Coquitlam residents now have their final chance to comment on a strategy that will shape the City’s parks, recreation and culture services for those 50+ for the next 15 years...
COQUITLAM, BC, September 27, 2017 – Coquitlam residents now have their final chance to comment on a strategy that will shape the City’s parks, recreation and culture services for those 50+ for the next 15 years.
An online survey at www.coquitlam.ca/seniorsstrategy from Sept. 26 to Oct. 10 will be the final round of consultation for Coquitlam Parks, Recreation and Culture Services’ draft Seniors Services Strategy.
Based on extensive research and consultation, the draft strategy is centred around four strategic goals and related actions intended to meet the recreation needs of older adults and seniors. The four goals are:
- Ensure access and inclusion for all – addressing barriers such as cost, location, language and transportation.
- Provide excellence in program and service delivery – addressing what and how programs are provided through policy, new service-delivery models and best practices.
- Improve communication and collaboration – addressing facility names, public awareness of services, and partnership opportunities with other service providers.
- Develop volunteer and staff resources – addressing volunteer opportunities for seniors, and staff and board capacity.
Those interested in learning more are encouraged to read the draft strategy at www.coquitlam.ca/seniorsstrategy before completing the survey on the same webpage.
With guidance from the new strategy, Dogwood and Glen Pine pavilions will continue to provide programming and services for seniors, while the larger recreation centres will adapt their offerings to meet the growing needs of older adults and seniors in the community.
Building from the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Master Plan, the City began developing the Seniors Services Strategy in 2016 to address the changing needs of Coquitlam’s older adults and seniors. Not only will this population group double in size over the next 10 to 15 years, but it is also growing more culturally diverse, has a wide range of interests, and may be faced with a variety of barriers to participation.
Consultation for the draft strategy has included four public workshops, an online survey, workshops for Council Advisory Committees, and a significant number of written submissions from individuals and community groups. Research was also conducted into best practices, participation trends and demographics.
After the survey closes Oct. 10, the City will incorporate the feedback into a final strategy document that will be presented to Council for endorsement. An implementation plan will then be developed to ensure follow through on the goals and actions identified in the strategy.
To take the survey, learn more and download the draft strategy, go to www.coquitlam.ca/seniorsstrategy.
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