West Shore Parks & Recreation Society Seeks Consultant for Recreation Master Plan
The West Shore Parks & Recreation Society (WSPRS), in collaboration with the five municipal owners, has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a qualified consultant to assess the community’s growing recreational needs. As the Westshore region continues to expand, the demand for improved recreational and sports facilities has increased. The Recreation Master Plan will provide a strategic framework to address these needs and guide the region’s recreational development.
The Westshore is experiencing significant population growth, driving increased demand for recreational services and facilities. While each municipality within the region has historically managed its own recreation needs, aside from the facilities operated by WSPRS, there is now broad recognition that a unified strategic approach coordinated across municipal borders is essential to meet the evolving needs of the community.
In discussions amongst Westshore mayors and Chief Administrative Officers, there is broad agreement that recreation planning should be done collaboratively. This approach would ensure that the region has sufficient facilities that are properly located to serve the community without unnecessarily duplicating capacity. Importantly, it recognizes that Westshore residents often disregard municipal boundaries when choosing which facilities to use, highlighting the need for a region-wide perspective on recreational services.
The Recreation Master Plan aims to address these challenges by evaluating existing recreational assets, forecasting future needs, and providing recommendations for the strategic expansion of facilities and services.
“The undertaking of the master plan process highlights the exceptional collaboration between the 5 Westshore municipalities and will provide the community the opportunity to shape the next 10-20 years of recreational and sporting opportunities on the West Shore.”, remarked Grant Brown, WSPR Chief Administrative Officer.
Scope of Work The selected consultant will be responsible for conducting a detailed inventory of existing recreational facilities within the Westshore and evaluating future requirements based on public consultations, input from major sports organizations and an analysis of best practices in community recreation planning.
Key deliverables include, but are not limited to:
- Current parks and recreation facility inventory on the Westshore
- An assessment of future recreational needs based on public and stakeholder consultations
- Forecasting of population growth and demographics over a 10-20 year horizon
- Suggested operating models for any new facilities
- General cost estimates for facility development and operational needs
- Options for operational agreements guiding the addition and funding of new facilities
- Recommendations for WSPRS organizational structure adjustments to meet future growth
Expected Outcomes The Recreation Master Plan will provide WSPRS Staff and Board with a clear understanding of existing assets, future recreational requirements and operational models to ensure efficient service delivery across the region. The plan will emphasize regional collaboration to prevent duplication of facilities, ensure consistent service quality, and promote operational and financial efficiencies.