Ed Pavao and Gavin White of Nustadia Recreation Inc. presented the draft Recreation Facility Infrastructure Renewal Strategy (RFIRS), noting that the proposals respond to public and user group feedback, community census data, industry trends, facility condition assessments, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The consultants noted that there is a demand for a greater variety in recreation programming and facilities.
The recommendations of the RFIRS included:
1) Decommissioning the Tri-Township Arena by Spring 2022.
2) Decommissioning the West Middlesex Memorial Centre within the next five years, if not sooner.
3) Within the next two years, if not sooner, in Mount Brydges develop and build a multi-use recreation facility consisting of the following amenities:
- An indoor playing field (air inflated dome - half of a full regulation-size field);
- If financially viable, retrofit the existing Caradoc Community Centre for ancillary space for the proposed indoor playing field and a multi-generational programming space;
- If not financially viable to retrofit, decommission the Caradoc Community Centre;
- Under a covered pavilion, provide an outdoor active multi-use court space for warm-weather activities, with an ice skating pad in colder weather; and
- A park maintenance equipment building.
4) Within the next five years, if not sooner, expand the Gemini Sportsplex to consist of the following amenities:
- An additional ice pad to create a three pad facility;
- A twin gymnasium with an elevated indoor walking track;
- Additional multi-generational programming space;
- Capital upgrades, as required, to the existing twin pad facility; and
- The conversion of one of the natural grass playing fields to an outdoor artificial turf playing field with lights.
Members of Council thanked the public for passionate responses to the proposals received so far and acknowledged concerns regarding the proposal to move an ice pad from Mount Brydges to Strathroy. Members acknowledged the need to balance various visions for the community as a whole and plan for its recreation needs for the next 20 to 30 years.
Councillor Baker indicated that she was unwilling to support the draft report with its proposed recommendations and made a motion offering new recommendations. The motion failed as no Notice of Motion had been given regarding the new recommendations. Mayor Vanderheyden and the Chief Administrative Officer clarified that the draft report should be received for information only, before the establishment of a RFIRS Committee to review the report and make formal recommendations to be adopted by Council at a later date.
Moved by Councillors Brennan and Kennes
THAT: Council receive the Recreation Facility Infrastructure Renewal Strategy Report for information; and further,
THAT: Council appoint a RFIRS Committee comprised of five members of Council to provide direction on the renewal or replacement of the recreation facilities infrastructure within Strathroy-Caradoc contained in the Nustadia report; and further,
THAT: Council adopt a RFIR Plan no later than June 21, 2021 in order to begin preparing shovel ready plans which might qualify for funding partnerships with other levels of government.
Mayor Vanderheyden passed the Chair to Deputy Mayor Richards.
Moved by Mayor Vanderheyden
THAT: the second clause of the motion on the floor be amended as follows:
THAT: Council appoint a RFIRS Committee comprised of five members of Council to provide direction on the renewal or replacement of the recreation facilities infrastructure within Strathroy-Caradoc using data presented within the Nustadia report.
The motion was not seconded and therefore failed. Mayor Vanderheyden resumed the Chair.
Moved by Councillors Hipple and Brennan
THAT: the second clause of the motion on the floor be amended as follows:
THAT: Council appoint a RFIRS Committee comprised of all members of Council to provide direction on the renewal or replacement of the recreation facilities infrastructure within Strathroy-Caradoc contained in the Nustadia report. Carried.
Moved by Councillors Kennes and Flegel
THAT: the third clause of the motion on the floor be amended as follows:
THAT: Council adopt a RFIR Plan no later than August 31, 2021 in order to begin preparing shovel ready plans which might qualify for funding partnerships with other levels of government. Carried.
The final recommendation is recorded as follows: