Parks and Recreation Plan

The Township of Centre Wellington is excited to embark on the development of several key strategic Recreation and Parks Plans.

• Parks & Recreation Needs Assessment
• Parks Plan
• Parks and Recreation Plan
• Indoor Multi-Use Recreation Facility Feasibility Study

These plans will provide a roadmap to enhance and grow the Township’s parks and recreation facilities and services for residents, user groups, and visitors now and into the future. These Plans will guide decision-making across all aspects of parks and recreation, from playgrounds to facilities and everything in between. Ensuring key priorities set out in the Township’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan will be the overarching document for these Plans.

The consulting team led by MGA-McQueen Galloway Associates has been retained by the Township to complete all phases of this multi-faceted project. MGA understands communities like the Township of Centre Wellington and the complexity of balancing community needs and financial sustainability for the Township’s population growth.

Project Update

On Monday, May 12, MGA-McQueen Galloway presented the three deliverables as part of the project. The Parks and Recreation Plan Draft Report, the Draft Parks Plan and the Draft Needs Assessment.

Six themes emerged from the Parks and Recreation Draft Report:

• Partnership and Agreements
• Indoor Recreation Facilities
• Programs, Events, and Festivals
• 2-Way Open Communication, Engagement, Administration and Revenue
• Outdoor Sports Facilities
• Outdoor Parks and Open Space

The Parks and Recreation draft plan has been developed by the consultant based on extensive input and analysis.

While specific components of the plan are no longer open for individual revisions or new suggestions, we welcome your feedback on the draft plan as a whole. Your comments will help us understand community priorities and guide final refinements where possible.

Please focus your input on the overall direction, themes, and implementation strategies presented in the draft. We appreciate your understanding and continued participation in shaping our parks and recreation future.

Click on the tabs below to provide input on the overall direction, themes, recommendations and/or implementation strategies on Indoor Recreation Facilities, Outdoor Sports Facilities, and any other items from the Draft Parks and Recreation Plan you wish to share your thoughts on.

You can explore the section on Indoor Recreation Facilities on pages 19–42 of the Draft Parks and Recreation Plan.

Indoor Recreation Facilities include:

• Arenas (CW Community Sportsplex and Jefferson Elora Community Centre
• Curling (both the Elora and Fergus Curling Clubs are located on Township-owned land)
• Fitness Centres
• Gymnasiums
• Youth Centres
• Victoria Park Senior Centre
• Aquatics
• Community Halls/Community Centres
• Additional Indoor Facilities (walking track, indoor turf, event space)

If you have any input on the overall direction, themes, recommendations and/or implementation strategies on Indoor Recreation Facilities, please share with us below.

You can explore the section on Outdoor Recreation Facilities on pages 54-81 of the Draft Parks and Recreation Plan.

Outdoor Recreation Facilities include:

• Rectangular Pitches (soccer fields)
• Ball Diamonds
• Washrooms
• Basketball/Multi-use Pads
• Dog Park
• Environmental Stewardship and Climate Change
• Playgrounds
• Splashpads
• Indoor and Outdoor Tracks
• Outdoor Skating Rinks
• Tennis Courts
• Pickleball
• Outdoor Skateboard Parks & BMX All Wheel Tracks
• Connectivity and Trails
• Park Planning

If you have any input on the overall direction, themes, recommendations and/or implementation strategies on Outdoor Recreation Facilities, please share with us below.

If you have any input on the overall direction, themes, recommendations and/or implementation strategies on any other sections of the Draft Parks and Recreation Plan, please share with us below.

The Parks and Recreation Plan outlines key recommendations for Centre Wellington. It is informed by comprehensive data and insights gathered through the Needs Assessment, Parks Plan, and Community Engagement Strategy, which collectively shaped the development of the Plan’s Action Items.

The Draft Needs Assessment Report is an extensive review of the current state and future needs of Parks and Recreation in Centre Wellington. The process included:

• A review of current Township policies
• Demographic profile and population projections
• Summary of National and Provincial related policy
• Trends and Best Practices in Parks and Recreation
• Review of Parks and Recreation Operating and Capital budgets
• Review of Rates and Fees and comparison
• Parks and Outdoor Recreation Facility inventory and condition assessment
• Review of indoor facility conditions and inventory
• Summary of needs for both indoor and outdoor parks and recreation

The Draft Parks Plan includes a review of the Township’s parks planning and policies, along with a summary of emerging trends. The report includes an inventory of the parks and defines and categorizes Township parks. This project was led by GSP Group and Watson and Associates and included engagement with required groups, including School Boards and the Grand River Conservation Authority. The forecasted parkland needs are provided along with recommendations and next steps. The deliverable includes a draft Parkland Dedication Bylaw, and as a final step in the project, Council will receive a draft Bylaw for their consideration at a future date.

The Multi-use Recreation Facility Feasibility Study is currently underway.

Community Engagement Report

This report reflects the insights and feedback gathered during our meetings with various community groups. It is not intended to imply that every suggestion or concern raised will be implemented directly, but rather to provide an overview of what we heard during our public engagement sessions.

The voices and perspectives of those we engage with will help guide our future actions and decisions in a way that aligns with the community's needs and priorities. We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the public engagement process. Your input is invaluable and will play a crucial role in shaping our path forward.

Community Engagement Report, December 2024

Community engagement is an essential part of the project. It helps build a common understanding of the issues and empowers residents to have their say in the future of the Township. MGA and the team have developed an extensive community engagement program to ensure we hear from everyone in the community.

The Robust Engagement included:

• Staff Workshops, interviews and survey
• Advisory Committee and Board Meetings
• Mayor & Council Interviews
• Collaboration with County of Wellington Social Services
• Intake from community organizations: The Grove Youth Hub, Upper Grand Family Health Team and Centre Wellington Foodbank.
• District School Boards
• In-person workshops with students at Centre Wellington District High School Workshop
• Grand River Conservation Authority
• Public Community Workshops
• Community Engagement events (Town Hall/Open House)
• Connect CW communications
• Community Group workshops (minor sports, events and festivals, user groups etc.)
• Sport Survey completed by local minor sport organizations that rent Township Parks and Recreation facilities
• Written Submissions
• Online Community Survey

For more information on this project, please contact:

Township of Centre Wellington Lead
Pat Newson, Managing Director of Community Services
Email Pat Newson

MGA Project Lead

Tracey McQueen, MGA-McQueen Galloway Associations
Email Tracey McQueen