ANTIGONISH – The future of recreation, including an appraisal of existing facilities and their use, along with a needs assessment, was the central theme of a more than two-hour presentation during a recent joint meeting of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish and Town of Antigonish councils.
Agamani Chakrabarty of ASBB Economics and Research Ltd. – the company tabbed to carry out the study – outlined the process and findings Oct. 26 at the StFX Keating Centre conference rooms.
The information-gathering process included eight engagement sessions in the town and county, while 44 groups completed a community organization survey and approximately 700 people responded to an online survey.
Chakrabarty explained the importance of having memorandums of understanding with organizations, such as StFX and the Strait Regional Centre for Education, regarding use of their facilities. As part of an allocation policy, she also outlined the need for central tracking of hours, rates and bookings.
Some of the central themes included findings and survey responses related to barriers such as affordability, inclusion, transportation and rural access, especially for seniors, to programs and facilities.
Chakrabarty described a “huge constraint” in delivering programming is not owning spaces, but accessing facilities.
When it comes to survey findings, more than 71 per cent of respondents indicated the need for a new multi-use recreation space.
As for youth respondents, Chakrabarty noted the need for a place to hang out, which would especially help fill a “big gap” from 3:30 to 5 or 6 p.m. She added that everyone is not involved in organized sports; some indicated the desire for a place where they can participate in unstructured play.
She also pointed out that respondents talked about it being harder to access opportunities in the winter months, when outdoor areas are closed.
Councillor Patrick McKenna echoed that sentiment, offering how providing year-round access to outdoor spaces would greatly increase recreation options.
Chakrabarty said the focus should be on “upgrading rather than building new,” when it comes to town and county recreation facilities.
She also outlined a phased-in 10-year plan, which includes a tiered list of priorities over that time period.
Councillor McKenna suggested there are “too many high priorities.”
Marlene Melanson – county recreation director – indicated that “there is enough work for many, many years” defined in the report. As for how things could unfold moving forward, she suggested staff make recommendations to their respective councils on yearly priorities.
“I think that we are sitting well in terms of recreation,” Councillor Sterling Garvie (District 10) offered during the discussion.
Councillor Richelle MacLaughlin (District 3) described the report’s findings as “important information” – not only for balancing municipal budgets, but also recruiting and attracting people “to live here.” She noted, for example, “one of the big things” prospective health-care professionals ask about is available recreation opportunities.
Councillor Leon MacLellan noted how the town and county benefit from having access to facilities such as the ones located on the StFX campus.
“Costs are minimal compared to running them,” he explained of paying fees, hiring staff and associated costs, noting the neighbouring municipalities would be “far better off” by expanding use of existing facilities.
Councillor Adam Baden-Clay (District 2) praised the “tremendous amount of work” not only put into the report, but also the effort of municipal staffs and volunteers throughout the process, noting the presence of residents who were a part of People for an Antigonish Recreation Centre (PARC).
PARC helped plant the seeds for the process, which evolved into the recreation study, a couple of years ago. They started the call for improved recreation spaces, if not the need for a new facility for town and county residents. PARC, which initially intended to ask for municipal funding to help finance a feasibility study for constructing one, decided – after discussions with municipal officials – to come on board with carrying out a needs assessment.
Noting we are “getting quite a bit of bang for our buck as it is,” Baden-Clay suggested “we need to put some money and time into this,” when it comes to the report and its findings.
After the presentation, Mayor Sean Cameron and Warden Nicholas MacInnis provided The Journal with comments on the report, including what happens next in the process.
“What stood out to me is that this report isn’t about building more for the sake of building more. One of the primary concerns we hear regularly from the community is that we need better access to the spaces we already have. The recommendations touch on this. It’s about working smarter together, strengthening partnerships, and getting the most out of our existing facilities,” Cameron said.
He added, “I’m looking forward to discussing the report and the 10 core recommendations around our council table. If approved by both councils, this report will provide a strong framework to guide recreation planning for years to come that will benefit our residents.”
MacInnis credited the consultants for doing a “thorough job presenting the findings of the recreation needs assessment.”
“This report gives us a valuable roadmap for recreation in our communities, identifying immediate, medium- and long-term priorities to help guide future decisions. It provides a strong foundation for planning ahead and ensuring our recreation spaces continue to meet the needs of residents across the county,” he said.
