A Master Parks and Recreation Plan or Two

My cold is worse. I will absent myself from the fray to-night and do everyone else a favour.

I still need to read and understand the recommendations. Decisions will be made by Council next Tuesday.

We had two versions of a Master Parks and Recreation Plan to peruse this week-end.

How so? you ask.

Aye well, let me tell you.

In March 2007. Council awarded a contract for a Master Parks and Recreation Plan at a price of $53,226.88.

In January 2009, the Consultant's draft was submitted but not to Council. Leisure Services Advisory Committee, chaired by Councillor MacEachern received it and the Consultant's presentation. The draft went to a study group of the committee, including Councillor MacEachern and Ken Whitehurst, the Mayor's friend..

No notice of meetings were provided . No records maintained. No staff attended.

A year later, despite repeated efforts to obtain the first draft , Council now has two.

The professional document which cost $53,226.88. The second from MacEachern and Whitehurst.

The first 79 pages long, the second 76 pages printed both sides .No doubt,no less than a minimum of thirty five copies of each .

Inventory of facilities, compilation of statistics, population forecasts, and community input are the same in both. Recommendations are not.

For example:

The consultants refer to $5 million dollars collected in levies for a gymnasium and youth facility, should be used for that purpose within the period of the plan.

During the same period, land should be acquired for future sports and recreation needs with funds available.

The Official Plan ratio of parks to people is noted.

MacEachern and Whitehurst disagree. They recommend more studies for the youth facility and land acquisition. And the Official plan ratio of parks to people be increased to reduce the deficit reflected in needed facilities.

Normal procedure is for a Consultant to present a draft plan to Council. With any luck, the presentation draws public attention. Like with all those organisations the Mayor likes to invite to take advantage of the camera and public attention to Council meetings.

Council can change a draft plan with further input from staff and the community.

Things can change between work commenced, the plan being presented and finally approved.

The study recommended using town-owned Leslie Street lands for recreation. Council has already decided to sell the lands, so that part had to change.

Establishing a level of service to support development levies is extremely important but the significance is lost in the "revisions"

The Plan never made it's public debut. It spent a year under a shroud, in the tight control of a couple of individuals, MacEachern and Whitehurst and probably the Mayor. It is unlikely to receive further scrutiny from Council before final approval.

The necessary town resources were expended to create the plan. It never saw the light of day. until it had been thoroughly worked over by at least two individuals one of whom, neither elected nor accountable but with full confidence of Mayor Morris.