Municipality of West Elgin

Minutes

Recreation Committee

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at 7:00 P.m. - 8:00 P.m.

Electronic Participation Meeting via Zoom

Present:

• Councillor Tellier
• Cindy da Costa
• Megan Bartlett
• Karen Booth
• Councillor Dougherty

Regrets:

• Courtney Kreamer
• Lori Beckett

Staff Present:

• Terri Towstiuc, Clerk
• Jenn Vanesse, Recording Secretary
• Robin Greenall, Chief Administrative Officer

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1.

Call to Order

Chair Taraesa Tellier called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

2.

Adoption of Agenda

• Moved: Megan Bartlett
  Seconded: Cindy da Costa

  That West Elgin Recreation Committee hereby adopts the agenda as circulated.

  Carried

3.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

No disclosures

4.

Minutes

• Moved: Megan Bartlett
  Seconded: Cindy da Costa

  That the West Elgin Recreation Committee adopts the minutes of November 27, 2024 as printed and circulated. 

  Carried

5.

Business Arising from Minutes

No business arising from the minutes.

6.

Staff Reports

6.1

Recreation Fees

2025 fess were passed at the last council meeting. A comparison was made with Dutton-Dunwich and South West Middlesex fees and we are in line with their fees. Terri would like to do a bigger comparison with other municipalities in size and facilities to ensure we are staying current with others.

7.

Items of Discussion

• Canada Summer Students Grant
  • Application was submitted and waiting to hear back on the funding amount
  • Looking for lifeguards, aquatic supervisor, parks & rec and public works
• Dedicated Recreation staff
  • Position was accepted in theory by council, but has to be looked into for budget
• Sponsorship advertising
  • Pool sponsorships would like to start going out shortly through social media and electronic sign
  • It doesn't just have to be weekend swims, it could be during the week as well
  • Staff is directed to look into board advertising to help offset some costs at the pool
  • Looking into some incentives for sponsoring such as tax write off, or receipt, etc...
  • Letters that go out should either connect with the business or mission statement, and maybe look to farming businesses as well
  • Collaborate with Rodney Park Revitalization committee on signage as we don't want to much visual clutter
  • Councillor Dougherty will look into exploring foundations funding, and suggested we look into Ontario trillium grants as well
• Roundtable discussion
  • There were some individual programs that some have suggested in the past such as hiking/running club and youth programs
  • Karen is looking to spearhead a walking/running program before the West Lorne Optimist annual Mothers day race in May
  • CAO Robin suggested the committee come together with some overall goals like what the committee wants to see for the community, set the goals in 1, 2, 3 years increments, what the committees needs are to meet the goals, and then tie in the rec coordinators job description on how they will implement the programming, and how to increase volunteerism
  • There were some concerns on how to go about recruiting volunteers as we would require a vulnerable sector check, so CAO Robin suggested that we brainstorm ideas on how to help offset costs, and look into legalities, etc... to overcome that hurtle
  • The committee suggested an idea board that we can add/alter with the ideas/visions that we have to bring to the next meeting
• Roundtable discussion
  • It was agreed that a sub committee would be formed with Taraesa and Megan, and another community member to add
  • The committee agreed on wanting to keep it recreation based, and starting later in the day (around 3 or 4pm)
  • Some ideas came about of Sherry-Lynn Kirschner with the bunnies and mindfulness, a travelling photo booth, no craft, community wide festivities, baseball game, fish fry, and having everything central in miller park for the activities
  • Costs from last year, and budget for this year will be sent to the sub committee to assist in their preparations
• Other items of discussion
  • Terri will send to the committee what was being proposed for the outdoor pickleball court grant application and anticipated cost
• Holiday Display Tour 
  • Taraesa will bring notes in, and then will post to community as well as the community favorite
• Arena Closure update
  • The Zamboni was leaking oil, but is fixed now with a couple days of arena operations being down for programming
  • The rec committee will be copied on the communications like these going out so they are in the know as well

8.

Adjournment

• Moved: Cindy da Costa
  Seconded: Karen Booth

  That West Elgin Recreation Committee hereby adjourn at 8:12 p.m. to meet again on March 19, 2025, or at the call of the chair. 

  Carried