REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: December 14, 2021 Report No. P&R-21-008
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Steve Knoke, Parks and Recreation Director
SUBJECT:
Title
Proposed Amendments to Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
1. Give first, second, and third readings to “Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665, Amendment Bylaw, 2021, No. 3551”.
2. Approve the Gorge Park Pavilion staffing plan as outlined in Staff Report P&R-21-008.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw No. 2665
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Healthy, Livable and Diverse Community:
• Enhance opportunities for Parks and Recreation
• Develop operational plans for new Gorge Park Pavilion in conjunction with public consultation
BACKGROUND:
Gorge Park Pavilion construction is scheduled for completion in early 2022. Public engagement over the summer resulted in a draft operational plan which includes proposed service levels and draft fees. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed and endorsed the draft operational plan, providing feedback and input on November 18th, 2021. The “Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665” (Appendix A) requires amendments to include new fees associated with Pavilion operation and Gorge Park access. This bylaw has not received a review since 2017. Staff will conduct a review of this bylaw in 2022.
ISSUES:
1. Rational For selected Option
Bylaw No. 2665 identifies approved operational principles that have been applied to develop the proposed Pavilion fee schedule (Appendix C) included in Amendment Bylaw No. 3051 (Appendix B). These principles provide a consistent application of fees for access to recreational facilities throughout the Township. The Pavilion rental fees proposed are based on a 12-hour (8 am - 8 pm) 355-day baseline service level. This core schedule can provide a maximum of 17,000 hours of annual accessible space to the community.
2. Organizational Implications
The Pavilion staffing plan and associated costs are outlined in Appendix D. This plan leverages existing and new departmental resources to provide Pavilion access and services to the community. This approach limits risk and provides flexibility in response to community needs. The 2022 staffing plan requires early budget approval to prepare the new Pavilion operations for public access.
3. Financial Implications
The proposed fees have been established through the Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw principals. The proposed service revenues of $262,000 and expenses of $328,000 will be included in the 2022 budget request. In its first year, Pavilion operations projects a subsidy of $66,000. This subsidy will be monitored and in future years may be reduced to breakeven levels for direct cost recovery. Failure to meet projected revenues may result in increased reliance on tax requisition.
Additional Gorge Park inventory will impact 2022 budget as new landscape will require additional maintenance resources. These funds are not included in this request and will be identified in the 2022 Parks budget request.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
126 solar power panels have been installed and will reduce the overall power use of the pavilion by 30%. These savings are reflected in the fee rates set for community access. Any revenues recovered from solar energy will be returned directly to the Pavilion to offset operating costs.
5. Communication & Engagement
Parks and Recreation staff used a comprehensive approach to survey residents on Pavilion use throughout the summer. We received 352 responses that provided guidance to staff for Pavilion use for programing, planning, and development.
ALTERNATIVES:
1) That Council
1. Give first, second, and third readings to “Parks and Recreation Regulation Bylaw, 2007, No. 2665, Amendment Bylaw, 2021, No. 3551”.
2. Approve the Gorge Park Pavilion staffing plan as outlined in Staff Report P&R-21-008.
2) That Council request further information from staff.
3) That Council provide alternate direction to staff.