Central Park Multi-Use Recreation Facility Estimated Initial Cost - 34 Million Dollars

Collingwood Council now has a better idea of the price tag to re-develop Central Park. On Monday, November 14th, Central Park Development Steering Committee Co-chair Brian Saunderson presented council with a conceptual design and cost estimate of $34 million. Saunderson said that the completed multi-use development would feature a 25 metre, six lane swimming pool and two indoor ice surfaces with seating for 400 spectators. The development would connect with the existing YMCA building and Curling Club, including the construction of public viewing areas and meeting rooms. The existing Lawn Bowling facility would remain at its current location. Saunderson said that the facility is a natural fit with the curling club, and the two cater to a similar demographic. An "outdoor classroom" would be created adjacent to the YMCA on the south-west side of the building. The baseball diamonds at Central Park would be relocated, with a dog park to be created in the south-east corner of Central Park. Parking at Central Park would be expanded to accommodate 350 vehicles which Saunderson said would be more than enough to meet the needs of the multi-use centre. Saunderson pointed out to council that partnerships between municipalities and the the local YMCA has worked well in dozens of Ontario towns and cities. Councillor Rick Lloyd suggested the committee look into bringing in private sponsorship partners which will help fund the cost of the proposed development. The next public open house will be held at the Collingwood Library on Saturday, December 3rd. A final report and the complete report, along with recommendations, will be presented to Council in late January 2012. A Staff Report prepared by Marta Proctor, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, identified benefits of working in partnership with the YMCA to re-develop Central Park: There have also been clearly identified benefits, particularly in the area of operating efficiencies, from established partnership ventures with the YMCA. Based on community feedback, and to assist with the Central Park Concept Design the Steering Committee developed the following principles which would guide the establishment an operating agreement upon approval of this project; (a) Access and Equity – Programs and services will be provided to all residents regardless of one's background. Gender equity is paramount. (b) Service Friendly – Programs and services will be based on community need. (c) Choices and Options – The centre will ensure that membership, program participation and casual use options are available to the residents in both active and creative opportunities. (d) Recreation and Sport for Life – All efforts will be made to encourage and motivate residents to continue to be active for life. (e) Healthy Individuals and Communities – Programs and services will aim to improve the social, physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well being of residents and the town as a whole. (f) Building Capacity within the Community – The facility will be a centre of community supporting volunteerism and community organizations. (g) Environmental Stewardship – Operations and programs will strive to respect, protect and enhance the environment. (h) Seamless Operations – The town and YMCA will work together to provide as seamless an experience for the user as possible. (i) Sustainability – All efforts will be made to reduce expenditures and increase revenues to ensure that the centre operations are sustainable over time. In recommending the proposed next steps, the Steering Committee reviewed it's Terms of Reference which outlined a commitment to community engagement and stated that "preferred courses of action will be identified and presented to the partner organizations, community and stakeholders". A variety of methods have been used to ensure that the public are aware of information relating to the Project; as well as notifying them of ways in which they can provide input to the Steering Committee and staff. The methods listed below will continue to be used to express the characteristics of the Steering Committee's Recommend Development Scenario. • On-line blog site (www.collingwoodcentralpark.blogspot.com) • On-line survey(s) • Newspaper advertisements • Stakeholder interviews and email notices • Town web site • Planning Services Facebook Page A Public Open House will be scheduled during the week of November 28, 2011. The primary intent of the second phase of public consultation will be to solicit feedback on; • the outlined components of the Recommended Development Scenario • proposed principles of the operating agreement • projected budget implications

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