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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-25-92 ;,. V THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT Date: JULY 6, 1991 C~-25-92 File #: File # \\0 A>. Res. #,b/A-?'97- ~ ~ By-Law # Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION Report #: Subject: PROGRAMS AND SERVICES WITHIN THE COURTICE COMMUNITY Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose & Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:- 1. That Report No. CS-25-92 be received for information; and 2. That a copy of this report be forwarded to Mrs. Ann Cowman and be advised of action taken by Council. 1.0 BACKGROUND: 1.1 At the April 21, 1992 meeting of Council, Mrs. Ann Cowman came forward to state her concerns regarding the availability of programs and services within the Courtice Community. At the conclusion of her presentation, Council approved the following recommendation: "THAT the delegation of Mrs. Ann Cowman be acknowledged and received, with appreciation; THAT her comments be forwarded to the Community Services Department for their assessment; and THAT Mrs. Ann Cowman be advised of Council's decision." 1.2 This report will provide Council with a brief overview of the programs and community services that are currently available to the residents of Courtice. .. /2 n'I.. 7 \) G ",,,me I;t;\ """ PAPE R 't:!:1 RECYCLE THIS IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER REPORT NO. CS-25-92 - 2 - JULY 6, 1992 2.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS: 2.1 There are a number of organizations that operate programs/ services within the Court ice area. Some of these organizations are centred in Courtice while others have offices located outside (Bowmanville, Oshawa, Whitby). One of the major providers of community services programs is the Town of Newcastle community Care. The focus of operation is to provide programs and support services to seniors and persons with special needs, where services are not otherwise provided. The following list is a sampling of the services and programs available to all Town of Newcastle communities. 2.1.1 Transportation - local and long distance (doctor appointments, clinics, shopping, meetings. etc.); 2.1.2 Home Support - services range from assistance with house cleaning and yard work to social visits and telephone security checks; and 2.1.3 Special programs - income tax/financial services, Meals on Wheels, foot care clinics etc. 2.2 Individuals who access the programs/services of Community Care and/or affiliated organizations also receive a quarterly newsletter that provides up-to-date information on events going on in the community and within Community Care. Community Care also accesses Church newsletters on a regular basis to ensure and/or increase the community's awareness of the programs available. 2.3 Another service provider within the Courtice area is the Town of Newcastle Public Library. The Library makes its services available to all residents of the Town. Many residents of Courtice are active members and participate in the various programs (eg. summer reading clubs, special March Break programs) operated by the Library. Currently the Library is involved in a joint venture with Community Care, providing book delivery to seniors who would otherwise not be able to .. /3 I:) ) ."/ -; U I REPORT NO. CS-25-92 - 3 - JULY 6, 1992 access the Library's extensive resource and reading material available. To participate seniors register/contact either of the two organization partners and the respective staff co- ordinate the necessary service. 3.0 RECREATIONAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS: 3.1 There are a number of groups, both community and non-community based, providing recreation/leisure programs within the Court ice Community. The Oshawa Young Women's Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.) operates a number of evening programs for children, youth and adults at Dr. Emily Stowe Public School from the end of September to the middle of June. The programs are from 10 - 12 weeks in duration and are co- ordinated out of the Bowmanville office (133 Church Street) of the Y.W.C.A. Included are: 3.1.1 Recreational Ballet classes for 3 - 4 and 5 - 6 year olds (Fridays); 3.1.2 Recreational Jazz classes for 3 - 4 and 5 - 6 year olds (Mondays); 3.1.3 Street Jazz classes for 7 - 9 year olds and youths 10 years of age or older (Wednesdays); 3.1.4 Babysitter Training for youth 12 years of age or older (Mondays); 3.1.5 Adult Fitness - Pre/Post Natal Exercise (Mondays) - Intense Workout (Wednesdays) - Fitness First (Wednesdays) - Mom & Daughter Workout (Thursdays); and 3.1.6 General Interest Workshops, usually arts & craft courses, throughout the year (workshops are usually held on one day for 2 to 4 hours). Through a brief conversation with Natalie Manders, Program Co- ordinator (Bowmanville) for the Y.W.C.A., it was stated that all programs offered in the Court ice area operated (with .. /4 o. 'i8 .t , I , ,- REPORT NO. CS-25-92 - 4 - JULY 6, 1992 minimum registration or better) and one program, Recreational Ballet, had a waiting list of individuals who were not accommodated in the Spring (April - June) session. 3.2 Recreation programs are also provided by community based volunteer organizations. Youth soccer programs are organized under the Darlington Youth Soccer Association which acts as an "umbrella" co-ordinating body for soccer throughout the entire Municipality. The soccer program in Court ice is part of this umbrella group and the community contact is Mr. Jim Harkin. 3.3 The Court ice Park Association organizes and operates recreational/house league ball programs (baseball and softball) for children and youth residing in the Courtice area. Games are scheduled at diamonds located wi thin the Courtice Community from mid-May to late September/early October. Mr. Don Hodge is the designated contact for baseball and Marian Corcoran is the designated contact for softball. 