The Organizational Landscape

Transcription

1 The Organizational Landscape A Working Paper of the Saanich Parks and Recreation Master Plan Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. ABSTRACT Saanich municipality is the public sector provider of recreation opportunities. It works in collaboration with a wide variety of other private and not for profit providers to offer these opportunities to Saanich residents. This working paper examines these other two sectors, both which agencies are involved and the issues identified in consultation with them.

2 2 Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. Table of Contents SAANICH S ORGANIZATIONAL LANDSCAPE 2 COMMUNITY INTEREST GROUPS 4 SERVING THE AGING POPULATION 7 SPORT USERS OF INDOOR FACILITIES 8 SPORT USERS OF OUTDOOR FACILITIES AND PARKS 10 COMMUNITY ARTS GROUPS 11 COMMUNITY SERVING ORGANIZATIONS 12 As part of the preparation of the Saanich Parks and Recreation Master Plan, 12 working papers were prepared. They were as follows: Working Paper #1 - Review of Background Reports Working Paper # Master Plan Strategy Fulfillment Working Paper #3 - Demographic Review Working Paper #4 - Organizational Landscape - Reporting from Consultations with Stakeholders Working Paper #5 - Trends Globally and in Other Communities Working Paper #6 - Reporting from Consultations with Key Informants Working Paper #7 - Youth Process Report Working Paper #8 - Household Survey Working Paper #9 - On-Line Survey Working Paper #10 - Program Assessment from CLASS Data Working Paper #11 - Facility Condition Review Selected Facilities Working Paper #12 Review of Human and Financial Resources These working papers are available on request from the Parks and Recreation Department (780 Vernon Avenue, Victoria).

3 WP#3 Organizational Landscape 3 Saanich s Organizational Landscape Saanich municipality is the public sector provider of recreation opportunities. It works in collaboration with a wide variety of other private and not-for-profit providers to offer these opportunities to Saanich residents. In considering how the public sector provision should unfold over the next decade, it is important to understand the relationships with these other two sectors. The private sector is in the business of both providing services and making money. Hence it is active in only a small segment of the overall market. Some examples include: Fitness facilities a brief review of the Yellow Pages under Fitness Centres and Programs indicates that in the region there are at least 50 providers of a range of services from tanning and personal trainers to kickboxing, pilates and yoga. Golf the region has five private golf clubs and over a dozen courses open to the public. Other examples include equestrian facilities, kayak rentals and touring, scuba diving and paintball. The municipal position is generally not to compete with the main markets of these private sector providers. However in offering a comprehensive public system, some competition or duplication can be found, generally in the following areas: Getting started and learning skills most people prefer to gain a knowledge of an activity before making the longer term commitment often required by the private sector. Offering convenience and serving families having a range of facilities in one location allows families to recreate together. Offering programming and building positive active living habits in children and young people active living saves public health costs long term. This also applies increasingly to seniors programming. Offering low cost programming many of Saanich s families and individuals cannot afford the cost of private recreation. However these areas of recreation are tempting in an era of increasing pressure to break even, with creative partnerships often being the best solution, allowing the municipality to meet its goals without trespassing on turf that might be seen as the exclusive domain of the private sector. Partnering with rehabilitation service providers, with sport camps, and with dance schools are examples. Volunteer Number of volunteers is declining. Fewer volunteers are putting in more hours a recipe for burn-out. Bureaucracy is increasing PRCs, insurance requirements, etc Youth are no longer able to volunteer without a guardian being present (except in school and youth groups). Insurance is a continuing issue, but recent Saanich changes have improved this well done, Saanich! The requirement that volunteer groups sign a waiver to direct all media requests to Saanich was a concern to some groups. Many volunteer groups would appreciate more discussion among groups, fostered by Saanich. A staff person responsible for specific areas, such as supporting stewardship groups or coordinating outdoor sports, would be desirable. Sometimes there is little difference between the private sector and the not-for-profit sector: a dance school may be a not-for-profit society which pays its executive director, or a business owned by that person. However the majority of not-for-profits are characterized by their use of volunteers. And the Parks and Recreation Department work with hundreds of different groups, primarily in the delivery of recreation opportunities, but also in a variety of other roles advocacy for the natural environment and support for the physically challenged, seniors and new immigrants are examples. As part of this planning process, discussions were held with a variety of groups to identify issues from their perspectives.

