The City of Sarnia is getting future ready for parks, recreation and culture and is inviting the community to take part in a discussion about its parks and recreation facilities and services direction and identify priorities for the City’s programs, facilities and services. The City has retained the consulting team of Tim L. Dobbie Ltd., FJ Galloway Associates Inc. plus GSP Group Inc. to coordinate the process and create the Master Plan.
Currently, the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for the management and delivery of many services and amenities including approximately 400 hectares of park and open space, 90,000 municipal trees, 15 hectares of beachfront, 35,000 sq. metres of gardens and 50 km of trails and pathways. The department also manages 3 arenas, 2 swimming pools, 1 splash pad, 1 dog park, 2 skate parks, 1 BMX track, 14 baseball diamonds, 30 sports fields and 23 outdoor tennis courts. Plus, the Department operates the Strangway Community Centre, Saradeca and numerous picnic shelters, pavilions, outdoor washroom facilities and playgrounds.
A comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan will allow the City’s Parks and Recreation Department to strategically guide and manage the direction of recreation services, leisure programming and events, parks, waterfront, beaches, public open space, trails, cultural opportunities and development, recreational facilities and related amenities for the next 10-12 years.
Community consultation is a key piece to this process and the success of the Master Plan. There will be several ways to provide feedback, including meetings and focus groups with staff, Council, and over 20 stakeholder sessions. There will be a public open house meeting May 29th at Clearwater Arena Upper Hall at 6pm, plus an on-line survey and community engagement platform so that the entire community can get involved and speak up about Sarnia’s recreation, parks and culture opportunities.
For more information, as the details of ‘Speak Up Sarnia’ opportunities will be advertised in advance and all consultation events will be posted on the City of Sarnia’s website, at www.Sarnia.ca.