Brockton’s recreation department is getting a new vision.
Consultants are being hired to determine, based on current needs and trends, how the Parks and Recreation Department will function in the future.
The new master plan will replace the pre-amalgamation plan of 1990 currently in place.
“I think council made a great decision,” Director of Recreation and Facilities Dan Wilken said, “it’s a very proactive step in the right direction.”
While he believes the 1990 plan will be used as a resource, Wilken said the new recreation master plan will have some fundamental differences.
“The new plan, I think, will be new and improved. The 1990 plan talks about the existing and future needs for parks and facilities, but now it’s so outdated,” said Wilken, “The new plan should address all of our rec needs for an amalgamated community; what we’re doing now and what we’ll need to do in the future. It should identify our parks and rec operations with a focus on sustainability. It should talk about demographics and look at the current trends, and be ready for the changes that might come along. It will also discuss our committees and help define everybody’s responsibilities.”
The Walkerton Parks and Recreation?Committee first began talking about creating a sustainability plan in 2008, Wilken said, but volunteers struggled due to the scope of the time and resources needed to compile a plan.
“In 2008, the resources weren’t available to do a master plan. It was thought volunteers could do most of the work and then work cooperatively with consultants, but volunteers can only go so far; the knowledge of a consultant can go a long way,” Wilken said, “They do this everyday, and can compare our plan to other municipalities. We need that professionalism and expertise as well.”
Requests for consultants will be sent out in the next few weeks, he added.
In a September 2008 presentation to council, Janine Dunlop of the Ministry of Health and Promotion estimated hiring a consulting firm to complete the master plan would cost between $50,000 and $60,000. However, Wilken believes some of the preliminary studies conducted by the Parks and Recreation Committee since 2008 will save the consultants time, and Brockton money.
“A lot was done already.?We’re hoping the work that’s been done and information that’s been gathered, such as taking inventory, will help the project consultants,” he said.
According to Wilken, a new recreation master plan goes hand-in-hand with the planning of a new multipurpose complex.
“The architects’ needs assessment is a big part of the building project. We don’t want to build a facility or components that we don’t need. We’re going to need to know what size of a building we need. The master plan and the needs analysis mesh together in that way. Our plan could identify programs we’ll need, and features to put into the facility itself,” he said, “I think we all agree we need a facility, it’s just a matter of what we’re going to put in it.”
The master plan’s significance to the planning of the new complex will make it an important project in the coming months, Wilken said.
He anticipates it will take six months to a year to produce the plan, depending on the information gathered. “In the summer months it might be a challenge to meet with some user groups, but that’s something our consultants can plan for.”
Wilken said he is interested in finding out how Brockton’s recreation department will look compared to other municipalities, but also sees the plan as a step towards a sustainability program for the entire community.
“The timing is perfect; the plan could be part of an integrated sustainability program that deals with the whole community,” he said.
“It’s a critical time, at least for the Parks and Recreation Department. It’s important that, once we have the plan, that we actually stick to it. It can’t just sit on the shelf,” he said, “I want to be certian we’re doing the right thing — not just the popular thing.”