Rocky View County (RVC) is launching the process of developing the long-awaited Recreation and Culture Master Plan (RMP) with a workshop at the County office on Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
Once the master plan is completed and approved – which is expected by the end of this year - it will be used to guide council to identify where new recreational infrastructure should be located in the county, how to fund new projects and when projects will be implemented. RVC council approved the terms of reference for the plan on July 30, 2013.
“This document will be a high-level strategic planning guide the County can use moving forward to ensure they provide the best recreational and cultural services in a financially sustainable and responsible manner,” said RVC Communications Coordinator Anna Melnick.
“The high demand for recreation and culture funding makes it important to create a plan that effectively and efficiently spends tax dollars. We want to make sure the service we support or the facilities we build are balanced throughout the entire county,” said Melnick.
According to the terms of reference, the RMP will develop a one-to-five year transitional and sustainability plan, and a five-to-10 year and 10-to-20 year growth plan for recreational and cultural needs. It will also include a detailed map of what recreational amenities are being used in areas of the county.
The RMP will take into account other municipal documents including the County Plan, the Parks and Open Space Master Plan, the 2013 Census results and Area Structure Plans.
RVC Recreation Services Coordinator Dari Lang told council during the approval of the terms of reference for the RMP the document is greatly-needed as the County currently doesn’t have a policy or guideline to approve recreational funding requests.
The requests are evaluated based on how successful fundraising campaigns are, the amount of community support shown for the project, input from the County’s 10 regional recreation boards, and is left to council’s discretion for approval.
Melnick said in developing the plan, the County will look at partnerships with neighbouring communities and funding for new initiatives in the County as part of the many options to deliver programs to RVC residents.
Input to develop the master plan will be sought from residents, community boards, service providers and other key stakeholders, added Melnick.
The workshop being held at the County office is the only in-person public input session planned so far. The evening will consist of a brief introduction and overview of the project, followed by an open session to speak with County planners face-to-face.
Melnick said there will be opportunities for RVC residents to comment on the draft plan once it’s complete, but attending the workshop “is the best opportunity to contribute to what goes in that plan.”
“This workshop is a chance for us to explore all the possible ideas people have for recreation and cultural programs and services in RVC. We’re hoping to hear from young and old, athletes and couch potatoes, those who love sports and those who love culture,” she said, adding the County is hoping to identify what residents currently participate in and what they’d like to see available in the future.
“This can include everything from a community hall where they can play cards or have a knitting group or art class to a recreation centre where they can swim, workout or skate etc.,” Melnick said.
Residents are encouraged to RSVP for the workshop by contacting Sue Demeter at [email protected]
