Councillors favour joint recreation program

by Andy Campbell

Feb 28, 2008

SUNDRIDGE – The municipalities of Sundridge, Strong, Machar and South River still haven’t received word on funding for a shared recreation intern, but the idea of combining – or at least co-ordinating – recreation programs might just proceed in any event.

“I think it’s a good idea, even if we don’t get the intern,” Sundridge councillor Sue Ayotte said at the Feb. 21 meeting of the Central Almaguin Economic Development Association (CAEDA).

Strong councillor Merlyn Snow agreed, pointing out that the Sundridge-Strong recreation committee seems to have become mostly a special events committee, rather than a committee for recreation programs.

“We still do recreation, but it’s special events mostly,” he said.

South River mayor Jim Coleman said that getting more kids out to programs will provide more opportunities for the committee. He suggested that some things should be consolidated, pointing out that many Sundridge youngsters sign up for sports in South River, while the reverse is true for some things in Sundridge.

“All that stuff should be together, I think,” said Machar mayor Harvey Pinkerton.

“I think more and more we’re going to have to start working together,” agreed Snow.

Sundridge mayor Elgin Schneider suggested that a first step might be for one or two members of each committee to meet monthly and co-ordinate their efforts. Schneider also believed that some communication and joint planning would benefit not just the municipalities, but the churches and service groups as well, allowing them to schedule around each other’s events and avoid conflicts that split attendance.

Ayotte suggested that service groups could be invited to send representatives to the joint meetings.

“Let’s see what happens with the intern first,” said Schneider.

While the municipalities wait for word on their recreation intern, CAEDA also has an application under consideration for an intern to work on economic development.