2. How important do you feel creating affordable access to all forms of recreation is? What programs are you aware are available and do you have suggestions for enhancement and linkages?
Responses from Candidates for Mayor...in order of reception.
Harvey C. Villneff
Affordable access is what we all would like to have for our Sports and Recreation centres however the costs of maintaining these complexes are high. This puts the City in a catch 22 position, raise the costs and no one can afford it, therefore if no one can afford it, it doesn’t get used, and becomes an even larger liability. User fees are the only way a city can manage to keep complexes running. I would like to see that we keep these costs at a manageable level. Access for everyone may not always be attainable as much as we may try to make it so.
Valerie Chadbourne
I am aware of affordable recreation access efforts being made on a few fronts and hope to see this effort continue to develop to greater involvement in the future through community sponsorship initiatives for example.
A data base for these opportunities should be available on the City of North Bay web site, with a contact available to make it easier for the community to get involved in this and other evolving community initiatives.
Al McDonald
We can have all the programs we want but if only a percentage of our citizens can afford to take part, then I believe we will not be successful and as well, we will not get true community support. Kidsport is a great example of a group that is helping.
The ski exchange is making cross country and down hill skiing affordable. We need to have similar programs for all sports, so that equipment can be sold, so that new individuals have access to affordable equipment and those that have sold can replace their equipment and/or get some of their purchase costs returned. This benefits everyone. We could have equipment exchanges for all sports where the cost of equipment is expensive. It is important to have affordable access to sports, so no one is left behind. We also need to have a "One Stop" sports and recreation website that our community can visit and get all the information they need including costs, schedules, requirements, equipment and contacts so their questions can be answered. All sports can be represented on this website. I have found for an example, that the perception was down hill skiing was expensive. You could purchase all your equipment from the ski exchange for 100.00 and a day pass on the hill was 25.00 for full day or half day for 20.00. Children under 5 ski for free. This is just one example.
Responses from Candidates for Councillor...in order of reception.
Mike Anthony
I feel affordable access is very imprtant; BUT there are also financial needs and costs to run the recreation system that have to be considered. After 10 years on council; I've learned that it is almost always a question of "balance".
I think the best approach to this question--and this entire issue--will involve various groups working together. After the next council gets it's bearings and settles in; I think we could have staff engage community groups; parents; families; LIPI (low income people involvement); Big Brothers & Sisters etc...as well as any other groups/stakeholders. We would be able to brainstorm and gather information...which in turn would give us a "baseline" on what we're doing well; and even more importantly : where we need improvement.
As the city budget is already tight; we will have to be creative in using or creating programs. First off; we must take advantage of our GAP officer (Grant Accessing program) to seek out any and all federally and provincially funded programs that are aimed at making sport/recreation available to all people. We should apply for every grant or program we can; and although we won't win them all; we'll see some benefits for sure!
Secondly; I think we need to look for inventive partnerships where interested groups want to assist. Despite tight economics there are still companies out there with a budget for charity or community investment. To show what can be done; let me remind you of a project from a few years back. This example involves the idea of bus-passes for war veterans. By being innovative; it helped us find a sponsor company to cover the cost of bus passes for the veterans. The company got great media coverage; the veterans got their passes, and the city budget wasn't stretched further. I think we could at least try to use a similar approach in looking for ways to make affordabel receration more of an option in our community.
Thanks for the opportunity to comment on these issues!!
Michael J. Phillips
Affordable access is a priority. The large portion of the North Bay population is middle to low earners. We are taxes the 5th highest in Canada, due mainly to poor budget planning by the current council.
- Median total income of persons 15 years of age and over ($): 20,802
- Median family income ($) All census families: 53,668
- Average value of dwelling ($): 160,000
- % of the population with a university certificate, diploma or degree: 50.7
(taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Bay,_Ontario)
There are several programs available, a quick google search can locate many of them, too many to list here. I would be willing to spend time reviewing any programs with anyone who has specific questions, and how we can deliver them better to the community.
Peter Chirico
Access to affordable recreation programs is important to our community. At present there are various groups that provide assistance to families in need. To list a few:
YMCA
Tim Hortons
Canadian Tire
LIPI
DNSSAB
North Bay Baseball Association
North Bay Youth Soccer Club
West Ferris Minor Hockey
Lakers Lacrosse
The City of North Bay continues to work with all groups to ensure that no one is excluded. I believe that organizations such as Sport North Bay, has done a great job in communicating to the general public, that there are avenues for families needing assistance. City Parks Recreation and Leisure Services are open for business and have developed linkages throughout the community.
I trust the above information assists. If any further information is required please do not hesitate to call.
Peter Chirico
Deputy Mayor
City of North Bay
705-494-7719
peter.chirico.ca
Sarah Campbell
The City's revenue for the Total Operating Costs for Sports and Recreation is very low. l believe around 25% of the Total Cost. The programs and the costs to run are 75% covered by the City Taxpayer.
