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MINUTES - Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Advisory Committee - 20150917 TOWN OF AURORA PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Date: Thursday, September 17, 2015 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Michael Thompson (Chair), Councillor Tom Mrakas (Vice Chair), Juergen Daurer, Richard Doust, Stephen Kimmerer, Eric McCartney, and Brian Trussler Member(s) Absent: None Other Attendees: Allan Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services, Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary, and Samantha Yew, Council/Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Moved by Juergen Daurer Seconded by Councillor Mrakas THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved. CARRIED 3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2015 Moved by Richard Doust Seconded by Eric McCartney THAT the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 18, 2015, be received for information. CARRIED Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 17, 2015 Page 2 of 4 4. DELEGATIONS (a) Todd Brown, President/Principal Planner, Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, and Claire Tucker-Reid, President, Tucker-Reid & Associates Re: Item 1 – Memorandum from the Director of Parks & Recreation Services; Re: Sport Plan and Parks & Recreation Master Plan Mr. Brown informed the Committee that community engagement has been a large focus of the Sport Plan process, and that the launch event, held on September 8, 2015, was very successful. He advised that there is an online survey available to capture public opinions regarding Parks and Recreation, and a stakeholder survey that has gone out to sports groups asking for information about their organizations. Mr. Brown advised that there will be a number of consultations with the community once the draft Plan is completed in November, which will then be brought to the Committee, Council, and the community for feedback. He informed the Committee that the final Sport Plan will be presented for Council approval in January 2016. Ms. Tucker-Reid presented and discussed the strengths and challenges of key focus areas, specifically Leadership and the Sport Delivery system in Aurora, Sport Participants, Sport Promotion and Communications, Sport Tourism and Infrastructure Needs. The Committee agreed that there is good sport leadership in Aurora, as there are a large number of diverse sport groups and that many sport groups receive support from the Town, and from Council. However, they noted that there is no coordinated, ‘single voice’ amongst sport groups. The Committee also indicated that there is a need to sustain sport leadership within the community, and that sport leadership programs are often neglected and difficult to maintain and finance. The Committee identified partnerships and sponsorships as a challenge, as many sport groups seek sponsorships from the same organizations and businesses. They also noted the challenges to recruit, train, and retain volunteers. The Committee agreed that there could be better access to sport participation through a greater online presence, promotion, and better inclusion of groups such as people with disabilities, low income families, and seniors. The Committee noted that there are also many program gaps in organized sports, specifically certain age groups and gendered sports. The Committee identified the changing demographic as something that should be explored in the Sport Plan, as many of the new families that are moving to Aurora play different sports than those that are currently offered, and adaptability to these changes should be taken into consideration. The Committee also identified an opportunity to host low-cost sports in Town-owned parks and facilities to engage the community. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 17, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Sport tourism was noted as a challenge by the Committee and advised that it is difficult to attract sport tournaments as there is no hotel in Aurora. The Committee noted that there could be opportunities to promote the Town through tourist information packages that could be distributed to teams during sporting events along with website information. The Committee also indicated that there could be opportunities for partnerships with other municipalities and local businesses for larger tournaments. The Committee noted that many residents use walkways and trails year-round for walking and running, and that having year-round access and maintenance of these areas would benefit the community. The Chair encouraged members to pass the survey along to residents to complete, and the Committee suggested making paper copies of the survey available to seniors in as many ways as possible. Moved by Stephen Kimmerer Seconded by Juergen Daurer THAT the delegation by Todd Brown and Claire Tucker-Reid be received for information. CARRIED 5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION 1. Memorandum from Director of Parks & Recreation Services Re: Sport Plan and Parks & Recreation Master Plan Moved by Richard Doust Seconded by Juergen Daurer THAT the memorandum regarding Sport Plan and Parks & Recreation Master Plan be received; and THAT the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee’s roundtable discussion be considered by the consultants and staff in the development of a Sport Plan and Parks & Recreation Master Plan. CARRIED 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 2. Aurora Family Leisure Complex Liaison Committee Meeting Minutes of May 27, 2015, and June 23, 2015 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, September 17, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Moved by Councillor Mrakas Seconded by Eric McCartney THAT the Aurora Family Leisure Complex Liaison Committee meeting minutes of May 27, 2015, and June 23, 2015, be received for information. CARRIED 3. Extract from Council Meeting of July 14, 2015 Re: Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of June 18, 2015 Moved by Councillor Mrakas Seconded by Juergen Daurer THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of July 14, 2015, regarding Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting minutes of June 18, 2015, be received for information. CARRIED 7. NEW BUSINESS The Committee briefly discussed the mandate of the AFLC Liaison Committee. Staff provided the Committee with a fitness membership summary report, and reported that membership sales have increased. New Business Motion No. 1 Moved by Councillor Mrakas Seconded by Juergen Daurer THAT the document titled “Membership Summary Report” be received for information. CARRIED 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Stephen Kimmerer Seconded by Eric McCartney THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:56 p.m. CARRIED COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.