3.4 Competitive (inter-Municipal) baseball programs are co- ordinated by the Town of Newcastle Baseball Association (T.O.N.B.A.) and games are played at diamonds throughout the entire Community as well as in neighbouring Municipalities. 3.4 For winter programs, services to the Courtice area are somewhat limited due to lack of available facilities. Children who are interested in figure skating have the choice of joining anyone of three Figure Skating Clubs, operating out of Bowmanville, Orono or Newcastle Village. Since all the clubs offer similar programs (Canskate, CanFigureskate and elite training) the selection of club usually depends on distance from residence to arena, Club fees and the Club's coaching staff. 3.5 For recreational and competi ti ve ice hockey programs, Courtice residents have the choice of playing in Bowmanville, Newcastle Village or Orono. Each community provides house league and .. /5 nfl\; ""1 1 I '] l 'j / REPORT NO. CS-25-92 - 5 - JULY 6, 1992 all-star programs. For hockey the choice is based on many different factors but distance from residence to arena, coaching staff and perceived calibre of program are the normal decision-makers. Regardless of the centre, the hockey and figure skating needs of the Courtice residents are being satisfied at this time. 4.0 COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS: 4.1 within the Courtice area is the Courtice and Area Community Association. This volunteer organization was started in July 1988 and, meets the second Thursday of each month at the Court ice Secondary School Library (7: 30 p.m.), is working towards keeping all Courtice residents informed as to things going on (both inside and outside) of the community, special events and issues that effect or are of interest to the residents. To join this Association, residents pay a small annual fee (in 1991 the fee was $5.00/year) and participate in the monthly meetings. Members also receive a newsletter that is produced and distributed by the Association. 4.2 The Court ice and Area Community Association is actively invol ved in the proposed Court ice community Centre. They have representation on the Technical Advisory Committee and have established a subcommittee to pursue fundraising initiatives that will be used to assist financing the construction of this facility. Currently the "Community Centre Fundraising Committee" lists 45 Courtice residents as active members. This subcommittee in association with the umbrella Association, has operated an annual carnival and flea market to bring Courtice residents together and to raise money for the proposed Centre (this activity has been done for a number of years prior to the establishment of the Fundraising committee) . 4.3 The Court ice and Area Community Association has been provided financial support, through the Municipal Grant process, for .. /6 q Il'" , I I REPORT NO. CS-25-92 - 6 - JULY 6, 1992 a number of years - they received $1,200.00 in both 1991 and 1992 to assist with the operation of the Carnival and production of their community newsletter. The Association continues to plan special events and activities that will pull the residents of Courtice together and provide the necessary community communication linkages. 5.0 COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT: 5.1 The Recreation Division of the Community Services Department has established many contacts within the Court ice Community. Staff work closely with community volunteers to facilitate the various community-based programs. This facilitation is in the form of facility scheduling assistance, promotional assistance for special events/activities and ongoing liaison/consultation with representatives of the Courtice Park Association and the Courtice and Area Community Association. The foundation for community networking and communications has already been established and staff continue in their efforts to maintain and nurture this relationship to the mutual benefit of all concerned. 5.2 The provision of direct program services to the Court ice area has been initiated through the 1992 budget process. Funds have been allocated to implement fitness classes, at S. T. Worden Public School and Summer Day Camps at Dr. Emily Stowe Public School from the 20th to 24th of July. All programs offered will operate providing that minimum registration requirements (based on a break-even budget) are satisfied. 5.3 The Department will continue to work with the residents of the Courtice area and the established community groups to ensure that the identified recreational/ leisure are addressed. There is a need to strive to maintain a balance between programs operated (directly) by the Town of Newcastle - Community Services Department and those that are operated by other groups/agencies/associations but facilitated, in some way, by the Town. ../7 ')' ' \-1 I I l REPORT NO. CS-25-92 - 7 - JULY 6, 1992 6.0 CONCLUSION: 6.1 It is the opinion of the Community Services Department that the Court ice area residents are not lacking in program initiatives or in service levels. There is no question that this area is currently in need of recreational facilities, however, Community groups and the Municipality are working co-operatively to provide the required facility components. The Community Services Department will continue to plan and implement services and/or programs, based on identified community needs, through future budgets. The Department will also continue to work co-operatively with the other providers to ensure that services and programs are consistent, co- ordinated and are not in duplication. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee, P. Caruana, Director tment of Community Services Officer JPC:JJC:sa '-1 ' t I ,>' , / i i ..._