View - The Municipality of Lambton Shores

as it would require numerous staff hours for program preparation, volunteer
recruitment, marketing, scheduling and program supervision. The majority of the
Optimist’s contribution would be used for these efforts, leaving the municipality
responsible for any other expenses that may be incurred.
Direct programming service delivery is not something the municipality has done
in the past, and it is a job that could become more demanding if other groups feel
that the municipality should be assisting them as well. Should Council wish to
take on direct service delivery, we will have to re-examine the scope of the
Facilitator of Recreation and Leisure’s position if it is decided more assistance to
the groups is to be provided.
The Facilitator of Recreation and Leisure is a position that has the grown
tremendously over the last few years, and will continue to do so as more groups
start to rely on more assistance from the municipality to function effectively. As
quoted in the Recreation & Leisure Services Master Plan:
The public has already indicated a desire for a more comprehensive
municipal role in not only assisting local stakeholders but also delivering
direct programming to fill gaps.
Council may need to explore the option of additional staffing in Recreation and
Leisure if this is the direction they would like to see the role take. This is also a
suggestion mentioned in the Master Plan. An assistant could free up time for the
Facilitator to take on programming for community groups, or this could be a task
for the assistant to handle.
Option #4 - No partnership takes place among the above mentioned groups. If
Council should decide not to proceed with any of options #1-3 then it is likely the
Grand Bend Youth Centre will no longer exist.
Staff is seeking Council direction on this matter. The Department feels that there is
enough demand for the type of programming in Grand Bend; it is just a matter of finding
the appropriate way to deliver it.
Respectfully submitted,
Brent Kittmer
Director of Community Services
Report Prepared by Shannon Prout – Acting Facilitator of Recreation & Leisure
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