Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-24-93THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CS -24 -93 be received; 2. THAT Council endorse the establishment of a Seniors' Community Action Committee as defined in report CS- 24 -93; 3. THAT the implementation strategies (both short -term and long -term) be approved in principal; and 4. THAT members of the Seniors' Centre Activity Centre Steering Committee be thanked for their participation and dedication to the completion of the Seniors' Activity Centre Feasibility Study. 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 The Community Services Department, has participated in the completion of two research projects that, to different degrees, addressed the issue of a Seniors' Activity Centre in this Municipality. The first study, the Recreation /Leisure Services Master Plan, was not specific to the needs and issues of seniors although it did present the following recommendation: "A Seniors' Centre for central Bowmanville should be considered if capital support for the necessary space can be found." (Recreation/Leisure Master Plan; Recommendation #26) ./2 'O5 REPORT CS -24 -93 -2. SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 1.2 The second study, the Seniors' Activity Centre Feasibility Study, was specific to the needs and issues of the seniors residing within the boundaries of the Municipality. This study was initiated, with Council's approval and support, by the established Seniors' Centre Steering Committee. This Committee created the study's Terms of Reference and was a full partner in the consultant selection and project implementation processes and the completion of the final report with recommendations for Council's consideration. The research information collected and analyzed, by the Greer Galloway Group Incorporated, does support the establishment of a Seniors' Activity Centre within the Bowmanville urban area. 1.3 With these two studies as support documentation, this report will address the demonstrated need for a seniors' facility and will present a three (3) stage implementation strategy for Council to consider. The first stage will address the need for a co- ordinating body that is "in tune" with the needs of seniors. The second stage will propose a short -term (5 year) plan that is intended to provide an immediate response to the identified needs. Finally, the third stage will present a long -term (5 years and beyond) plan that will address the needs and issues of seniors into the next century. It should be noted that the time frame of the Senior's Activity Centre Feasibility study is approximately five (5) years. 2.0 SENIORS' ACTION COMMITTEE 2.1 During the course of the Feasibility Study, the Seniors' Steering Committee had a definitive to role and purpose to fulfil. With the study's completion and subsequent presentation ad Council, the Committee's operational mandate was officially achieved they accomplished the task that they had been asked to do. In light of this, it is respectfully requested that Council officially recognize and thank all Committee members (Attachment 1) for their commitment, dedication and participation in the completion of the Study. 2.2 Although the Steering Committee's original mandate has been realized, the need for an organized body to co- ordinate, promote and develop programs for seniors still exists. A Seniors' Community Action Committee could be an effective way of accomplishing this as the Committee would function as a forum through which older adults could channel their reactions and suggestions for change to those who are responsible for decision - making (be it the Municipality and /or individual program providers). 2.3 The feeling of being part of the community and contributing to the quality o community life is important. The Committee could help by promoting voluntary service s in p people may participate. This type of committee could draw members from /3 `)06 REPORT CS -24 -93 -3 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 existing organizations, as well as the general public, and should be capable of accomplishing much more than a single organization. This Committee, through their many channels of communication, can help people realize that many older adults are capable of useful work and have discretionary time to devote to voluntary community service, and the desire to do what is necessary to help themselves. 2.4 The proposed Committee could assist other seniors' organizations and agencies by collecting relevant information and producing an annual brochure promoting the programs and services available to seniors in and about the Municipality. The Committee could also work with its community partners to identify gaps in current program service levels. Through this community development approach, plans could be formulated whereby a limited number of self - sufficient programs could be implemented. With Council's approval of this report, Community Services Department staff will assist the Committee in making application to the grant process for consideration during the 1994 budget process. 2.5 The proposed Seniors' Community Action Committee would be a working partner of the Municipality for both the short-term and long -term implementation strategies. As in the case with the majority of community groups, a staff member would be responsible to act as a resource consultant/liaison between the Committee and Council. Should Council approve this proposal, it is suggested that the members of the original Steering Committee be encouraged to participate in this initiative. The Committee's first order of business will be to organize their Committee and to prepare operational guidelines (ie. Constitution) to be used as a reference document outlining reporting structures and establish the mandate of the Committee. 3.0 SHORT -TERM STRATEGY 3.1 Given the current economics of today, and the fact that the Municipality has already committed a substantial amount of both financial and human resources to the proposed Courtice Community Complex, a Seniors' Activity Centre has not been included in the 5 year capital plan of the Community Services Department. In light of the existing economic and societal conditions, the Municipality of Clarington must develop a plan that will resolve the immediate /short -term (current to 5 years) needs of the Municipality's seniors. This short - term plan could include the co- ordination and promotion of current programs and services available to seniors (as previously discussed in Section 2.0) and the establishment of a interim Seniors Centre. ./4 REPORT CS -24 -93 - 4 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 3.2 The purpose of establishing an interim Centre would be to generate and maintain community interest in and awareness of programs and services available to seniors. The availability of information and program services would enable the Seniors' Community Action Committee to establish a presence within the community that, in the long run, would provide the basis for the long -term financial and community commitment necessary to the overall success of this initiative. 