Skip to content

Draft recreation master plan good news for town

The findings of a company hired to look at the overall recreation picture in Rimbey to create a future master plan
38309rimbeyRecCentre062513
Working out: Peter Stenstrom

The findings of a company hired to look at the overall recreation picture in Rimbey to create a future master plan are good news for the town.

A report from RC Strategies, a consulting company based in Edmonton, states the majority of Rimbey’s recreational services are at a similar or better level than those of similar sized communities.

The report states the town spends less per capita than comparable communities on parks, trails and recreation (Rimbey spends $202 per resident annually compared to similarly sized communities that average $343 per resident annually).

Steven Slawuta from RC Strategies says the town is doing a great job.

“There is a lot in Rimbey and the town spends a little less and provides more (for the residents).”

On the flip side, even though Rimbey offers a strong complement of registered recreation and sport programming, there are minimal spontaneous use opportunities. “There are always ways to improve,” said Slawuta.

A household survey shows recreation and leisure are important to residents, with 59 per cent of the households surveyed satisfied with the current availability.

RC Strategies said surveys show the enhancement of parks, trails and outdoor spaces are a priority.

According to the survey, the indoor facility with the highest use is the auditorium at the community centre, followed by the hockey arena.

Other suggestions the consulting group included in its report are an outdoor amphitheatre/band shelter, a dog off-leash area, indoor child playground, the rehabilitation of the outdoor tennis courts and the relocation of the skateboard park.

Outdoor basketball courts, expansion of the fitness room, an indoor walking/running track, enhancement of the gymnasium, a baseball-specific diamond and an indoor fieldhouse would also improve the recreation scenario.

Slawuta said the town needs to work with its volunteers to help enhance the delivery of recreation and leisure opportunities.

He suggested the town work with agencies in Rimbey such as the FCSS Volunteer Centre to coordinate recruitment and placement activities by maintain a roster of residents seeking volunteer opportunities.

A conference or symposium would also provide an opportunity to connect volunteers to organizations.

The town needs to focus on developing cost-effective programs, which can provide physical activity and social opportunities for seniors and other residents facing physical barriers to participation in recreation and leisure, the report states.

“It’s a common sense plan, (but) there are limited resources,” Slawuta said.

During its research, RC Strategies received 185 households and 17 groups completed surveys and eight stakeholders were interviewed. A total of 151 student surveys were completed and four comparable communities analyzed. A general assessment of parks, sports fields and trails was conducted and four preliminary indoor facility assessments completed.

Other research included studying industry publications and town planning documentation.

RC Stragies draft plan will be presented to council for approval and action.