Since both the Town of Collingwood and the Town of the Blue Mountains have each allotted funding toward a feasibility assessment for a multi-use recreation facility, Collingwood's director of recreation is suggesting the two municipalities team-up.
During Collingwood’s July 24 committee of the whole meeting, councillors will be considering a recommendation from town staff to collaborate with their neighbour to the west on a possible new facility that could serve both communities.
“In recognizing the close nature, geographically and culturally, between the Town of the Blue Mountains and Collingwood, and that overlap in services provided to each other’s constituency exists today, staff felt it was appropriate to offer the option of a regional approach,” noted Dean Collver, the town’s director of parks, recreation and culture, in his report to councillors.
At the Monday meeting, Collingwood councillors will be considering the first step in such a process, which would see the two municipalities blending their financial resources to put out a request for proposals for a joint feasibility study to examine whether one facility could address the needs of both towns.
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.
“Public engagement will be a key factor in this approach, as well as consultation with local and provincial sports organizations, third-party recreation providers, and users of community space,” wrote Collver.
“Given the investment that will be required to support a successful project outcome, a 50-year future outlook is identified as being an advisable period for consideration within the study,” he noted.
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.
If both municipal councils give approval to proceed with the collaborative approach, Collingwood town staff are recommending that the approved budgets be blended into a request-for-proposals upset limit of $200,000 for the joint feasibility study – $100,000 committed from each municipality.
“Everything – from a clearer regional assessment of needs to potential upper-tier funding in the future – supports the concept of a collaborative approach,” wrote Collver.
The consideration of a regional approach for a multi-use recreation facility will be dealt with during the July 24 committee of the whole meeting. The committee meeting starts immediately following the regular council meeting, which starts at 2 p.m. Any members of the public may attend in person in council chambers at Collingwood town hall, or virtually by Zoom webinar. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the town’s YouTube channel here.
