By Gagandeep Ghuman
Published: March. 10, 2012
With tired old programs and equally hackneyed service delivery models, Brennan Park Recreation Centre feels like a “ghost town” with nothing going on there.
That is one among the many frightful ‘findings’ of the Recreation Core Service Report, released by the district last year.
The report paints a frank–and damning picture–of a recreation centre where old and insufficient programs need a desperate new breath of life.
The findings were reached after confidential interviews with citizens and independent reviews by the district.
One finding:
The district does not collect 50 per cent of campground revenue because of management loopholes.
Then, there are not enough spaces in the specific programs, mainly in aquatics. People find themselves on wait list for programs. Timing for programs does not meet current demand for parents that are working.
There is more.
The recreation service facilities are under-utilised, survey finds. The auditorium use rate is only 33 per cent, for junior lounge, it is 12 per cent, and for ice arena, it’s 60 per cent.
Residents expressed need for a “proper” and separate workout facility (gym, weight room) throughout the internal and external interviews.
The survey also found out the booking process is restricted to standard office hours, is cumbersome and not user friendly in terms of processes and forms.
Community input, report notes, is also limited, and only possible through council reports and motions.
The programing is also not inclusive of all age groups, and nor are the programs well-attended.
“Consistently the message received was one of mediocrity,” the review finds.
The review also finds problems with how information is shared, internally and with the public.
“Sharing of information internally does not happen in a fluid or consistent way,” it notes.
“Communication with the public happens in the same way it has done for the last 10 years with little integration of new technology. Before this review was undertaken more than 3000 data base of email addresses had never been used as a communication tool.”
The review recommends more programming in aquatics to decrease waitlists, splitting up the trails coordinator position and moving 50 per cent of the role and position to recreation service.
The review also calls upon the district to ensure adequate program support, reduce the use and dependence on casual employees, facilitate better communications, and enhance the marketing of programs offered currently.
Don Patrick says
This article is to the point. As one of the persons involved in the creation of the Ice Arena back in the late 70’s and being shut-out on the first vote, then by adding the Auditorium to the package on the second try to make the offering more attractive to other sports groups as the Tennis, Basketball, Badminton and the performing Arts …the efffort was successful and the town had a multi-facit premises…and what happened ? It cost more to clean the auditorium after a rental than the rental and so on. My groups had meetings as least twice a week from the 70’s til the 90’s then the potential liability claims conspiracy was introduced and the govenment of the day increased rents and made other demands that drove most potential tenants out of the building. The only way building a municipal funded building can make sense is if it is fully utilized and sometimes that takes a little future imagination and strong management… if this cannot be achieved then do not build the darn thing and waste tax dollars looking after a near vacant building for generations. The weights room was one of the suggestions prior to the pool being built as an another form of attraction to the user… but some people wanted to protect the commercial businesses offering the same service in the community even though they are different clientile, so big mistake… but only one of many over the last 15 or so years. Where are the Senior Citizens… what additional did it cost the community to move that crowd to another venue ? The only time the community centre has become useful is at voting time… and really has that changed anything ? Maybe more bus stops per hour would provide the necessary exposure or convenience to the citizens. Utilization provides many hidden benefits, not all produce revenue but it is still the responsibility of Govenment to increase the occupancy. Not my problem.
heather gee says
Instead of DoS paying for another expensive “study” with taxpayers’ money – I suggest a small group pay a visit to say four Vancouver recreation centres.
They buzz with activity and they have weight-rooms – sometimes three or four. They also do not have their temperatures turned up to 74-75F degrees when members are exercising – as does the Seniors’ Centre.
Christine Elliott says
Reminiscing from 11 years ago where I used to live in Pincher Creek AB.
http://www.pinchercreek.ca/residents/page.cfm?place=7
All recreational facilities are within walking distsance in the heart of the community. The ice skating arena had a state of the art pool, gym, library, meeting rooms built on. They could not afford the water slide but had the plans drawn up so it could be added at a later date. Now they have a beautiful skate park next to it. So many events are held there that bring visitors from all over. We had our Farmers Market along the grass with big Elm Trees. Excellent facility for a community of 7,000 people.