4 4 Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. Community Interest Groups Throughout Saanich, there are community interest groups that focus either on a neighbourhood, a park or a geographic feature. Other groups are more broadly engaged with a specific focus such as community gardens or environmental education. Community and Residents s Bear Hill Elk Lake Community Coalition Broadmead Area Residents Cadboro Bay Residents Cadboro Bay Village Business Improvement Camosun Community Cordova Bay Falaise Crescent Community Gordon Head Residents' Gordon Point Estates Residents Gorge Tillicum Community Mount Tolmie Community Mount View Colquitz Community North Quadra Land Use Protection Prospect Lake Community Prospect Lake Preservation Society Quadra Cedar Hill Community Rainbow Park Ratepayers Royal Oak Community Saanich Community Network Strawberry Vale Community Ratepayer's Need to give more credence to the concepts of community sustainability. This is important from a number of viewpoints climate change is long term, but earthquake preparedness could be a very much more immediate concern. Increasing pressures on community parkland for active recreation, although more interest in keeping parks natural. Recognition that parks and trails are now part of the transportation system. Planning for community centres should recognize a future that is less car dependent. Encouraging a sense of community through gardening is as important as the food security aspect. Parks can play a greater role as community hubs, such as through special events such as Music in the Park. Other activities could be added: farmers markets, summer festivals. Walkable communities must link trails with sidewalks and on-road walking. The loss of child-minding at all except SCP was noted. The linkage of children and nature, and the reinvention of unstructured play in the parks was noted more trees for climbing.

5 WP#3 Organizational Landscape 5 Friends of Parks, Streams, Lakes and Mountains Bowker Creek Initiative Friends of Bowker Creek Society Friends of Cuthbert Holmes Friends of Fairburn Friends of Glencoe Cove Friends of Harriet Road Friends of Knockan Hill Park Society Friends of Mount Douglas Park Friends of Tod Creek Watershed Portage Inlet Sanctuary Colquitz Estuary Society (PISCES) Rithet's Bog Conservation Society Mount Tolmie Conservancy Improving attitudes among Saanich Parks to biodiversity no longer is this taking a backseat to active park management issues. Need for funds allocated to restoring natural areas. Need for more staff in this area. This would increase the ability of parks staff to assist stewardship groups. Many parks still lack ecosystem inventories. Recognition that some activities need to be provided for, such as mountain biking, if others areas are to be protected. More education of users is required. This function is nominally in the Planning Department. Many of the natural parks are too small need to be planned as parts of larger ecosystems. Need for a broader Biodiversity strategy. Potential for other designations of parks land eg conservation area to define acceptable activities. Need to strengthen partnerships between schools and parks more use of school lands for recreation will reduce pressures on sensitive ecosystems. Need to value the free nature of recreation in parks. Lack of funds to maintain the land base that exists, while DCCs push Parks to acquire more land. of power boats on lakes. Camping in parks is becoming a major issue and clearing undergrowth in a natural park is not a good solution. Invasive species are major issues in many parks The increasing number of rogue trails in sensitive areas such as Rithet s Bog. The 4m trail standard might be too wide for many natural areas, as it often means that natural vegetation has to be removed.

6 6 Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. Food Security Organizations Agnes Street Allotment Gardens Capital City Allotment Gardens Gorge Tillicum Urban Farmers Food security is an issue which is growing in the public consciousness, with slow food and the 100 Mile Diet. Also with the move toward apartment living. Two of the community garden groups have a long history. Other groups wish to start community gardens. Some concern that the current allotment size is larger than necessary or appropriate. Also various opportunities, already being piloted by Saanich Parks, to increase the food production in parks, such as through planting fruit trees and inter-planting with vegetables in the flower gardens. Interpretation Organizations Horticulture Centre of the Pacific Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society Parental fear, and the fear of litigation has resulted in no risk taking in most programs for children. These insurance issues must be resolved if progress is to be made in outdoor play and environmental education. This is critical as these attitudes are now inbred in teenagers. The beaches in Saanich are perfect play environments for children and young people. The municipality should support organizations like Scouts and Guides which promote and deliver programs focused on nature and the outdoors. The municipality should promote a more natural approach to playgrounds, and should provide more wild spaces in parks. The municipality should ensure that there are staff trained in outdoor programming. Programming which promotes multi-age groupings should be encouraged.

