GRANDE PRAIRIE AREA Joint Recreation Master Plan Final September 2016 Theresa Haynes GRANDE PRAIRIE AREA Joint Recreation Master Plan Final September 2016 Acknowledgments Great communities are built through active citizen Joint County-City Recreation Committee involvement and engagement in planning and public • Reeve Leanne Beaupre (County) service provision. Thank you to all of those who were engaged in the Recreation Master Plan process. • Councillor Corey Beck (County) • Councillor Harold Bulford (County) More specifically, thanks go out to: • Councillor Daryl Beeston (County) • Residents of the Grande Prairie area for participating • CAO Bill Rogan (County) in the household surveys and public events. • Mayor Bill Given (City) • Members of City and County Council and administration who participated in interviews and meetings. • Councillor Lorne Radbourne (City) • Representatives (elected officials and administrators) • Councillor Kevin McLean (City) from municipalities in the region who participated in • Councillor Rory Tarant (City) interviews and meetings. • CAO Greg Scerbak (City) • Representatives of volunteer groups and recreation and parks stakeholders who answered questionnaires Working Group and attended meetings to discuss their needs. • Arlen Miller (County) • All other key stakeholders who provided information and attended meetings when asked. • Megan Schur (County) Special thanks go to the Joint County-City Recreation • Jenn Rubuliak (County) Committee, the project Working Group and the project • Tracy Archibald (County) liaison who provided advice, information, support, • Garry Roth (City) and opinions; who recognized the importance of investing in long range planning; and who displayed • Kylee Haining (City) the fortitude to make decisions in the best interest • Morgan Reid (City) of the region. • Jennifer MacAlister (City) • Karna Germsheid (Grande Prairie Sport Council) Executive Summary The Grande Prairie Area Joint Recreation Master Plan has been developed through the efforts of a variety of stakeholders. Many residents and groups provided integral input during the planning process; a process that was guided by both elected officials and administrators from the County of Grande Prairie Community Input and the City of Grande Prairie. Aside from public and • Household survey stakeholder input, a variety of other research was • Interviews with key stakeholders considered in the development of the Plan, including, • Public events and open pouses but not limited to, review of trends and population, • Community group durvey comparison to other jurisdictions, and analysis and • Student survey assessment of existing facilities. The Plan has also been developed in alignment with the broader Plan Review Population and Demographics What relevant information is How will the existing and potential recreation planning of the Province of Alberta and of included in Provincial and Municipal future populations in the region impact national recreation organizations to create stronger planning documents? the need for recreation services? connections to other levels of government and create solidarity in service provision beyond area boundaries. Joint Recreation This Master Plan is written to help guide the City, Master Plan County and other municipalities in the area in decision- making related to publicly supported recreation facilities and programs. It outlines key directions for Inventory and Utilization Municipal Input How well are regional facilities Interviews and surveys with independent municipalities to take with regard to and spaces being used? municipal stakeholders. recreation spending. More importantly, it suggests ways that all municipalities in the area can work Trends and Issues What trends and issues are there in the together to optimize resources and enhance the value provision of recreation services? of recreation in the entire region. I When surveyed, 98% of households in Grande Prairie and area somewhat or strongly agreed that recreation is very important to residents’ quality of life. Survey Broader Municipal Planning results also indicated residents understanding of in the Grande Prairie Area recreation services and facilities as justifiable public expenses and worthy of future enhancement and focus. Recreation Master Plan: Vision The local municipalities believe that public recreation services The Plan establishes a common basis from which enable the development of communities in which everyone is engaged all stakeholders can work both independently and in meaningful and accessible recreation experiences that foster individual wellbeing, community wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our natural together. It outlines a vision, goals and service and built environments. outcomes to guide collective efforts in recreation services and facilities, which the majority of residents regard as justifiable public expenses and worthy of future enhancement and focus. Goal #1: Individual Health Goal #2: Community Health Goal #3: The Health and With a well-articulated foundation for recreation and Wellness and Wellness Wellness of our Environments services and facilities in place, the Plan then outlines Local municipalities will use recreation Local municipalities will use recreation Local municipalities will deliver healthy services to foster the health and wellbeing services as a vehicle to build community environments as a core public good recommendations for recreation service delivery, of citizens. Local municipalities will focus health and wellness, spirit, and culture. to support active, healthy citizens programming and opportunities for programming, on using recreation services as a vehicle Local municipalities will focus on using and communities within the and infrastructure, including how to plan, design and for individual citizen growth. such services as a community Grande Prairie Area. operate both indoor and outdoor facilities and spaces development vehicle. in which recreation can occur. Key recommendations related to service delivery Service Outcomes Service Outcomes Service Outcomes include the formation of a regional advisory group to steward the Master Plan and provide advice and 1. All citizens have a basic level of tness and wellbeing. 8. Special events and celebrations connect 16. All local citizens relate to and understand 2. All pre-schoolers have basic skills in a range of pursuits. citizens of the Grande Prairie area. their relationship with the environment and guidance to local municipalities throughout the the implications of their impact on it. 3. All children and youth have basic skills in a range 9. Local community groups thrive in area. This group may consist of representatives from of pursuits. the Grande Prairie area. 17. Local natural resources are protected and nurtured. beyond the City and County but, at a minimum, should 4. All adults have basic skills in a variety of pursuits. 10. Spectators celebrate their community during 18. Our communities are beautiful. local sporting events. involve these two key public recreation providers. 5. All seniors feel continued relevance and inclusion. 19. Our facilities are of the highest quality Guidelines are provided as to what resources should 11. Social interaction connects citizens in the and are sustainable. 6. Advanced level skill development is available Grande Prairie area. be considered regional, or that could become for some pursuits. 12. All citizens of the Grande Prairie area the purview of the regional advisory group, and 7. Healthy opportunities exist for teens feel included and welcome. to develop in a social setting. which should remain local. It also explores ways in 13. A strong base of volunteers helps which responsibility for regional resources could to build our communities. be apportioned. That said, a key next step in the 14. Sport and cultural tourism brings people to the Grande Prairie area. implementation of the Plan is to confirm and refine the 15. Families are supported to recreate as a unit. ideas around regional resources and responsibilities with the appropriate representatives. Service Delivery and Plan Recommendations Enhanced Benet from Recreation Throughout the Area II Other key service delivery recommendations include enhancing the support made Overall, how satisfied are you with the availability available to valuable volunteers and non-profit groups that provide recreation opportunities for residents. As well, the Plan outlines ways to bolster promotions and of recreation opportunities and services currently marketing efforts, both independently and collectively, to ensure residents and visitors offered in the Grande Prairie area? are aware of opportunities and of the benefits associated with participation in them. 60% Strategic directions related to programming and opportunities focus on developing an ongoing needs assessment/community dialogue process where resident 55% preferences for different types of activities can be identified and local trends observed and documented. The current multifaceted approach to programming, including a combination of public, private and non-profit sector involvement, is garnering high levels of resident satisfaction while leveraging public funds; major 50% changes to this structure are not recommended. As it relates to recreation infrastructure, the Plan outlines a high-level strategic direction for a variety of indoor and outdoor amenities; this direction is pertinent to both regional and local resources and is valuable from an independent and collective municipal perspective.