With input from residents, staff, businesses and local organizations, council has officially adopted a strategic plan to carry the Town of Collingwood into 2028.
The plan is summed up in a single-sentence statement:
"Collingwood is an inclusive community that offers a healthy and active lifestyle in a beautiful waterfront setting, anchored by a responsible government, strong business network, and a historic, animated downtown."
At a special meeting of council on July 29, councillors gave final approval to the town’s community-based strategic plan, bringing the past year’s work on the plan to a conclusion.
During council discussion, Coun. Kathy Jeffery proposed an amendment to add acknowledgement of Collingwood’s non-profit sector throughout the plan, which was approved unanimously by councillors.
“Collaboration with the non-profit sector today isn’t really a nice-to-do; it’s a need-to-do,” said Coun. Deb Doherty. “There isn’t enough funding coming down to municipalities for them to provide the vast range of services (needed). Thank goodness for the non-profit sector, because they do amazing work.”
The community-based strategic plan outlines Collingwood’s strategic vision, values, and priorities from 2024 to 2028. It acts as a guide for decision-making and resource allocation and help to build consensus among council, staff, and the community about where Collingwood is headed and how it will get there.
Forum Research ran a telephone and online survey of residents from March 18 to April 4 this year, netting nearly 1,000 responses, the results of which informed the plan. To read about the outcome of that survey, click here.
Town staff and StrategyCorp also ran multiple public information sessions this past December to gather resident feedback. The consultant met with all the town’s committees, boards and task forces, and ran two community-focused sessions with community partners, sports and arts groups.
In May, council held a visioning session on the plan that was open to the public.
The plan approved by council this week includes the town’s mission, which is: working together to provide excellent services, progressive and accountable decision-making, collaboration and advocacy.
Values outlined in the plan include leadership, integrity, respect excellence and financial stewardship.
There are three community pillars under which goals for the municipality are organized.
The first pillar – sustainability – includes encouraging more housing options that meet, supporting integrated and people-scaled development and work with partners to take action on climate change.
The second pillar – connectedness – involves fostering belonging through arts, culture, and events, promoting Collingwood as a centre for healthy and active living and supporting a community that is safe and well
The last pillar, vibrancy, includes growing the economy, building the local labour force and enhancing the downtown and waterfront.
There is also a pillar exclusive to government action under the umbrella of responsibility. For this, the town pledges to continuously drive operational/organizational excellence, promote healthy democracy, maintain the town’s strong financial health and assets and champion local, regional, and intergovernmental collaboration.
At the end of discussion, council voted unanimously in favour of approving the new community-based strategic plan. Coun. Christopher Baines was absent from the meeting.
To read through Collingwood’s 2024-28 community-based strategic plan, click here.