7 WP#3 Organizational Landscape 7 Serving the Aging Population There are relatively few organizations which support seniors in the community, but Saanich works closely with those organizations, providing facilities and some financial support. The private sector is a major provider of recreation opportunities within privately run residential care facilities for seniors. In many cases, the programming in these facilities tap into municipally provided facilities and programming. Cedar Hill New Horizons Les Passmore Silver Threads Beacon Support Services Goward House Cordova Bay 55+ The majority of seniors do not use seniors centres. Many still recreate and exercise in the ways they always did, be it the gym or golf. Seniors centres serve the over 75 year age group, and as such need to focus on social recreation, including food, and health issues. Partnerships with VIHA need to be expanded. The Cordova Bay centre works well because it is for adults not seniors, and fosters intergenerational linkages. Age friendly is a good concept but needs to be more widely thought through it includes transportation and a broader community concept. The new seniors are going to be very much more demanding than the current generation. The community centres, including the seniors centres, are the best place to offer a range of remedial health programming for stroke, cardio, Alzheimer s, etc. Efforts to reach out to the increasing population of Asian seniors must be made. A new seniors/community centre is required in the Shelbourne corridor. This could be linked to seniors housing.

8 8 Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. Sport Users of Indoor Facilities Saanich has a wide variety of indoor sport organizations. Adult Hockey Leagues Playmakers Hockey Barry O'Bara Ice Hockey BC Tel Hockey Colonial Counter Top Bombers Darrell Richmond Hockey Doug Sadler Ice Hockey Harper Hockey Hockey 101 Mildenberger Ice Hockey Saanich Old Chiefs Saanich Warriors Old Timers Victoria Finishing Stars Victoria Hockey League Victoria Traditionals Hockey Club Youth Hockey Next Level Hockey School Saanich Jr B Hockey Club Saanich Minor Hockey Spectrum School Hockey Academy Lack of ice and ice time. Ice time absorbed by municipal programming, which reduces time available to not-for-profit groups. Need for a leisure ice format addition. Little time available during the day more adults, shift workers, school academies, etc. This reduces the time for casual and HP skating. Poor quality of ice in both arenas. Change rooms are old and poorly maintained. Challenges of finding time for tournaments. Lack of recognition of the economic values these bring. Parking issues. Figure Skating Clubs Racquet Club of Victoria Skating Club Saanich Figure Skating Club Most of the same issues as hockey. Lack of off-ice training spaces, especially since fieldhouse has been renovated. Aquatic Groups Boardworks/Pacific Coast Diving Island Swimming Island Triathlon Oak Bay Orcas Summer Swim Club Pacific Coast Swimming Pacific Sport Synchro Victoria Piranhas Summer Swimming Club Saanich Water Polo School The future of the funding agreement for HP use of Commonwealth Pool. Physical space is problematic change rooms, lack of dryland training area, limited access to the weight room. Impact of new UVic pool. Lack of space during events.

9 WP#3 Organizational Landscape 9 Indoor Sports Basketball Royal Oak Night League Volleyball Top Spin Volleyball Victoria Volleyball South Island Volleyball Martial Arts Victoria Renshikan Karate Ueshiba Aikido Racquet Sports Cordova Bay Badminton Club Pacific Sport Badminton Smash and Splash Cedar Hill Squash Club Other Saanich Lacrosse Saanich Minor Lacrosse Victoria Net Ball Club Falcon Gymnastics Sportball Lack of space/facility availability. This is especially true for child and youth sport, since they are not mobile without their parents. Cost of rental of facilities. Lack of equipment storage spaces. Access to the middle school gyms have added significantly to the capacity of the region. Volleyball s growth is limited while inadequate outdoor facilities (sand courts). Cedar Hill Squash Club is coming to the end of its lease agreement with Saanich. Availability of food services for racquet tournaments is limited. Broader issue is the lack of PE teachers at the middle schools and elementary schools, and the consequent lack of skills in these age groups. Groups investigating the development of a private racquets club. Lack of support from provincial PSO. Better communication between groups could be fostered by the municipality. Should be linkage of LIFE program to sport groups.