Sport North Bay Programs for other funding have come through the District Social Services Administration Board on a budget line through the children's tax rebate line. I have sat on those Boards and Committees dealing with that budget line LIPI also has a program it assists with disadvantaged children into Team Sports.
I am very aware of the Sports Programs the City has to offer in all its facilities, infrastructure and services, and yes they are all very important.
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Access to all sports within this City is very important and Sport is very important to a young child to get them confident within themselves, making connections and learning to play by rules of fairness. Discipline, and a healthy body and equality are essential in the development of a child. It was described by my Son as the best high in life that you could get....there was no need for anything else if one could get into Sport. In fact the only down time came when the season ended and before the next season began. He is now 25 years old and he said this the other day on looking abroad for advancement into his field of work. He was searching out the Country of choice by their ice rinks for playing hockey! He knows he can go anywhere in the world and feel he belongs, because of his ability to play sports. Sports enables him to get connected to new people in a new environment. I think he sums up for me just how important Sports are in the life of a person. My childhood was packed with Sports play. it lifts the spirits, it tones the body, it clears the mind, it introduces you to new friends and it teaches discipline and rules. It distracts you from negative environments.. Finally it develops lasting relationships and gives you that sense of belonging no matter where you go in this world.
That's how valuable Sport is to me and my children now young adults and still searching out facilities World Wide! I never underestimate the value of Team Sports and Recreation.
Submitted by Sarah Campbell in response to questions from Sport North Bay.
Derek Shogren
As General Mgr. of Canadian Tire we are actively involved with Kidsport which gives kids whose parents would not usually be able to afford to enroll their children in organized sports the opportunity to. We have been able to pay for thousands of children to register for sports this way. Many of them right here in North Bay. We raise money every year through our foundation and have taken a leadership role in this throughout our communities and it is something I feel very passionate about. The federal govt offers a credit for parents to help pay for some of the costs associated with enrolling your children in sports and the province has recently followed suit in a small way and I believe these programs need to be continued and ensure parents are aware of them. We need to look at every program available and ensure the message is getting out to parents to take advantage of them and we need to encourage private sector business to get involved financially to help our kids. Derek Shogren,
Jamie Lyle
It's very important that as recreation becomes less important to the education system that the municipality pick up it's fair share to support local residence in pursuing the recreation and health goals. I'm aware of Kid's Sport, and I think many good things and fun come from it. I have heard of after school programs as well. I was a long time Ringette player and my dad and brother's were hockey refs in the days of the Centennials so I am aware of many of the challenges you face with sport funding and facilities in North Bay.
Sean Lawlor
Healthy Active Living needs to be viewed as a right of citizens and not a luxury. Grass roots programs such as the after school programs and the early years programs need to continue and be expanded. Partnerships with key community partners such as the school boards and the YMCA need to continue and to grow. Skill development is lacking and needs to be supported.
Our community used to be known as a great host site for athletic competitions and we seem to have drifted away from that. More support for volunteer organizations in terms of training and development and more of a lead role by the City will allow us to get back to the standard we used to have.
With an aging population and the impact that recreation has on the physically challenged, I would be curious to find out what we are doing to enhance opportunities for these segments of the population.
Perhaps it is time for us to engage all segments of the population in the development of a long term plan to set out a path for North Bay to grow as a Healthy Active Community.
George Maroosis
Affordable access to recreation and sport programs is absolutely necessary.. I am aware of several excellent programs, CTC Jump Start, Kids Sport, YMCA Strong Kids, Recreation and Community Fund a DNSSAB program administrated by LIPI. As the Chair as LIPI I know that there is cooperation and joint funding at times. This could however be more formalized.
Tanya Vrebosch
It’s extremely important to have affordable access to all forms of recreation. Right now we have LIPI’s Recreation and Community Fund and the Children’s Emergency Fund, KidSport, Canadian Tire Jump Start (that goes through KidSport) YMCA’s subsidy program, assistance from non-profits and charities and the sports leagues themselves that help out their players/students. So, we do have affordable access but it’s also about making sure that everyone knows that we have this affordable access. I work at LIPI and am very familiar with their programs – we work very closely with KidSport and partner with them (especially for hockey – registration alone is more then the annual allocation per child) and we do things that they don’t cover such as high school sports and recreational activities that aren’t considered sports (horseback riding, cubs, scouts, archery etc). Where we have some problems is affordable recreation for adults – there are no programs that I know of that subsidize adult recreation unless it’s from within their league/team – although LIPI does help with YMCA Family passes so that parents can access the YMCA with their children. Word of mouth, collaborating with existing supports as well as networking with schools, sports teams/leagues needs to continue to create awareness. There’s a meeting on Nov 7th that involves KidSport, LIPI and a few others to discuss this very issue and to see what’s if anything is lacking. But again, where the gap is, is adults… something to think about, but currently no funds out there to support it. Also, transportation is a barrier – organizations will pay for the registration, equipment etc but not the transportation.
