July 11 - Community Facilities Needs Assessment is underway

July 11, 2008

(Red Deer, Alberta) – With new community ideas for the future of parks, culture and recreation, The City is taking a proactive approach to choosing what gets built and when.

The Community Facility Needs Assessment is all about planning and prioritizing for future parks, culture and recreation facility development in Red Deer. “We are conducting the assessment with the needs of the community as a whole in mind. Independent opportunities and projects such as parks and trail expansion, sports field development or development of a multi-use facility that may include an array of aquatics opportunities need to be considered as part of a bigger picture. It’s through this assessment process that people can help shape and direct culture, parks and recreation facility development 10, 15 and 20 years into the future,” said Kay Kenny, Recreation Superintendent.

The assessment got underway last September with consultants CDC/Converge Group conducting research and public consultation. The first phase of the assessment, which included research and situation analysis, is already complete. It involved finding out what we have and need. Researchers talked to people about what they like and dislike when it comes to parks, culture and recreation in Red Deer.

“We are committed to working with citizens, partners, stakeholders and community associations to carry out this assessment,” said Kenny. “Public input is a key component.”

Now, The City is moving forward with the second phase – the criteria setting and strategy development phase. This involves setting out criteria that will help evaluate recreation, parks and culture facility (re)development. Further input into this phase will take place over the next two months and will help build the framework for an evaluation tool that will be developed as a result of the assessment.

Kenny says forward planning is crucial, and this tool will help City Council make informed decisions about future parks, recreation and cultural facilities in Red Deer.

The assessment will wrap-up this fall when it is presented to City Council for approval.

For more information about the Community Facilities Needs Assessment visit www.reddeer.ca or contact Kay Kenny at 403-342-8159.

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For more information see the Q & A Backgrounder.

For more information, please contact:

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