While all councillors seem to be in agreement that Collingwood needs a multi-use recreation facility, the path to getting one split opinions at the table this week.
During Collingwood’s July 24 committee of the whole meeting, Collingwood councillors considered the first step in a process toward a new multi-use recreation facility, with a suggestion from town staff to pair up with the Town of The Blue Mountains for a joint feasibility study that would help find out if one facility could meet the needs of both towns.
However, not all councillors were on-board to start with a collaborative approach.
At the Monday meeting, Collingwood Minor Hockey Association President Dave Epp gave a deputation about the need for a multi-use recreation facility in Collingwood. Epp said earlier this year, multiple sports organizations across Collingwood – calling themselves the Collingwood Sports and Recreation Alliance – came together to push for one united goal.
“The idea behind the alliance is to not battle with each other to say one sport is more important than another, but to present (how important it) is for Collingwood to have a multi-use facility,” said Epp.
“We need something ASAP. It’s long overdue,” he said.
Epp referenced the local push for an arts and culture centre in Collingwood that is currently making its way through feasibility studies.
“On behalf of many middle-class families who have kids in multiple sports in this town... there is a massive need, that is more important than an arts and theatre movement,” said Epp, adding that local sports leadership is mostly volunteer based.
“We don’t have the money to start a formal movement. That’s why we need your support,” he told councillors.
Trevor Littlejohns, vice president of Collingwood Girls Hockey Association, also spoke in favour of pushing forward on multi-use recreation facility discussions.
“I want to add how much of a nightmare it is right now for scheduling. We’re outsourcing to other centres,” he said. “Having 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. ice times is just not sustainable for working families.”
Mayor Yvonne Hamlin thanked the deputants, noting she heard from both the sports and arts/culture communities last summer while campaigning for mayor.
“I hope, in our community, we don’t get down to, ‘I’m more important,’ or that sports is more important than arts and music,” said Hamlin. “For whatever reason, our community has not been able to put a shovel in the ground for either of these kinds of facilities.”
“I would like to see them both move forward,” she said.
During Monday’s meeting, councillors also considered a recommendation from staff to explore the option of collaborating with the Town of the Blue Mountains on a feasibility study to explore the option of one joint facility that could serve both communities.
A feasibility study is a tool used to confirm community needs, in a prioritized framework, for both the current time frame as well as a defined future scope. This assessment also reviews business alternatives to determine the most effective means of delivering services. High-level costing and next steps recommendations may also be included in a feasibility study.
The Town of the Blue Mountains approved funding toward the delivery of a feasibility assessment through their 2021 Leisure Activities Plan. Collingwood approved funding through their 2019 Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan. Both plans indicated opportunities to review regional potential.
The director of parks, recreation and culture, Dean Collver, said on Monday that Town of the Blue Mountains residents already attend Collingwood recreation facilities, and vice versa, which points to the efficiency of a joint approach.
“If the Town of the Blue Mountains builds a pool...that’s going to have an impact on our pool because we know right now a large number of those residents attend our pool,” said Collver. “It’s something we need to understand and open a conversation on.”
Coun. Rob Ring expressed concern that a joint approach could detract from the need in Collingwood.
“It’s something we needed yesterday,” said Ring. “I’m worried that doing studies the funding wasn’t intended for will take that much longer to get a facility here in Collingwood.”
“I have a hard time supporting a regional facility,” he said.
Coun. Chris Potts agreed.
“With the way the Town of Collingwood is growing and the need here, I would like to see the money put into Collingwood’s feasibility study first,” said Potts. “If the study suggested a regional approach, then that would be something I could consider.”
“I think we need to start here,” he said.
Coun. Brandon Houston spoke in support of the recommendation from staff.
“The cost involved in building something like this, similar to the arts and culture centre, is significant,” said Houston. “By partnering with a neighbouring municipality, we have the potential to find efficiencies and open up a broader spectrum of potential funding that can get us there faster.”
“It’s a win for both communities,” he said.
Hamlin agreed with Collver that Blue Mountain residents use Collingwood facilities as it stands.
“We’re almost in a transitional place as a community where we are a bit of a sub-region. Clearview and the Town of the Blue Mountains are very much integrated. It’s just where we are right now,” she said. “We need the facts. What does it hurt to have the information?”
During the July 24 meeting, councillors voted 3-3 to defeat the recommendation, with Coun. Chris Potts, Coun. Steve Perry and Coun. Rob Ring opposed.
Coun. Kathy Jeffery and Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer both declared conflicts and didn’t vote on the matter as they both said they have family members who work in the recreation departments for either Collingwood or the Town of the Blue Mountains. Coun. Christopher Baines was absent from the meeting.
The matter will be brought forward again at a future council meeting for a final vote, but without a recommendation from the committee.
