1 million Canadian children, or one out of six, lives in poverty (Report
Card on Child and Family Poverty, 2002). Locally, this statistic is even more troubling. In
Waterloo Region, one in five children (or 14,505) experience some form of poverty. Our
experiences and research in this field indicate that access to and participation in recreational
and leisure activities has a proven positive impact on the lives of low-income families and their
children.
Report No. CSD-07-023
Paae 2
Since 1989, the City of Kitchener has been providing program fee subsidies to ensure access to
direct recreational and leisure programs. The scope and delivery model of this service has
evolved over the years to what we now know as the Leisure Access Card (LAC) service.
In 2004, there was a significant increase in demand for financial program assistance. At that
time, Council approved a $23,000 over expenditure to the LAC budget in order to ensure
continued access to direct programs. Council also requested that staff undertake a detailed
long term review of the service and develop a sustainable delivery strategy. As a result of
Council's direction, an inter-departmental staff project team was appointed and began the
review process in December of 2004.
As the review process for the LAC ensued, other corporate and departmental initiatives
compelled staff to further broaden our definition of access and inclusion. The Leisure Facilities
Master Plan (2005) recommends that the department embark on new policy development in
several program and service areas which include policy development as it relates to access and
equity. The recently approved "A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener" (2006) provides strategic
direction on how to build an inclusive community. Specifically, it recommends that the
Corporation support staff in implementing priorities from the Leisure Facilities Master Plan,
which includes the development of a leisure access strategy.
REPORT:
The benefits of participation in recreation and leisure programs are well documented. The
Canadian Parks and Recreation Association's Benefits Catalogue (1997), outlines the value of
recreation to individuals and communities. These benefits include, but are not limited to:
· personal benefits (childhood development),
· social benefits (leadership development),
· economic benefits (reduce vandalism),
· environmental benefits (increase property values).
The research and the literature indicates that recreation matters for all individuals and that
access to recreation is a human right, as stated in article 31 of "The United Nations Convention
on the Rights of the Child" (1989). More specifically, research also suggests that recreation is
an effective and economical way to improve the quality of lives for families who have low-
incomes. We know that by removing financial barriers to programs and services, we help to
ensure the inclusion of youth and families with low incomes.
The Leisure Access Card is a service that provides fee subsidies to children, youth, adults and
seniors for City of Kitchener direct programs. This service has evolved and expanded over the
years to respond to a number of internal and external factors such as; access for service users,
partnership development, grant opportunities and financial tracking and data collection
requirements. It is important to note that while staff have adapted and amended the service over
the years, a more strategic perspective has been missing in the delivery of this service.
During the Council-directed review process, program fee assistance models from several
municipalities, including two-tier government structures, were researched. Interestingly, staff
determined that the role of the municipality differed in each case. Program fee subsidy models
varied depending on a variety of factors such as:
· municipal budgets,
· funding received from regional governments (where applicable),
· partnerships with local business,
Report No. CSD-07-023
Paae 3
· community capacity,
· departmental access policies.
Locally, the Region of Waterloo provides some financial supports to Kitchener residents.
Dollars are provided through the National Child Benefit Outreach program to assist with
program costs not currently covered by the respective municpalities. Examples of thes costs
include equipment costs or transit costs.
The project team submitted a final report (Appendix B) including recommendations for a phased
approach to various department initiatives. The recommendations, including the Plan for
Service Enhancements (Appendix A) have been reviewed by CSD senior management. The
Plan will serve as a three-year planning document that will assist staff in making decisions
regarding the pacing of the recommendations.
Plan for LAC Service Enhancement (Appendix A) - Summary
The following is a summary of the recommendations noted in the service enhancement plan:
Philosophy & Policy Development:
· To develop a LAC service philosophy statement that will guide staff in program
development, decision making and resource allocation
· To develop a program/fee subsidy policy
Improved Service Delivery:
· To develop an internal/external marketing plan
· To replace the sale of swim admission book tickets with an admissions swipe card
· To develop tools and training opportunities to assist staff in customer service
· To develop a LAC customer evaluation and feedback process
· To investigate the potential role of frontline facility staff in various phases of the LAC
process
· That the LAC be recognized by all City of Kitchener affiliated sport groups and
neighbourhood associations as proof of subsidy eligibility
· That the current seasonal subsidy allotment be eliminated and be replaced with one
annual allotment per customer
· To investigate the capacity and the potential of CLASS system upgrades for the
purposes of improved LAC tracking, monitoring etc.
· To coordinate and promote low cost-no cost recreational opportunities offered by the
City of Kitchener's and our affiliated groups/agencies
· To investigate potential partnership opportunities with local business and relevant
agencies
· To investigate opportunities to expand access to arts and culture related activities,
events, venues etc.
Resource/Budget Enhancement:
· To create and fund a permanent part time LAC Coordinator position. This position
will coordinate and deliver all aspects of the service, proceed with implementing the
approved recommendations and investigate potential opportunities for collaborations
with agencies who serve families living in poverty.
· To continue efforts in researching alternative funding sources
Report No. CSD-07-023
Paae 4
· Increase the current subsidy budget via a three year phased-in approach as noted in
the chart below. Customers will be permitted to access their annual allotments at
their own discretion.
Three year increase to subsidy budget - Phase in by 201 0:
Subsidy per Child Subsidy per Adult
Year (Annual) (Annual)
2007 (current) $200 $200
2008 $220 $205
2009 $250 $215
2010 $280 $225
Estimated Budoet Implications Resultino from LAC Service Enhancements:
Staff have researched the financial implications and developed a proposed budget
based on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in Appendix A. These
requests will be brought forward during 2008 departmental budget deliberations and will
be considered within the context of other departmental priorities and concurrent reviews.
The proposed budget is as follows:
Approved Proposed Proposed Proposed
2007 2008 2009 2010
Budget Budget Budget Budget
Fee Subsidy 45,000 65,000 85,000 105,000
Wages & Benefits 45,500 46,865 48,271
Marketing 1 ,000 1 ,000 1 ,000
Annual Budget 45,000 111 ,500 132,865 154,271
It is important to highlight that currently, the Corporation and our affiliated partners,
provide additional opportunities for program access. The Aquatics Division absorbs
approximately $30,000 in subsidies for swim tickets per year. As well, the majority of
Neighbourhood Associations and Minor Sports groups have developed processes to
support for families facing economic challenges to program participation.
Next Steps:
In order to begin implementing the recommendations outlined above, staff will proceed
by fi rst:
· Prioritizing 2007 recommendations, without associated budget implications, and
determining existing resource capacity to proceed with implementation
· Investigating potential collaborations and models for improved program access
with local government and service providers
· Exploring the existence of potential internal resources which could be utilized to
support service enhancements
· Developing issue papers for the 2008 departmental budget deliberations
Report No. CSD-07-023
Paae 5
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
In order to ensure "richness" in the LAC review, cross departmental staff participation on the
project team and community consultation was deemed as project deliverables. Several focus
groups with LAC customers and relevant agencies were implemented as well as consultation
with Faculty from the University of Waterloo's Recreation and Leisure Services Department.
In a continued effort to ensure that staff and the public are aware of the service, an internal and
external marketing plan will be developed. This will include training opportunities for staff.
Evaluation and monitoring will be a component incorporated in each phase of implementation.
CONCLUSION:
Access to quality recreation and leisure programs is an important determinant in the health of
our community. Accessible recreation and leisure programs contribute to a healthy lifestyle for
all individuals. Removing economic barriers to program access is one way for the City of
Kitchener to take a lead in creating a healthy community.
Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director
Community Programs & Services
AP
