Municipality of West Elgin

Minutes

Recreation Committee

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West Elgin Community Centre
Present:
  • Councillor T. Tellier
  • Cindy da Costa
  • Megan Bartlett
  • Michelle Navackas
  • Courtney Kreamer
Regrets:
  • Nicole Campbell
  • Destiny Vickers
Staff Present:
  • Jenn Vanesse

Chair Taraesa Tellier called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m.

  • Moved:Michelle Navackas
    Seconded:Megan Bartlett

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

    Carried
  • Moved:Michelle Navackas
    Seconded:Cindy da Costa

    That the West Elgin Recreation Committee adopts the minutes of June 21, 2023 as printed and circulated. 

    Carried

There were many activities to do at the celebration. Opening ceremonies with Larry Schneider singing the Anthem, and the legion Color Guard. MP, MPP and Warden Ed Ketchabaw. There were many food trucks and people enjoyed the diversity of them. There was fireworks and a band at night. In the arena was rock painting, inflatables, and cake. It was well attended and enjoyed. Event was nicely spread out, and there was  a place to sit in the arena to eat instead of out in the grass and out of the heat. The high school students were engaged as volunteers.

Few things noted for improvement/suggestions for next year:

  • be creative with a craft with art students, or youth group, or Shelly
  • more organization for set-up and take down (checklists, smaller group to organize, have an appointed lead)
  • have a map of events with a little bit of info on them
  • checklists on what to do and supplies needed
  • volunteers be clearly marked so people know who to go to for any questions
  • start planning in Jan/Feb
  • ensure $5000 grant is applied for
  • option of Optimist joining on the same day with their car show
  • have a hitlist for O'Canada singers
  • have a head coordinator/leader for tear down and set up

Financials total were $6934.67 which was under the $7500 budget. The 4 cakes were generously donated by West Lorne Foodland, which we had many compliments on. Jenn will send a thank you card to them. All invoices have been paid other than the band which will be paid before the end of next week.

Michelle is working with Josh Ward from Fitborough to offer Thursday night drop in at the Rec Center starting October 5th. They are looking for volunteers for 2 hours to help run the programming. Thoughts are to have a 5-6pm and a 6-7pm for 8-10 year olds, and 11-13 year olds. They will try different sports from basketball, pickleball, floor hockey, soccer, and dodgeball. A schedule will be sent to Adam for equipment needs and when each activity would be on. Starting off with October, November and part of December with the program and then if enough interest, to start back up in January with some more structure and ideas. There will be notification go out the week before each activity on what it will be. Charging $2/person for the hour. They have Trish Vink willing to do a drum circle once a month for both age groups. 

Suggestions:

  • jewelry, crochet making, sewing, etc... in the large meeting room
  • Sharon does kids Zumba, and there are many yoga instructors too
  • advertising needed like a poster to be handed out at the school for the kids in those age groups, on electronic signs, website, facebook, social media
  • code of conduct for expectations will be available
  • volunteer screening is needed and time frame to have it back by
  • transportation could be an issue
  • if it goes well, more ideas on expanding to different venues, or having different activities in both towns
  • in the past declarations were done every year in roughly January (Jenn will get these together)
  • add these activities into the rec emails we get on Fridays
  • have a high school roster to pull volunteers from every June
  • do a poll for times and feedback

Talked about more outdoor activities for adults such as recreational soccer. Very relaxed and more rec based than competitive. The financial implications could be minimal s the field maintenance is already being done, could have local/in training/volunteer referees. The only unknown would be insurance or waivers.

When the budget comes out, we need to discuss options/suggestions for the tennis court area.

  • Moved:Michelle Navackas
    Seconded:Megan Bartlett

    That West Elgin Recreation Committee receive and file all correspondence not otherwise dealt with.

    Carried
  • Moved:Courtney Kreamer
    Seconded:Michelle Navackas

    That West Elgin Recreation Committee hereby adjourn at 8:03pm to meet again on October 18th at 7:00pm via Zoom.

    Carried
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