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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-11-89TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT File 01 ., 101 Res. # i Z. 0q ��J By -Law # MEETING: GENERAL PURPOSE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE DATE: April 17, 1989 REPORT #: CS -11 -89 FILE #: RECOMMENDATIONS: RECREATION MASTER PLAN - UPDATE It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose & Administration Committee recommend to Councl the afollowing :- 1. That Report No. CS -11 -89 be received; 2. That staff be authorized to prepare Terms of Reference for the Recreation Master Plan Update; and 3. That staff report back to the General Purpose and Administration Committee for their input with respect to the Terms of Reference forthe orwarded to the 4. That a copy of Report No. CS-11-89 b N.C.S.A.B. for information. BACKGROUND & C01"B"� S: At the April 3 meeting of the General Purpose and Administration Committee, enquiries were made of staff with respect of the Recreation Master Plan. It is staff's intent, with the approval of Council, that an update of the Master Plan be conducted during the current year 1989. The existing document was presented and endorsed in principle in of 1983 projecting a five (5) year implementation period, at which point an update or revision of the initial plan should occur. 913 .../2 GENERAL PURPOSE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE PAGE 2. REPORT NO. CS -11 -89 Subsequent to approval of Report No. CS -11 -89 Community Services staff will prepare Terms of Reference for the study, requesting involvement from the Newcastle Community Services Advisory Board, at which point, a report will be forwarded to Council with the intent of reviewing the guidelines and receiving input from members of Council as to the specific Terms of Reference for the study. At this point, the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation has not announced its grant programs for the current year, however an announcement is expected in May of 1989. The most recent program (Attachment #1) allowed for 50% funding to Municipalities with populations over 5,000 under the guidelines of the Community Recreation Planning Grant Program. Preliminary indications through the Ministry Office have suggested the possibility of increased funding in the Recreation Planning area however, official notification is pending. Funds to conduct this study have been provided in the Community Services Department's 1989 budget. As the Town experiences its rapid rate of development, it is imperative that staff have in place the necessary information to deal effectively with the expanding needs of our community pertaining to the recreation delivery system. This study will allow staff to prepare for the future trends of our Municipality, assuring that the needs of our residents will be met. 914 Overview INdat are the aims of this program? What is recreation planning? Community Recreation Planning Program 1988 -89 Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation Does your municipality or organization face difficult tasks in the next decade? Does your community want to make better decisions? You may be able to benefit from the Community Recreation Planning Program. Community- responsive and financially - responsible recreation services are important to Ontarians. In order to encourage the development of improved community services, innovative recreation planning activities are assisted by the Community Recreation Planning Program. This program supports efforts by Ontario municipalities and community organizations to improve their efficiency and effectiveness through The objective of the Community Recreation Planning Program is to increase the effectiveness Ofconununity recreation services in Ontario. it aims to assist municipalities and organizations to plan for: • Better responses to community needs. • More effective delivery of recreation services. • Greater co- operation and co- ordination. • The best use of community resources. • The needs of special groups such as the disabled, older adults, youth and women. The Community Recreation Planning Program aims to increase the effectiveness of recreation services by encouraging the alteration, renewal and integration of existing services and the co- operative development of future services. It is intended to support planning activities that, Without its financial assistance, could not proceed. The Community Recreation Planning Program is meant to support planning activities that place emphasis on: • Community involvement — the active participation of organizations and individuals Planning helps people to communicate about recreation services. Planning can aid members of your commnunity in reaching a shared understanding of the facts and their feelings abort those facts concerning recreation. Then a realistic decision can be made on which of several choices will benefit your community most. Recreation planning is a probleni- solving process. 915 ATTACHMENT #1 increased co- operation and co- ordination. The program supports planning activities that provide decision - makers with better information about needs and resources. Financial assistance from the Community Recreation Planning Program is available to share the costs of obtaining professional expertise to help plan the future development of recreation services. This guide contains important information about this program. Further information is available from your local office of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Recreation. throughout your community is important in planning effective recreation services. • Co- operation and co- ordination — all community organizations and agencies who provide recreation services need to plan together. • Focus on action — planning leads to action because it helps your community to make decisions. • Innovation — the Community Recreation Planning Program encourages the use of new problem- solving approaches such as the integration of local and non -local uses of facilities and programs where effective and suitable. • Affordability — the benefits of improvements to recreation services must be weighed against their immediate and long -term costs in order to make responsible decisions. It involves setting goals and then examining how available physical, financial and human resources can be best used to reach those goals. The techniques and methods used must fit your situation. Planning is building your community's understanding of recreation services in order to determine the best course of action in the future. Who may apply? Whatprojects will be considered? Municipalities, incorporated non- profit organizations, Indian band councils or local service boards may apply for Community Recreation Planning Program financial assistance *. Non - profit organizations must have been incorporated at least one year prior to Planning studies of interest to the Community Recreation Planning Program fall into three broad areas: • Recreation plans — broad future- oriented reviews of community recreation services, usually under the leadership of the municipality, that involve all community recreation service providers. • Feasibility studies — detailed examination of a specific need or issue, usually facility- related, that identifies the costs and benefits of several alternative courses of action. • Operational reviews — reviews of specific existing recreation services identify ways to What is the funding formula? The Community Recreation Planning Program contributes up to a maximum of 50% of the costs of eligible planning studies in communities over 5,000 in population and up to a maximum of 75 % in communities of 5,000 or less population. Eligible expenditures to he shared include the cost • Consulting fines. • Short -term staff members. • Report presentation and printing which are How do you apply? 91.6 application. A resolution by the applicant organization approving the undertaking of the project and the application for the Community Recreation Planning Program must be provided. *Note: School boards in unorganized territories are eligible. improve the efficiency and effectiveness of facility operations. The following activities are not eligible for support by the Community Recreation Planning Program. Site boundary and topographic surveys, detailed engineering investigations, preliminary architectural drawings, working drawings and specifications, the development of Official Plan policies or Official Plan amendments, and any planning study that does not have recreation as its focus. necessary for the effective communication of the study results. Note: donated labour is not eligible to be considered as part of the total costs of the planning study. Application must be received )f: and accepted as complete by the Ministry on or prior to January 31. Upon approval of the project, the provincial grant will be paid in full. Financial assistance for recreation planning studies is obtained via the process outlined below. Please note that the financial assistance is limited to recreation planning activities that are described in this guide. Also, that assistance is subject to the availability of funds. 1. Need for planning You identify critical issues and determine that planning may lead to effective action. Your Ministry consultant will be able to help in this pre - planning process. 2. Definition of study Discuss with )'our Ministry consultant the scope and content of the proposed study-and develop mutually- agreeable terms of reference for the study. 3. Application You prepare and your Ministry consultant accepts, ,is complete, the application form, including the 4. Decision The Minister of Tourism and Recreation examines the merits of your request and informs you of his decision with regard to your proposed study. This is an outline of the steps in the planning process that relate to financial assistance from the Community Recreation Planning Program. For assistance in other steps such as setting up the study team, writing the terms of reference, Selecting,( consultant, obtaining community input, implementation strategies and other concerns, rely on your Ministry consultant. Three copies of each of the draft and final planning study reports must be provided to the \linist v.