State of Recreation

TOWN OF CANMORE State of Recreation Final September 2016 TOWN OF CANMORE State of Recreation Final Table of Contents 1: Introduction 1 2: Community Context 3 Population Analysis 5 Growth Projections 7 Amenity Migration 7 3: Background Planning Review 8 Local Context 9 Town of Canmore Municipal Development Plan (2015) 9 Town of Canmore Strategic Plan 2016 – 2018 11 Town of Canmore Open Space and Trails Plan (2015) 12 Town of Canmore Recreation Services Policy (2015) 13 Town of Canmore Recreation Services User Fee Policy (2012) 14 Town of Canmore Facility Allocation Policy (2007) 15 Town of Canmore 2015 Living Wage Study 16 Regional Context 17 Snapshot of Bow Valley Non-Profits and Community Groups (Status Report 2015) 17 Bow Valley Immigration Partnership Integration Assessment 2014: Building A Welcoming Community 18 Bow Valley Immigration Partnership: 2015 – 2018 Integration Strategy 19 Town of Banff Recreation Programs and Services Master Plan (2015) 20 Town of Banff Recreation Facilities Master Plan (2013) 21 Provincial and National Context 22 Active Alberta Policy 22 A Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015: Pathways to Wellbeing 22 Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) 24 4: The Benefits of Recreation 25 National Benefits Hub 26 Table of Contents 5: Trends and Influences 29 Participation Trends 30 Physical Activity and Wellness Levels 30 Physical Activity Preferences 31 Balancing Structured and Spontaneous Uses 32 Flexibility and Adaptability 32 Barriers to Participation 32 Providing Recreation Opportunities (Service Delivery) 33 Partnerships 33 Community Development 33 Social Inclusion 33 Sport Tourism 34 Volunteerism 35 Infrastructure 36 Aging Infrastructure 36 Multi-Use Spaces 37 Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Environments 37 Ensuring Accessibility 37 Revenue-Generating Spaces 37 Social Amenities 38 Providing Quality Parks and Outdoor Spaces 38 6: Inventory 39 Public Recreation Infrastructure 40 Private and Non-Profit Service Providers 43 Banff National Park 43 7: Utilization 44 Arenas 45 Elevation Place 46 Canmore Tennis 47 Trails 48 Indoor Walking 48 Meeting Rooms 48 Table of Contents 8: Service Delivery 50 9: Municipal Benchmarking 52 Service Delivery Comparison 53 Inventory Comparison 57 Outdoor Inventory 57 Outdoor Provision Ratios 57 Indoor Inventory 58 Indoor Provision Ratios 59 Benchmarking Conclusions 59 10: Consultation 60 Resident Household Survey and Online Survey 61 Community Group Questionnaire 77 Stakeholder Interviews/Discussions 82 Student Survey 84 11: Summary and Conclusions 90 Summary 91 Preliminary Infrastructure Priorities 93 Outdoor Priorities 94 Indoor Priorities 95 Appendices A: Resident Household Survey Tool 96 B: Community Group Questionnaire: Participants 104 C: Discussion Session Participating Groups and Organizations 106 D: Recreation Inventory 109 Infrastructure 110 Replacement Costs 114 Private and Non-Profit Service Providers 116 Banff National Park 117 1 Introduction 1 The Town of Canmore initiated the development of a This “State of Recreation Report” presents the detailed Recreation Master Plan in the fall of 2015 to provide an findings from research and consultation. Key findings overall framework to help guide the future delivery of emanating from the research and consultation as well recreation services and infrastructure. The Town currently as preliminary infrastructure priorities (indoor and provides recreational opportunities through a combination outdoor) are also identified for further consideration of direct and indirect provision. The development of in the development of a Recreation Master Plan for the a Master Plan enables the Town to assess the current Town of Canmore. situation and to develop strategies to sustain strengths and enhance gaps. Comprehensive research and consultation were identified as being critical to the development of the Master Plan. The graphic below illustrates the process used to gather research and community input; this information influences Master Plan recommendations. As reflected in the graphic, a number of research and consultation mechanisms were used in the development of the strategic directions and priorities. PHASE 1 PHASE 2 PHASE 3 PHASE 4 Background Public Analysis and Implementation Information Engagement Recommendations Project Initiation Meeting Community Event Strategic Planning Public Review Event Community Description Attendance Session(s) with Project Web Review Survey Steering Committee Policy and Background Project Steering Implementation Plan Committee Workshop Philosophical Foundation Planning Review Final Master Plan Comparative Research Household Mail-out Management Tools and Web Survey and Guidelines Final Presentation Recreation Trends (Service Delivery, Promotions Analysis Stakeholder Interviews and