10 10 Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. Sport Users of Outdoor Facilities and Parks Saanich has a wide variety of indoor sport organizations. Baseball Carnarvon/Allenby Baseball Gordon Head Baseball Hampton Little League Lakehill Little League Lambrick Baseball Layritz Intermediate BC Minor Baseball Layritz Little League Victoria Maverick Baseball Victoria and District Baseball Greater Victoria Baseball Fastball Gordon Head Fastball Victoria/Saanich Women's Fastball Victoria Womens Fastball League Malibu Motors Fastball Football Rebels Football Victoria Minor Football Lawn Bowling Burnside Lawnbowling Club Gordon Head Lawnbowling Lakehill Lawnbowling Soccer Bay United Soccer Cordova Bay Soccer Club Gordon Head Soccer Club Gorge Soccer Lakehill Soccer Prospect Lake Soccer Club Super Soccer Lower Island Soccer Thrifty Foods Soccer Softball Cordova Bay Softball Greater Victoria Mixed Softball Strawberry Vale Softball Tennis South Island Tennis Saanich Tennis Club Victoria Tennis Club Oak Bay Tennis Club Other Braefoot Community Victoria Athletics Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club Elk Beaver Lake Equestrian Society Cordova Bay Golf Course Greater Victoria Horseshoe Pitching Club Pacific Rim Field Lacrosse South Island Mountain Bike Society Victorienteers Velox Rugby South Island Sailing Sport clubs feel disconnected from Saanich Parks and its staff. They are taking on more responsibilities than they feel is right, and more than in the past. Yet in most cases, their only documentation is an annual permit. An Outdoor Sport Coordinator position is needed. Need for more collaboration among sport groups eg a Gordon Head Sports. Tournaments are not hosted due to the lack of municipal support. Soccer is very dominant other sports feel frozen out, unable to access the artificial turf fields, even though there was municipal money invested. Many sports felt that they needed more/better quality fields/facilities in order to remain healthy organizationally, attract and develop young players, etc. Better quality, lit fields will allow for additional play. Consideration should be given to creating facilities that could host tournaments. An example would be bringing two sets of four courts together in one place. Other sports, such as mountain biking, need more local facilities. Some sports are seeing their memberships decline and the more committed members move to playing in Langford. The one permit holder model works well for both that permit holder and for Saanich but not for other groups. Maintenance levels at parks and fields is declining, and it is the sport groups who must pick up the slack.

11 WP#3 Organizational Landscape 11 Community Arts Groups The arts is an area where the distinctions between private and not-for-profit sectors is particularly confused. Many visual artists sell their works, but few could live off this aspect of their earnings. And the distinction between not-for-profit and private dance schools is non-existent. Visual Arts Art Gallery of Greater Victoria Broadmead & Cordova Bay Artists Cedar Hill Art Club Gordon Head Studio Tour Saanich West Art Tour Scattered Artists Studio Tour Vancouver Island School of Art Vancouver Island Sculptors Guild Victoria Sketch Club Garth Homer Society ArtWorks Island Illustrators Society Creative Peace Mural Society Mosaic The City Community Unity Society Music Music in the Park City of Gardens Chorus Performing Arts St. Luke's Players Kaleidoscope Theatre Victoria Storytellers' Guild Story Theatre Target Theatre Dance Karen Clark Dance Studio Stages Veselka Ukrainian Dance Art Stars Victoria Ballroom Dance Society McGregors' Dance Studio Dansko Studios Wendy Steen-Mitchell Dance Craft Arts Island Artisans Cedar Hill Pottery Club Victoria Handweavers & Spinners Guild South Vancouver Island Potters Guild Arts Organizers Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria artsreach The OCTA Collective Society Lack of display space for visual artists, and general lack of space for most other groups. The traditional spaces of community meeting, such as church halls and school gyms are becoming more difficult to find. Need/desire for an Arts Centre, although the addition to Cedar Hill Recreation Centre will add vital space. Additional support for studio tours, and perhaps more coordination. Lack of respect and credibility for the arts within Saanich. Concern that the municipal contribution to CRD Arts goes almost exclusively to the large theatre and music groups, not to supporting the grass roots of Saanich arts.

12 12 Yates, Thorn & Associates Inc. Community Serving Organizations The recreation needs of those challenged by income, disability, ill health or culture/ethnicity are met and supported by a range of organizations. Health Left Coast Health Promotion Rehabilitation Recreation Integration Victoria MKC Physiotherapy Westcoast Rehab and Conditioning Queen Alexandra Centre Victoria Epilepsy & Parkinson's Society Cultural Inter-Cultural Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Society Many of these groups serve the minorities physically and mentally challenged, and immigrants in the community and serve as an extension to the municipal role. They are well used and supported by the Department, but feel somewhat marginalized. Their services are more based on personal knowledge rather than entrenched into municipal policy. Recent efforts to identify gaps for those with physical challenges, through the Measuring Up funding program, have yet to be fully actioned. This applies to issues such as trail signage, fitness equipment replacement, and many other areas. While there is a regional approach to these issues is notionally in place, but needs to be extended, such as with an overall approach to accessible playgrounds. The municipality should also be manifesting its commitment through its hiring policies; This would involve becoming more proactive, building in additional staff training especially for frontline staff There is a need to continue to broaden the focus and deepen the resource commitment to integration in the community. This would involve becoming more proactive, building in additional staff training especially for frontline staff.