June 10, 2008 - Chart the course for recreation, parks and culture

June 10, 2008

(Red Deer, Alberta) – The results are in, and Red Deer citizens say they love their parks according to a City of Red Deer needs assessment that got underway last September.

“It’s all about balance, planning and setting priorities,” said Kay Kenny, Recreation Superintendent. “The Recreation, Parks & Culture Community Facility Needs Assessment will help us prepare for future growth and development. It will help us determine what citizens need and want as we set out a process for when, where, why and how we develop recreation, parks and culture in Red Deer.”

The City, through consultants CDC/Converge Group have conducted surveys, facilitated focus groups and consulted with stakeholders as part of the first phase in the Community Facility Needs Assessment. But, citizens can still help chart the course for recreation, parks and culture at an information and feedback session on June 12.

“Citizens play a key role in this process. This information and feedback session will give us an opportunity to tell the community what we have heard so far and involve citizens in the next phase of the assessment,” said Kenny. “It’s about setting out a process that works in Red Deer and for the people that live here.”

The information session will include a presentation from consulting team CDC/Converge. They will present a summary that includes the existing level of satisfaction with current facilities, the needs identified so far during the planning process, and some general themes that are emerging regarding indoor and outdoor facilities and amenities.

Evaluation criteria that will help set priorities are also being developed. “These criteria will serve as the filter through which future direction is charted, and the community will have an opportunity to provide input into the criteria at this meeting,” said Kenny.

The session runs from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 at the Red Deer Lodge in Waskasoo A Room. CDC/ Converge’s presentation will start at 7 p.m. with opportunities for questions and feedback after the presentation. Everyone is welcome.

Visit us online at www.reddeer.ca for more information.

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For more information:

Kay Kenny
Recreation Superintendent
The City of Red Deer
403-342-8159