Council endorses Parks and Recreation Master Plan

ABERFOYLE – Puslinch council endorsed the new Parks and Recreation Master Plan on Oct. 21, but don’t expect to see any new parks, facilities or programs at least until 2028.

The plan examined existing facilities and included community engagement and consultation with user groups, officials say. 

Residents of Puslinch who responded said they want to see an indoor walking track, more playgrounds, a splashpad and more all-season trails in the township.

They’d like to see more programs offered locally, like fitness and wellness classes, child and youth recreation, and social and active living programs for seniors.

But bringing these suggestions to fruition will involve staff planning – and funding.

CAO Courtenay Hoytfox said senior staff will go through the 56 recommendations and devise a funding strategy.

Among the recommendations are:

• hire a community development coordinator to build capacity at existing facilities and partnerships with local groups to deliver more programs locally;
• seek out grants and third-party funding to bring improvements sooner;
• establish high, medium and low priority projects and build them into a 10-year capital plan; and
• make use of the community wellness advisory committee to make recommendations based on the master plan.

Councillor John Sepulis hoped there might be some low-cost improvements that could be undertaken now or at least in 2027.

“I don’t want us to lose momentum,” he said, suggesting line painting for pickleball or painting picnic benches in parks as possible low-cost projects. 

“I just don’t want to wait another year.”

Council also balked at hiring a full-time coordinator.

“That was a staff recommendation,” said Tracey McQueen, the consultant who prepared and presented the report.

“Staff felt part-time would not suffice … and they could not move forward on the recommendations without the full-time position.”

Council also heard the HVAC system at the Optimist Recreation Centre (ORC) needs to be replaced and staff sought a pre-budget commitment of $50,000 to get that project underway.

The existing system is 16 years old and doesn’t have the ability to adjust for humidity. As a result, the floor of the gym inside the ORC is becoming damaged.

This increases operating costs and adds to the capital budget. 

Council approved the HVAC purchase and endorsed the master plan.