Area Cultural & Recreation Master Plan -- Seguin Township

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Receipt of the Draft Parry Sound Area Culture & Recreation Master Plan

The Parry Sound Area Culture and Recreation Master Plan, produced by dmA Planning and Management Services, has been received by the Municipality of McDougall, Town of Parry Sound, and Seguin Township Councils. The study is now available to thc public.

'It is important to realize that this Culture and Recreation Master Plan is way beyond a facility based plan. Additionally, there was an attempt to address the importance of culture and recreation as a link to the economic and social well being of our community. Specific initiatives such as programming, staffing, facility development and coordination amongst all municipal partners were considered' says James A. Beatty, the Regional Economic Development Advisory Committee (REDAC) Chair. Both REDAC and the Culture & Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee were responsible for overseeing the Master Plan process.

The project scope called for local and regional recommendations for the short, medium and long term. However, local recommendations were only made for the Town of Parry Sound. Wendy Donovan of dmA Planning and Management Services commented that any local initiatives which would have been recommended for the Municipality of McDougall and Seguin Township were already underway. Further, public consultations revealed a strong desire for regionally based culture and recreation services. As such, focus was appropriately given to regional recommendations.

A desire for an area indoor aquatic facility/recreational complex was also noted during the public consultation process. The Culture and Recreation Master Plan recommends that the community conduct a feasibility study. The feasibility study should investigate consumer demand, facility components, site assessment, management, and financial feasibility.

'I think all municipalities in the Parry Sound Area Development Community share a common value in realizing the importance of culture and recreation', comments James A. Beatty. 'The key to a coordinated approach requires constant dialogue, respect, flexibility and a single minded determination to achieve outcomes.'

The study is available on each of the municipal websites (see links following this release) or by contacting Nicole Sullivan, Area Economic Development Coordinator (705) 746-2101 nsulhivan@townofparrysound.com

Parry Sound Area Cultural & Recreation Master Plan
Parry Sound Area Cultural & Recreation Master Plan Appendices

Background Information on the Master Plan Development Process

The Township of Seguin, the Municipality of McDougall, and the Town of Parry Sound are developing a joint Cultural and Recreation Master Plan.

The Plan will guide the three municipal Councils andStaff in decisions recreation and culture services over the next ten years -both at the regional and local levels.

Terms of Reference
West Parry Sound Area Cultural and Recreation Master Plan

Background/ Introduction
In 2006, the Municipalities of the West Parry Sound Area identified three major gaps in their communities' overall development which needed to be addressed in order to increase the quality of life of their residents, ensure overall community sustainability, and economic advancement in the Area. First, the Municipalities acknowledged the need to establish a new Cultural and Recreational Master Plan which would address adequately the needs of the Area residents and tourists. Second, the Municipalities joined a provincially driven trend for municipal development advocating that well identified and mapped arts, cultural and heritage community assets ensure community sustainability and promote tourism and economic development in these communities. Third, the Municipalities acknowledged that the enhancement of their populations' overall health and well-being is dependant on a well developed, sustainable and properly managed consolidated recreational and leisure infrastructure base and program.

Upon further deliberations, the Councils of the West Parry Sound Area determined that an overall West Parry Sound Area Cultural and Recreational Master Plan based on identified key Areas of heritage, cultural, natural and recreational assets and attributes was required.

Purpose
The participating Municipalities solicited proposals for professional services (Consultant) to assist with the development of a thorough Area Cultural and Recreation Master Plan, which clearly identified the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for each of the participating municipalities and for the West Parry Sound Area as a whole.

The Plan is to provide a clear focus, based on data, interviewing, touring of the Area and taking into consideration the Area's cultural, historical and heritage make up, as well as its seasonal recreational and tourism activities, population health and well-being objectives, location, natural ecosystem, landscape and assets.

Project Objectives
The project objective is to develop an overall and comprehensive Cultural and Recreation Master Plan for the Area and for each of the Area municipalities that is action oriented, results driven and that integrates key tangible and intangible Area assets and people to: enhance overall community and economic advancement; enhance the cultural and recreational resources within the Area; and to improve local capacity to manage and sustain integrated cultural and recreational resources.

Thus, the anticipated outcomes of the project are:
- Review and development of a consolidated map of the existing heritage and cultural assets of the participating municipalities;
- Development of an inventory and assessment of all recreational assets of the participating municipalities;
- Identification of strengths and gaps, and prioritization of opportunities for cultural and recreational asset creation within the Area as a whole and within each of the individual Area municipalities through brainstorming sessions with community leaders, and sector participants;
- Identification of regional cultural and recreational strategies;
- Identification of local cultural and recreational strategies;
- Development of a strong community character and identity based on clear understanding of the cultural and heritage assets of the Area as a whole and of each of the Area municipalities;
- Enhancement of the overall health and well-being of the Area population based on increased and sustainable recreation and leisure opportunities in the Area as a whole and in each of the Area municipalities;
- Establishment of a Plan implementation monitoring and evaluation process through the identification of realistic performance indicators;
- Development of an action oriented, results driven, and measurable formal Cultural and Recreation Master Plan, including reasonable and do-able recommendations for specific actions.