Marketing, Classification, Partnering, etc.) Population and Stakeholder Group Survey Demographics Analysis State of Future Program Emphasis Indoor Facility Inventory Recreation Report Project Prioritization and Assessment Framework Outdoor Facility Inventory Future Indoor Priorities and Assessment Future Outdoor Priorities Program and Service Financial Impacts and Delivery Assessment Funding Strategy Conclusion Draft Master Plan Project Steering Committee Workshop Council Workshop 2 Community 2 Context 3 A community of over 13,000 permanent residents,1 In terms of employment, just over half (51%) work full Canmore is located in the Bow Valley approximately time while 15% are retired. Eight percent work part 100 km west of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway time2. Accommodation/food/tourism is the most common (Highway 1). Canmore is also approximately 10 km type of industry employment accounting for 16% of the east of the entrance to Banff National Park and population. Construction (9%); health and wellness (8%); approximately 22 km from the Banff townsite. professional services (8%); and retail/wholesale (7%) Canmore is nestled in the Rocky Mountains and offers account for the major areas of employment. Of interest its residents and visitors all the scenery and outdoor to note is that 46 individuals (0.5%) cited their type of pursuits that accompany this setting. employment as professional athlete. Like many Alberta communities, Canmore received The Town commissioned a living wage study in August 2015. its name from an employee of the Canadian Pacific The study concluded that the wage rate and associated Railway who named the community after a Scottish income levels are sufficiently high that households do not town. Coal mining may be considered the first industry qualify for several subsidies and credits meant to target in Canmore with the first mine opening in 1887. The the working poor. Because expenses are relatively high in North-West Mounted Police built a barracks in 1890. Canmore there are households struggling to get by. Several other coal mines sprung up in the area but these began closing in the early twentieth century. In Canmore is a diverse community. It includes long-term 1979 Canmore Mines Ltd. closed. In 1965 Canmore was residents who have lived in the community since Canmore incorporated as a town. The 1988 Winter Olympics was a mining town as well as those who own vacation helped generate a renaissance in Canmore, which has properties in the community and whose primary residence since become a centre for recreational tourism. Since is outside of Canada. There is a significant immigrant the 1988 Olympics, Canmore has also experienced population in Canmore as well—17% of Canmore residents 3 significant population growth, tripling in size. As are immigrants . Considering the permanent population, well, since the Olympics, Canmore has experienced 52% own their home while 30% rent (the balance included significant population growth, tripling in size. prefer not to answer and other). For the non permanent population, 62% own their home and 9% rent (the Aside from outdoor recreation, Canmore offers a variety of balance preferred not to answer or identified other). indoor recreational opportunities including Elevation Place and the Canmore Recreation Centre facilities. Elevation Place includes an aquatic centre, cardio and weight room, meeting rooms, and an indoor climbing gym. Also in the facility are the Canmore Public Library and the Canmore Art Guild Gallery. Canmore’s active cultural scene has recently been enhanced by the addition of artsPlace— a hub for artists and the general public to create, connect, and showcase or enjoy performances and exhibitions. Canmore offers a full range of health services including a 72-bed hospital. Three jurisdictions serve the educational needs of the community’s youth—the Canadian Rockies Public Schools, Christ the Redeemer Catholic School, and Conseil scolaire FrancoSud. Bow Valley College provides continuing education for adults. 2 13% preferred not to answer. 2014 Municipal Census Report. 1 2014 Municipal Census. The census report identifies 3,890 people that form the non-permanent population. 3 Bow Valley Settlement Services 2014. 4 Population Canmore Population 20,000 Analysis Permanent Non-Permanent The Town of Canmore completed 18,000 a municipal census in 2014. The information presented herein (unless otherwise stated) comes 16,000 from the 2014 Census Report. As illustrated in the adjacent chart, 14,000 Canmore has continued to grow over the past decade and a half. Its 2014 population of 16,967 12,000 represents an average annual growth of 2.6% since 2000. 10,000 The numbers of permanent residents has steadily climbed while the non-permananet resident 8,000 population

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