Councillors here are now fully into the work needed to complete a parks and recreation master plan.
Sean Kelly, of Stempksi, Kelly and Associates in Fergus, presented an outline last month of the services available in the township, what needs to be done, and demographics that will allow councillors to prepare parks and recreation facilities in the future.
Kelly said in his report the proposal includes four key elements: comprehensive public consultation, research of existing users and facilities, a review of demographic projections and trends in leisure service delivery.
Kelly said his company met with 22 stakeholder groups, including: five Sports groups, five service groups, three children’s and youth groups, seven assorted community groups, two arts and culture groups and four public works and management staff.
The company held a community open house, met with arena and concession staff and public works staff.
It also conducted a survey with participation by three public schools, three Mennonite schools, the Drayton Youth Drop In Centre, the PMD arena and the Drayton Library.
Demographics
In order to plan for the future, Kelly explained it is important to understand the population and predications for it in order to plan for services in the future.
The population of Mapleton Township, estimated at 10,620 last year, is expected to grow by 8.7% to 11,550 by 2021, and by 19% to 12,670 by 2031.
Drayton’s population is expected to grow from 2,020 to 2,560 by 2021 (up 26.7%) and to 3,100 by 2031 (up 53% from 2011).
The population of Moorefield is expected to grow from 600 to 850 by 2021 (up 41.6%) and to 1,270 by 2031 (up 112%).
Alma’s population, pegged at 2,053 this year, is expected to grow 10.5% to 2,268 by 2022, with no further projections.
Kelly offered the following statistics that council may have to consider:
– 28% of Mapleton’s population is below the age of 14 (the provincial average is 18%);
– 30% of Mapleton’s population is aged 40 to 65 (the province is at 27%);
– 8.4% of Mapleton’s population is over 65 (provincial figure is 10%);
– 33% of the current population’s mother tongue is something other than English or French;
– 20% of households currently speak a non-official language at home;
– the main visible minority in Mapleton is Latin American (160 people); and
– 12% are immigrants (28% is the provincial average).
The median income (as of 2005) of the traditional family in Mapleton was $68,000, on par with the province. The percentage of low income levels for all people is 7.3%, less than half of the provincial median of 14.7%.
Current education levels in the township vary widely. At 25 to 34 years 50% of people have no high-school certificate or degree, 15% complete their education at the high-school level and 35% move on to higher education.
From 35 to 64 years 32% maintain no high-school diploma, 24% have high-school or the equivalent and 40% have higher education.
Kelly said the figures reflect the large Mennonite population in the community, which does not place a priority on formal education.
There are also statistics about Mapleton’s workforce, including that 27% of residents work from home. Of those not working from home, 77% travel outside of the township for work and the remainder (23%) work within the township. About 8% either walk or cycle to work.
Kelly said the inferences from such statistics are:
– the youth and senior segments of the population will dominate in the future;
– there is a diverse cultural background in the community;
– the population’s income levels are above the provincial average; and
– as the population ages, new seniors will be significantly more educated than the emerging older adult sector.
What the township has
Kelly said the following is an inventory of what the township already offers, but council should keep in mind 66% of Canadian municipalities report their sport and recreation facilities are in need of repair or maintenance.
He said the township has:
– four parks and four walking trails;
– three community centres, one indoor arena and one outdoor arena;
– seven playgrounds, six ball diamonds and four soccer fields;
– two tennis courts and four basketball courts;
– two urban public spaces, one library and one theatre; and
– 40 rural cemeteries and one lake and conservation area.
In Moorefield, facilities requiring short-term attention are, in general:
– poor identification sign;
– playground and the surrounding area play structure does not meet current Canadian Safety Association standards;
– play area requires update to keep current with user expectations;
– washrooms have accessibility issues and interior needs upgrades;
– improved outdoor night lighting is needed;
– the ball diamond dugout shelter roofs obstruct spectator’s views and require adjustment, the outfield fence low; and
– the community centre requires a new roof, accessible entrances and washroom upgrades.
In Drayton at the fair grounds:
– the Kinsmen playground and surrounding area wood play structure does not meet current CSA standards; and
– surfacing requires replacement with compacted material.
With the ball diamonds, Drayton B needs stadium lighting. And on the soccer fields, the large field requires re-grading. With the washrooms and concession stand, Kelly recommended replacing the concrete apron around concession and upgrading the washrooms for accessibility.
He said the PMD Arena and community centre hall requires a new floor (a tripping hazard), new roof, lighting in the parking lot and improved “curb appeal.”
The batting cage at the Alma ball diamond needs repair, as well as new lighting.
The outdoor ice rink in Alma is unattractive in the summer, Kelly said, and the play structures questionable for CSA standards.
In Glen Allan and Rothsay, the play structures require replacement.
Council comments
Councillor Mike Downey asked why the report did not consider the Optimist rinks in Alma and Moorefield.
Kelly said they are considered private operations and the report dealt with publicly owned facilities. Downy said those should still be considered for the purposes of the report.
Public works director Larry Lynch added the report does not include facilities at local schools. He added the equipment there is in better condition and better used than township facilities.