3.3 If Council approves this concept, in principle, the Community Services Department will initiate and assist the Committee in an investigation into the availability of existing sites, including Municipally owned facilities, within the Bowmanville urban area. This investigation would evaluate available floor space, spatial requirements of the proposed interim Centre and any rental fees that might apply. This information would then be compiled for Council to consider, during the 1994 Municipal Grant Allocations, including all operational considerations and recommendations establishing each facility's suitability to accommodate the needs of the Municipality's seniors population. 4.0 LONG -TERM STRATEGY 4.1 The Seniors Activity Centre Feasibility Study strongly supports the establishment of a centrally located Seniors' Activity Centre. Its recommendations have proposea the amenities /components that this Centre should include and has further suggested that the operation could be solely the responsibility of the Municipality or a combined partnership between private and public sectors. These aspects must be considered as the Municipality progresses towards the realization and completion of the Centre, however, both will depend heavily on the direction of Council as it relates to the actual siting of the Centre. As indicated in Section 3.0, the economics of today may not be conducive to the actual construction of a Seniors' facility at this time but planning for. the long -term (5 years and beyond) is necessary to ensure success in preparing for the future. 4.2 The Feasibility Study lists four (4) possible sites for the Centre - the Bowmanville Recreation Complex; the Vanstone Mill lands; the "Wellington" project (corner of Seugog and Wellington); and, the south -east corner of Wellington and Temperance Streets. In compliance with the study's Terms of Reference the consultants, Greer Galloway Group, were asked to prioritize the possible sites in accordance with the established siting criteria. ./5 REPORT CS -24 -93 - 5 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 This prioritized list was provided in a letter to the Community Services Department dated September 14, 1992 and indicates the site locations (most to least favoured) as follows: 1. Land on south -east corner of Wellington and Temperance Streets; 2. Bowmanville Recreation Complex; 3. Vanstone Mill lands; and, 4. "The Wellington" project. 4.3 Given that the actual construction of a Seniors' Activity Centre is a long -term strategy, it is not necessary to deal specifically with the issues of siting and operating the Centre at this time. 5.0 CONCLUSIONS 5.1 Based on the research and information presented in the Seniors' Activity Centre Feasibility Study there is significant support for the establishment of a Seniors' Activity Centre in the Bowmanville urban area. For further support, one only has to look to our neighbours in the west (specifically the City of Oshawa and the Town of Whitby) to see that there is a growing need for programs, services and facilities for seniors. The Municipality of Clarington has the opportunity to not only to be innovators but to be "pro- active" in addressing the needs of our seniors. 5.2 In this report, a three -step implementation strategy has been presented. This strategy begins with the first "building block" necessary to bring the issues and needs of seniors to the attention of the entire community. The members of the original Seniors' Centre Steering Committee should be thanked for their dedication and commitment to the completion of the Feasibility Study. This group, for all intents and purposes, is the forerunner of the Seniors' Community Action Committee that has been proposed for this Municipality. The experience, knowledge and interest of these individuals will ensure the success of any initiative that they undertake on behalf of this Municipality. 5.3 The second "building block" is the establishment of an interim Seniors' Centre as an short- term resolve to the question of facilities, services and programs for seniors. This operation would provide the Municipality with an effective vehicle through which community interest, awareness and support can be developed and nurtured well in advance of the implementation of the long -term strategy. 5.4 Finally, the third "building block" is the pre- construction siting and eventual construction of the Seniors' Activity Centre. The first two "building blocks" will contribute significantly to ./6 REPORT CS -24 -93 - 6 - SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 the achievement of this final stage. The Feasibility Study supports the concept of public ownership of the Seniors' Centre but it in no way refutes the potential to develop a public - private partnership to offset the financial impact to the Municipality. 5.5 In recognition of the support and participation of the Seniors' Centre Steering Committee, an overview of this report was briefly discussed with Mr. Glenn Prout (Committee Chairman) and Mrs. Roxy Barnes (Committee Member representing Community Care). In light of the experiences and expertise of both these individuals in the area of senior's issues, it was important that they had an opportunity to make comment about the direction being proposed to Council. Both have agreed that, given the external factors that prohibit the construction of a Seniors' Activity Centre at this time, the proposed "Building Block" concept is the most appropriate route to follow. Respectfully submitted, Jose P. Caruana, Director D artment of Community Services JPC:JJC:dm ATTACHMENT #1 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE SENIOR CITIZEN'S CENTRE STEERING COMMITTEE NAME OF MEMBER ADDRESS 36 CONCESSION STREET EAST GLENN PROUT CHAIR) BOWMANVILLE, L1E 1Y1 COMMITTEE ROXY BARNES COMMUNITY CARE KING STREET WEST 98 BOWMANVILLE, L1C 1R4 4 WELLINGTON STREET JUNE CLARK BOWMANVILLE, L1C 1V1 GLORIA GRANT 39 -165 KING STREET EAST 1L5 NEWCASTLE, L1B JEAN MCKNIGHT 1719 DARLINGTON PARK ROAD COURTICE, L1E 2P7 SYLVIA SPICE C/o MEMORIAL HOSPITAL STREET SOUTH 47 LIBERTY BOWMANVILLE HAROLD RANSBERRY R.R. #2LOB 1M0 4280 MEARNS AVE, R.R. #4 DON WELSH BOWMANVILLE, L1C 3K5 NOTE: Members not listed above - Patti Barrie, Clerk - Jennifer Cooke, Recreation Superintendent