Road Ahead: Aurora’s sport, parks and recreation plans nearing approval

Yorkregion.com
Dec. 31, 2015
By Teresa Latchford

Aurora’s sport plan and parks and recreation master plan could be approved as early as Jan. 19.

Both draft plans have been presented to the public and council for review and consultants continue to gather comment from sporting organizations, residents and others as they prepare the final document for council’s consideration, Aurora’s parks and recreation director Al Downey said.

“We are getting very positive feedback on both plans,” he added. “We plan to do the staff review as soon as we receive the final versions and present council with our recommendations in early January.”

If council supports the sport plan and parks and recreation master plan, Downey will be tasked with developing a strategy for implementation.

The goals listed in the plan will have to be prioritized to see what can be done right away and what will require planning and more financial support.

“The town has already allocated some funds to initiate some of the recommendations coming out of these documents but nothing can be acted on until council gives it final approval,” Downey said.

The draft Aurora sport plan makes eight recommendations, including the development of a sport policy, making Sport Aurora an official sport council and creating a sport development officer position within the parks and recreation department.

It further suggests the establishment of a sport funding model, providing physical literacy training to those who work with children and culturally diverse groups, reducing barriers - including cost - for sport opportunities, engaging older adults in physical activities and developing a broad-based sport marketing and sport tourism strategy.

The draft parks and recreation master plan lays out 41 recommendations, including an expansion of the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex to accommodate a gymnasium, multi-purpose program spaces and a fitness centre, evaluating current facilities to encourage socializing, collecting data on the usage of town programs and facilities, delivering youth-friendly services and investigating if the former public library on Victoria Street can be a location for the delivery of services.

The draft also recommends the town only take on an indoor tennis facility if it can partner with an operator.

The creation of a sports field complex with three lit, rectangular fields - one of which would be being designated multi-use - the construction of one outdoor artificial turf field, the addition of two outdoor tennis courts in the northeast quadrant, an outdoor pickle ball court, integration of minor skateboard and biking zones into parks and an urban water feature, as well as two splash pads are also listed among the recommendations.

The document also recommends the town continue to acquire parkland and develop its trail system.