The Town of Canmore plans on developing a recreation master plan this year that will provide direction for future delivery of recreation services over the next decade.
But while master plans of this type typically focus primarily on what is available within the community, this plan will also look at what is offered valley-wide by both public and private service providers, according to manager of recreation services Jim Younker.
“We are trying to get as big a picture as possible,” Younker told council at its last meeting before summer recess. “We are looking at how to provide the best recreational opportunities for our citizens without restriction.”
Recreation, he added, is not just capital infrastructure, but includes programs and services offered, as well as operational schedules. The finer nuances of recreation are proposed to be examined by the consultant selected for the $100,000 project, Younker said, like what types of recreation opportunities would fit with the community, trends and best practices, as well as analysis and recommendations.
“We want to make sure the plan looks at the nuances of that,” he said.
The last recreation master plan was completed in 2005 and the size and makeup of Canmore has changed since then, new facilities have been added and usage patterns changed. The project would use the 2005 plan as a foundation and update it. It will serve as a planning tool for council and administration over the next 10 years to plan the delivery of recreation services.
According to the terms of reference document approved by council, the master plan will include direction for future policies, long-range goals and initiatives and will allow the municipality to serve the community’s highest priorities. It is designed to be flexible, and focus on high-level initiatives rather than specific actions.
The ultimate goal is to define what the Town needs to do to ensure recreation services offered continue to enhance the quality of life for residents.
