HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-26-91 V
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STING: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION
DATE: June 17, 1991
REPORT #: (`s-26-91 FILE #:
SURECT:
PARTICIPaction - Review
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose &
Administration Committee recommend to Council the following:-
1. That Report No. CS-26-91 be received for information.
1.0 BACKGROUND:
1. 1 The PARTICIPaction Challenge has been a part of the
Community Services Department's special events program for
many years . In 1991, the normal schedule of activities was
expanded to include the regular call-in activity as well as
a "Snappy Sneaker Contest" and a new community-wide WALK-A-
BLOCK.
2 . 0 WALK-A-BLOCK:
2 . 1 In past years, the Community Services Department has hosted
special fitness activities, such as fitness classes and
lambada dancing, in the Civic Square of the Municipal
Administration Centre. These activities, although fairly
well attended and enjoyable, were considered to be targeted
for only those who were already in good physical condition
and/or within the "younger generation" . To remove the
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REPORT NO. CS-26-91 - 2 - JUNE 17, 1991
barriers and encourage more participation in physical
fitness, the Program/Community Relations Division planned,
promoted and operated a community-wide walking activity.
2 .2 This event involved participation and co-operation of the
Public Works Department, the Fire Department and the Durham
Regional Police Force. The staff of the Public Works
Department provided assistance in the completion of the Road
Occupancy Permit and the barricading of the walk route to
normal traffic. The enthusiasm and cooperation of the
Public Works Department employees was most appreciated.
2 . 3 The Newcastle Fire Department also provided their support
and co-operation as being the official "pace pumper" of the
walk. The Fire Fighters, Deputy Chief and Chief made
themselves available to provide any requested assistance and
participated in the walk itself. The presence of the pumper
was considered a highlight for the children from Central
Public School, who participated in the walk.
2 .4 The WALK-A-BLOCK event has been reviewed by the staff and
has been recognized as a success . According to the head
count taken, approximately 352 individuals took the time to
participate. The true success of this event was the walkers
themselves . There were individuals using canes or
wheelchairs participating as well as children, adults and
seniors. The community as a whole was well represented.
All walkers received a token of appreciation for their
participation - some received PARTICIPaction pins while
others were given PARTICIPaction stickers . The walk
concluded at the Civic Square where the Community Services
Department provided juices and popcicles. Through informal
discussions with individual participants it appears that
they enjoyed participating as much as we did hosting.
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REPORT NO. CS-26-91 - 3 - JUNE 17, 1991
2 .5 There were a number of community groups/associations that
contributed to the success of this event. They included
Newcastle Community Care, Resident Activity Program
(R.A.P. ) , Bowmanville Memorial Hospital (both staff and the
Resident's Council) and the Good Neighbours Committee.
3.0 SNAPPY SNEAKER CONTEST:
3. 1 Employees of the Town of Newcastle were invited to
participate in a Snappy Sneaker Contest as part of the
PARTICIPaction Challenge Day. The sneakers were judged by
Pattie Barrie (Clerk's) , Gary Hanewich (Planning) and Tony
Cannella (Public Works) . The first prize for this event was
a sport bag that was donated by Reebok Canada. The winners
of the contest were:
Most Original Scott Rose (Community Services)
Snappiest Elaine Ormiston (Treasury)
Heritage Nancy O'Flaherty (Administration)
Most Colourful Trixie Wright (Community Services)
Biggest Heather Moulton (Planning)
Young-at-Heart Jackie Forsey (Treasury)
Dottiest Linda Bruce (Clerk's)
Flower Power Kim MacDonald (Clerk's)
3 .2 Although the participation in this event was somewhat
limited, it will definitely become a regular offering of the
Town of Newcastle's PARTICIPaction Challenge Day program.
One of the off-shoots of this type of event is the promotion
of the team concept and a boost in staff motivation and
morale. Perhaps next year it will become a Department
Challenge.
4 .0 PARTICIPaction CALL-IN:
4 . 1 This activity was not as successful in 1991 as it had been
in past years . Participation by the community, as a whole,
was disappointing but will provide incentive for the 1992
planning team. In 1990, a total of 16,478 individuals
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REPORT NO. CS-26-91 - 4 - JUNE 17, 1991
(representing 36 . 62% of the total population) took the time
to do 15 minutes of activity and register with the staff at
the Newcastle Fitness Centre. In 1991, a total of 5,324
individuals (representing 11. 83% of the total population)
registered their activities . Although there is some solace
in the fact that PARTICIPaction figures from surrounding
municipalities were significantly lower than in previous
years, it is still a disappointing turn of events .
4 .2 Some factors that impacted on the call-in aspect of the
Challenge Day program were beyond the control of the
planning team. For example, the national advertising
campaign that the Federal Office of Sport and Fitness
produces was not as strong this year as it had been in the
past. Perhaps this speaks to the current recession and the
impact it has had on Government spending. Municipalities
tend to rely on this type of advertising to boost
participation in their own communities .
4 .3 Despite the decrease in participation, staff are
enthusiastic that they can use this as incentive to achieve
a greater level of success in 1992 . For those who are new
to this Municipality and the Department, the call-in program
has been a learning experience and the short-comings that
were experienced in 1991 will be anticipated and resolved
prior to the operation in 1992 .
5 . 0 COMMENTS:
5 . 1 In planning the program/events for the PARTICIPaction
Challenge Day 1992 the Community Services Department team
will review the operation of the 1991 event and determine
the best way to proceed in order to encourage greater
awareness and participation in fitness activities at the
community level. The program will include the call-in
program as well as another event for the Municipal staff.
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REPORT NO. CS-26-91 - 5 - JUNE 17, 1991
These activities have a direct relationship to the image of
the Town as perceived by its residents and promote community
spirit throughout the Municipality.
Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation
to the Committee,
Joseprf P. Caruana, Director Lawrence E. Kotseff
Depa ment of Community Services Chief A. ' istrative Officer
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