In addition to evaluating the quality of life and levels of satisfaction with Town services, the 2012 Community Survey had a specific focus on recreation. The responses to the recreation questions are critical to helping the Town plan for future recreation facilities and amenities.
“The survey feedback helps us plan our future investments so they deliver what our residents want and need,” said Mayor Patricia Matthews. “We are grateful to all those who responded and provided their views.”
When asked what would improve the quality of life in Chestermere, additional recreational facilities were the second highest need identified (following more shopping and restaurants). The desire for more recreation opportunities was reinforced by 94% of respondents indicating that having an active lifestyle is important or very important to their household and 76% supporting the development of more public facilities and amenities.
Survey respondents also identified the types of facilities their families would be most likely to use. An aquatics centre topped the list followed by an indoor ice arena, a spray park, a field house and a fitness centre. Follow-up questions asked residents to indicate what features they would want to see in an aquatics centre, gymnasium and fieldhouse.
While many would like to see new recreation options available immediately, building excellent recreational facilities takes time and money. To ensure that the development is done in a feasible way, the Town is creating a Facilities and Amenities Plan (FAP). The FAP will provide details, required population levels, budgets, and timelines so that Council can accurately plan for the implementation of the desired facilities as the Town grows.
The survey results gave guidance on the general types of facilities that will be included in the FAP. As a next step the Town will hold an Open House in March of this year so residents can suggest specific features they would like to see in each type of facility. For example, an ice surface was identified as a priority in the survey and the Open House will give residents the chance to indicate exactly what they would like to see included in that facility (i.e. hockey ice time, types of dressing rooms, curling ice surface, viewing area, etc.) All residents are invited to attend to provide their input.
“We’re excited to start to define concrete ideas for new recreation facilities,” says Mayor Matthews. “We know none of this will happen overnight, but this is the next important step to move from ‘wouldn’t it be great if…’ to making strategic plans for our future facilities.”
The Chestermere Town Survey was open from September 1 – 30, 2012. Full survey results are available at www.chestermere.ca/survey2012. The Facilities and Amenities Plan Open House details will be released at www.chestermere.ca/fap in the next few weeks
