As a long-time resident of our community with a lifetime involvement in community and post-secondary sport, I have observed that our city faces many challenges for facilities and services in this time of restraint.
With respect to sport and recreation, these challenges are enhanced by the relatively young age of our population and the growth of our city over the last decade. I applaud the City of Red Deer on the revitalized Dawe Centre and how expanded programs help meet the recreational and sport needs of many residents.
But already program development and program access is being limited by financial challenges at the municipal and personal level.
Our city council, managers, and educational leaders are faced with demands for access to facilities and increased program opportunities from recreational-level users, emerging athletes and masters level sport. These multiple demands, each with merit, require considered thought and solid long term planning.
In the past we have called sport groups together in the immediate facility planning process; but our community requires a long term sport and recreation plan.
To assist with the planning and prioritization process I would strongly urge all community sport organizations (in excess of 80 groups), educational sport providers and sport advocates to join forces to promote and advocate for healthy lifestyle opportunities in our community.
The Sport Council of Red Deer (SCORD), which was formed in 2008, could be a wonderful vehicle to assist with developing a serious, long term plan to help grow sport opportunities at all skill and age levels as well as contributing to the health and vibrancy of our community.
Sport Councils in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge fill such a role in their cities.
Presently the Red Deer Sport Council membership consists of roughly twenty-five percent of the total possible eighty sport associations.
We in sport need to get together at a common table; to educate each other of our sport’s needs and to develop common, mutually respectful strategies that will enhance our community’s capacity to deliver sport for all.
Our municipal, educational and secondary post-secondary decision-makers would benefit and gladly receive input from a common, co-ordinated voice in developing facility and programming strategies.
In closing I would remind readers of the upcoming celebration of community sport achievement hosted by the Sport Council and the Red Deer Advocate on February 26th.
For further information on the Banquet and to learn about SCORD contact: www.scord.ca or Rob Meckling at 403-309-8541.
Allan Ferchuk
Red Deer County