Maureen Bolt
Affordable access is implied in my answer above, as local residents will be able to participate in additional outdoor venues.
I am not aware of many available programs that allow affordable access and look forward to rational possibilities.
This is a concern as our region has 2.5 times the provincial average of morbid obesity. Our low average household income levels also impact the health of our citizens.
Craig Bridges
Affordability is the key to participation and unfortunately economic realities act as the greatest barriers for many of our families. I am aware of a few local initiatives that help offset the cost of team sports for kids, but they do not have the resources to do it all. We should look at programs like Larry Tougas’s baseball team and try to use them as templates to be repeated for other programs. There are programs in other cities that have exchange programs for used sports equipment and bicycles that are donated and refurbished if necessary before being redistributed to meet the needs of the community. North Bay should investigate these programs and adopt the best practices of the programs that already exist.
Sharon Langley
I have choosen to answer your questionnaire with a personal point of view.
Sports are a maturing tool for children.It teaches them the core values they will need in life.Teamwork,value of hard work,respect for authority,fair play are a few examples of the benefits of sports involvement.
Many studies refer to the positive aspects of sports engagement.Sports is the onset and beginnings of community engagement.Children who are engaged in sports programs stay in school longer ,interact better with their peers,and have a starting sense of community belongingness.
North Bay is fortunate enough to have wonderful sport programs administered and run by dedicated and talented volunteers.I have been a volunteer for years participating in the bingo event and fund raising activities.The ongoing building of our volunteer program is essential for good outcome.
If elected to city council I will continue to support sports programs,work hard to ensure our facilities are properly administered and most of all funded
Sports are part of our Social Fabric and add balance to a healthy commumity.I thank you.Sharon Langley.
David Briggs
I am aware of the current programs designed to subsidize the cost of playing organized sports for youth, and agree that it is a truly valuable program. Recreation is important at all ages, and this program allows those without the financial resources to participate in these sports the opportunity to do so.
Furthermore, I wish to look into more after school programs where recreation is at the forefront of the programming. A few schools currently have afternoon and evening programs for youth; I want to create programs (and not just for youth) that provides them with a low-cost alternative to gym memberships and the like. They could simply drop in for a game of basketball or floor hockey.
Clayton Windatt
Local pride in all areas of community activity is extremely important. Recreational events have to be publicized and generate a large amount of attention to keep local support and enthusiasm at its needed level. Keeping recreational services affordable is critical as enthusiasm drops dramatically when high fees are involved. I think that the sports services for children and youths in our area are very well supported. I have four children and like that there is a lot available for them.
I enjoy the idea of creating more linkages or cross promotions between the recreation sector and the cultural sector. This may bring in new audiences and connect activities to community groups that were not aware of services available.
Cross-promotion, community collaboration and partnership opportunities will lead to increased participation and attention.
Thanks for your time,
-Clayton Windatt
Mac Bain
As a member of the Board of Health for the past 7 years and the Chair for the last 4, I am aware of the benefits of recreation for children.
Eliminating the barriers to allow all children to participate is paramount.
The Federal and Provincial governments are continuing to work with partners to address this issue. The DSSAB and groups they fund continue to assist kids to get involved, and the City helps fund the DSSAB. We have to keep working together and keep encouraging kids to get out of the house and play.
Dave Mendicino
I believe it is extremley important to create affordable access to recreation, that is why in 2007, i became chair of kidsport, an organization that provide's financial assistance to families that could not otherwise afford to put there kid's in organized sport. Since 2007, we have expanded the number of sport activities that we fund and i am proud to say that in 2009 we where just under 200 families served and we will easily be over the 200 mark in 2010. Over the last 7 year's we have also created youth center's at some of our playground's and the city play's a key role in delivering the After School Program. Both these intitiative's centre around creating affordable access to recreation. thank you.
Daryl Vaillancourt
I don’t believe that money should be a barrier to recreation. I am keenly aware of the work of Kid Sport North Bay and I’m a strong advocate for their program.
I also think that social service providers should take a serious look at offering funding for those youth that want to participate in sport.
BJ Szabicot
It is critically important to make sure recreational opportunities are available to all city residents - regardless of income or social status. I am aware of "KidSport" and the crucial role it plays in ensuring youth access to organized physical activity year-round. Since I know that physical skill development in the young is a big factor in their success in later life, I see KidSport as helping to ensure the city's future health and well being by ensuring our kid's participation in physical activities. I believe KidSport and other programs of their ilk are doing a wonderful job (given the funding challenges they typically face) and can only encourage organizations such as these to continue and hopefully strengthen their programs as time passes.
Judy Koziol
Affordable access is the key to not only a healthy community now, but in the long term. Affordable access at a young age creates a desire in later years for facilities. So in essence these investments are reaping a greater rate of return.
Investments in affordability programs are already in place through the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board as well as Low Income People Involvement. The City also has several youth engagement programs.
However any offerings must also be affordable to the taxpayer.
Unlimited offerings of any and all activities must be tempered. | 
