Since April 3, the Greater Vernon Recreation Master Plan process has been in the surveying and interview phase. A household survey is currently online and open to citizens in the Greater Vernon area including Vernon, Coldstream, Area B and Area C. The April 30, deadline to take the survey is fast approaching.
The public can visit www.gvrec.ca/recmasterplan to find out more about the plan and to take the online survey. “To date we have received approximately 350 online surveys and 50 hard copies of the survey”, said Doug Ross, Director of Recreation Services. “We would really like to see those numbers climb by April 30."
In addition to the open public survey, in February 7,500 household surveys were mailed out randomly. The mail out was done as a control group to provide statistically reliable information. The consultants reported that 1,236 or 16.5% of the control surveys were completed.
Another priority for the plan is connecting with youth. Recreation staff hosted interactive opportunities for students in the high schools and at Okanagan College to provide input on the plan. “We got some great feedback. Our suggestion boards were full of ideas after each visit,” said Ross. Students were also encouraged to fill out an online youth survey.
Consultants also conducted in-person interviews meeting with over 50 key stakeholder groups to gain a better understanding of the groups’ current status and future needs for recreation. Close to 70 stakeholder groups were also invited to complete a stakeholder’s survey. The deadline to complete the stakeholder survey is May 15.
The Recreation Master Plan is being developed for the Greater Vernon area. The Master Plan will be used by the Greater Vernon jurisdictions as decisions are made about recreation facilities, active lifestyle opportunities, and recreation services over the next fifteen years.
Photo caption: Suggestion board after Seaton School visit.
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