Project Benefits
The development of a Cultural and Recreation Master Plan for the Area and each of the Area municipalities is expected to have long lasting social and economic benefits for the Area communities, such as:

Social benefits:
- Enhancement of the municipal partnership built upon common cultural heritage and providing the communities with a unified recreational base;
- Strengthening of existing and building of new social partnerships and working relationships centered on culture and recreation by encouraging residents, local clubs and organizations to become more involved in the planning and development of local cultural and recreational assets;
- Promotion of healthier life style and physical activity and increase in the overall quality of life of all communities' members through a series of recreational and leisure programs, activities and infrastructure development;
- Reduction in 'at-risk' behaviour by engaging youth in cultural and recreational activities;
- Creating a sense of belonging to a larger unique and healthy community built upon cultural and recreational assets;
- Enhancement of volunteer opportunities and participation in all communities driven by increase of cultural and recreation programs, activities and infrastructure.

Economic benefits:
- Higher level of Area community branding and marketing due to a stronger sense of community;
- Enhancement of community quality of life and place attracting more visitors, residents, and businesses into the Area;
- Sustainable cultural and recreational resources, fueled by entrepreneurship and innovation.

Project Stages

First, initial stage:
Establish a Project Steering Committee
- Convene initial meeting of the Project Steering Committee;
- Confirm planning process, deliverables, timelines and budget;
- Identify important stakeholders, such as community organizations and members, business interests, and government;
- Gather existing related Master Plans and other reference documents (i.e. Official Plans).

Second, assessment of existing cultural and recreational assets:
- Assess existing cultural and recreational assets through community focus groups from each participating municipality;
- Map existing arts, cultural, heritage and recreational assets, activities, organizations and facilities;
- Map community character, identity and overall physical and recreational patterns and activities;
- Utilize the West Parry Sound Area Geography Network system and tools during mapping exercises and data uploading;
- Identify gaps and opportunities for cultural and recreational assets improvement and development;
- Hold at least 1 Public Meeting for each of the cultural and recreational component assessments as part of the consultation process within each of the participating municipalities to gather adequate information and feedback.

Third, identification of cultural and recreational policy goals:
- Complete gaps and opportunities analysis;
- Confirm planning goals, objectives and key initiatives;
- Hold additional Public Meetings for each of the cultural and recreational component assessments if recommended by Consultant.

Fourth, recommendations for implementation of the Plan:
- Formulate strategies to implement goals, objectives and key initiatives;
- Prioritize actions;
- Create advertising campaign;
- Identify capital and operating costs for public facilities;
- Identify potential funding sources for implementation.

Fifth, finalization of the Plan:
- Prepare a Plan Draft;
- Seek Councils' approval in principal for the Plan Draft;
- Accumulate public feedback;
- Finalize report and publicize release;
- Seek final approval from Councils;
- Identify performance indicators;
- Ensure clear management structure to oversee the Plan implementation.

Public Participation
The development of a Cultural and Recreational Master Plan is an inclusive process. A Cultural and Recreation Steering Committee was formed to guide and oversee the process.

Public participation and support is essential for the successful development of a Cultural and Recreation Master Plan. To ensure that the public is well informed on the progress of the project and to engage the public focus group sessions and/or brainstorming exercises with leaders and members of various sectors of the communities within each of the participating municipalities is to be undertaken.

These groups should focus on evaluation of existing cultural and recreational assets within the Area and exploration of new opportunities within each sector for the Area as a whole and for each of the Area municipalities. Private sector representatives and businesses will be interviewed to develop a comprehensive and targeted industry perspective.

Additional recommendations for public and private sectors engagement in the process of Cultural and Recreational Master Plan development, based on the consultant's past experience of facilitating similar forums, is welcomed and encouraged.

Studies for Review
The consulting firm shall refer to documents, studies and initiatives previously prepared and undertaken by the participating municipalities. It will be necessary to maintain the connection of the Cultural and Recreational Master Plan's vision and priorities with these previous community documents to ensure the successful realization of the Plan's provisions in practice. The consultant will review, including, but not limited to, the following documents:
- Parry Sound, McDougall, and Seguin Economic Development Strategy: Partners in Economic Prosperity, 2006;
- 2006 Economic Development Strategy Implementation Plan;
- Town of Parry Sound Culture, Parks and Recreation Master Plan, 1993;
- The Humphrey Recreational Master Plan, 1991;
- Township of Seguin Recreational Needs Assessment, 2000;
- Accessibility Plans of each Participating Municipality.