An update to the Puslinch Community Centre master plan includes community comments and a need to determine service levels.
On March 2, councillors reviewed a report from Monteith Brown Planning Consultants on a draft of the Puslinch Recreation and Parks Master Plan.
Among the recommendations in the plan is that the township develop a plan for the Puslinch Community Centre park to more closely examine the layout and features of the entire park site, including the expansion lands.
In 2015, Puslinch retained the consultants to complete phase 1 of the Recreation and Parks Master Plan, which includes a review of existing conditions, a public engagement program, and the development of two distinct community centre concept plans for the township’s consideration.
Monteith Brown has now completed Phase 1 and has submitted its report dated Feb. 4, 2016.
Councillor Susan Fielding stated she had heard most of the comments in the past and was willing to accept the document as information.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer was pleased to see the number of questions raised in the report and wondered whether staff would be able to provide answers to some of the questions and/or recommendations.
Deputy clerk Donna Tremblay clarified the questions cited in the report were actually a result of the draft report being presented to the township recreation committee.
The questions were circulated to the consultants who commented that while not all the questions related to the first phase of the project, he would try to answer them.
Tremblay added that for those questions the consultant could not answer, staff would try to get answers – especially in terms of usage of the facility.
Bulmer said some of the questions raised might open the door to additional discussion with the committee and the user groups.
While Tremblay agreed it would be great to have local groups more involved, “council ultimately needs to make a decision regarding service levels at the ball diamonds.”
CAO Karen Landry suggested the report could be circulated to the various Sports organizations do determine if they wanted to provide additional formal/written input.
Bulmer, however, wanted to see some recommendations coming forward before council determines service levels.
Mayor Dennis Lever asked if the report would be directed back to the committee level.
The mayor said another thing that needs to be considered is the ratio of residents versus non-residents taking part in local recreation programs.
While the numbers are cited in local soccer programs, Lever stated that in baseball there are 68 residents taking part – and 49 non-residents.
He added the highest concentration of participation of residents is in tennis.
From a soccer standpoint, there are more Guelph residents coming to Puslinch rather than from Puslinch to Guelph simply because there aren’t enough players to support the number of teams.
“We need to look at the bigger picture. I’d rather not make a decision based on popular opinion,” said Lever, adding he wants to see accurate user numbers on which to base a decision.
“Then as a council, we’re going to have to deal with this at some time.”
At the same time, Lever said council has to consider the Community Improvement Plan and the Fire Services Master Plan “and decide how we are going to proceed based on our limited resources.”
Bulmer agreed. He doubted there is a single recreation organization in the township solely supported by local residents.
Councillor Wayne Stokley said at the recreation committee, part of the discussion was the lack of funding for the park itself – other than the development of the trail. He said “council is going to have to revisit the 10-year capital investment plan to look at what the township can maintain.”
Stokley added, “I’m not too sure what council would like the committee to come up with other than indicating preferences for which plan or to look at individual plans and make comment about the projects within those plans.”
Lever said “with that view in mind, how would the committee see the best way to proceed?” He still wants a review and recommendation from the committee “and we will have to deal with it in the context of everything else.”
