Banff’s Get Out Youth program looks set to expand on a trial basis to meet recent growth in the number of students taking advantage of the supervised drop-in program.
Banff’s finance committee has given the green light for a new position – at a cost of $15,200, including salary and benefits – to be included in the 2014 operating budget to help with expansion of the popular Friday night program.
Town of Banff officials say one idea is to run the program weekdays after school from 3-6 p.m., but there is flexibility and they will meet with students in the new year to determine their needs.
“It’s a very popular program and we’re seeing between 45 and 50 students on Friday nights,” said Mary Brewster, Banff’s Community Services manager. “We do need to expand staffing so we have a better supervision ratio.”
Get Out is a drop-in activity night on Fridays from 7-10 p.m., offering a fun and safe place for Grade 7 to 9 students to recreate, socialize and play a variety of non-competitive sports.
There’s little opportunity weekdays after school for students not taking part in formal recreation and sport programming to socialize, shoot hoops, do homework or participate in events and activities planned with their input.
Studies have shown that students attending youth recreation programs are more likely to be engaged in school, more attentive in class and less likely to become involved in negative, anti-social behaviours.
The finance committee, which is made up entirely of council, gave the green light to the request on a one-year trial basis, but council will make a final decision during budget deliberations in January.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said she’s keen to see expansion of the program on a trial basis next year, which will give staff time to determine the participation rates before 2015 budget discussions.
“They definitely need a second staff person with the numbers they are seeing on Friday nights,” she said.
The program is very popular with Banff’s Filipino community.
“Our temporary foreign workers are now in a position to be bringing their families to our community and this type of programming is an opportunity for student and community engagement,” said Sorensen.
“If the children of temporary foreign workers feel welcomed, then it makes the quality of life for families significantly better. This type of programming is also an investment in our industry and, therefore, our economy.”
The finance committee has also approved a funding request from administration of $6,000 to support track setting for cross-country ski trails on Tunnel Mountain.
In early 2013, the Town received a donation of equipment and operational funds from the Western Canada Ski Foundation to support track setting for the annual Lake Louise to Banff Loppet and the Mountain Madness race.
Shortly after that, the Association for Mountain Parks Protection and Enjoyment (AMPPE) negotiated access to a portion of the Tunnel Mountain Campground with Parks Canada for cross-country skiing.
The vision was to utilize the donated equipment and volunteers to set and maintain trails at the campground, but volunteers have since found they need more funding to offset costs for equipment maintenance, fuel, and repairs associated with additional grooming.
Sorensen said the $6,000 is money well spent.
“Banff Lake Louise is very focused currently on the winter product and we are very lucky to have a group of volunteers to undertake the work at Tunnel Mountain,” she said.
“This is a really great recreational opportunity that is very close to home, that not only residents will enjoy, but visitors will also enjoy.”
