This is your chance to have a say in the future of our parks and recreation facilities, Wednesday evening at the Bayshore.
The City of Owen Sound has retained MHBC Planning Limited to undertake the Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan Update.
The study will get underway with a Public Open House on September 27, 2017 in the Bay Room at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The Open House will provide key background information and provide the first opportunity for public input. Attendance by the public and stakeholders is strongly encouraged.
"Changing trends in recreation impacts how we as a community are using parks and facilities", stated Pamela Coulter, the City's Director of Community Services. "We are looking forward to an updated plan that will help guide the planning for recreation, parks and facilities for the community in both the short and long term."
The scope of the study will include:
A complete review of the existing Recreation, Parks and Facilities Master Plan with a focus on aligning this with the City's new Strategic Plan;financial sustainability; and an analysis of the current and future needs of the City to determine if the parks and facilities are meeting the needs of residents and users today and into the future.
The update was requested by Council through Service Review. The original Parks, Recreation and Facilities Master Plan was completed in 2007 and has seen several initiatives successfully implemented such as the construction of the Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre in partnership with the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey-Bruce.
The update will rely heavily on feedback from the community and stakeholders throughout the process. Following the public open house, the City will launch an online survey seeking feedback. The survey will be available after September 27, 2017 at www.owensound.ca/haveyoursay.
Printed copies of the survey will be available for pick up and return at Service Owen Sound, located in Suite 24 of the Professional Centre, Bayshore Community Centre and Julie McArthur Regional Recreation Centre.
MHBC Planning Limited will be led by Dave Aston who has extensive experience in a range of planning and significant local knowledge.
More information relating to the project can be obtained at www.owensound.ca/haveyoursay.
