Piney Seeks Input to Create “Roadmap” for Recreation

By Dan Guetre

Everyone living in the RM of Piney is invited to have their opinion heard when it comes to recreation goals and priorities within the municipality over the next two decades.

The RM of Piney is undertaking a comprehensive Recreation Plan,” said Martin Van Osch, CAO of the RM of Piney. “Although recreation is vibrant in our communities, the municipality lacks a comprehensive plan that assesses current infrastructure and projected recreational needs to guide future programming decisions and capital improvement planning.”

Van Osch defines the creation of an RM of Piney Recreation Plan a roadmap for the region to establish goals and priorities for the next twenty years.

The municipality has added a survey to their website and hope they will receive plenty of feedback.

“The Recreation Master Plan survey is intended to elicit responses from stakeholders as to their sense of leisure and recreation in the region including issues such as things that may be lacking and the desired state of current and potential future facilities and programs that may be suitable for the RM of Piney,” explained Van Osch. “For the purposes of this survey, ‘stakeholders’ include current officials responsible for recreation in the region, policy makers involved in the delivery of programs and, the public and endusers who may or may not utilize recreation programs and facilities.”

To get the most out the survey, the municipality has brought in consultants to compile the results.

“The consulting team is using several different methods of community consultation,” said Van Osch. “The survey is designed to provide the widest reach possible so every citizen in the RM of Piney has a chance to provide their valuable input on the direction of recreation planning in the community.”

Responses will be compiled and the overall needs and desires of the community at-large will be assessed based on the responses received via the survey,” he added and for this reason, he stressed public participation in the survey is key.

Van Osch anticipates that a draft summary report on the results of the survey will be delivered to the RM of Piney in June, 2023.

Currently, the RM of Piney is working on a recreation inventory within the municipality, include physical assets and services. They are also compiling demographic data related to the use of the current facilities and have met with various organizations within the municipality to discuss the resources and activities they make available. To make sure they are on the right track, for a complete perspective, they are reviewing other jurisdictions that have completed their own plans.

The final deadline is March 15 to provide feedback via the online survey. A draw for the three Co-Op gift cards as an incentive to participate in the study will take place by the end of March.

Dawson Trail Dispatch February 2023

About Us current Programs

Pat Porter Active Living Centre (Serving Seniors Inc.) is a non-profit organization that provides programs, activities and services for seniors and members of the community. Seniors are the foundation of our community and our goal is to keep them a part of it for as long as possible. Read on to find out about everything we offer and how we can help you. Check out our Website for Programs & Events – patporteralc.com. Our Centre offers a great variety of events and programming weekly. Ranging from Fitness Programs to Recreational and Social Programs, there is something for everyone!

Cost is $2 for members and $4 for nonmembers. * Programs are subject to change

Morning Walking: Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 9 am.

Coffee Corner: Monday – Friday, 10 am -12 pm.

Pickleball: Monday – Friday, 9 - 10:3 0am.

Beginner Pickleball: Monday – Friday, 10:30 am- 12 pm, Tuesday 2 - 3:30 pm, Wednesday 1 - 3 pm (1 court) and 4 – 6 pm, Friday 1 - 3:30 pm.

Evening Pickleball: Monday, 7:30 – 9:30 pm.

Badminton: Monday – Friday, 12 -1 pm.

Registration required at patporteralc. com.

Cards: Card games are played Monday to Friday from 1 - 4 pm.

Fitness Classes

Laughter Yoga: Monday, 1 - 2 pm.

Fitness Drumming: Tuesday, 1 - 1:45 pm.

Pace: Wednesday, 1 - 1:45 pm.

Floor Curling: Wednesday, 1 - 3:30 pm.

Yoga with Carrie: Friday, 9 – 10:30 am.

Old Time Country Jam: Wednesday, 7 - 9 pm.

Craft Corner: Friday 1 - 3 pm.

Choir: Wednesday, 10 - 11:30 am.

Square Dancing: Tuesday 7 pm – 9 pm.

Steinbach Rockin’ Rollers

Sunday 5 - 7 pm. A fun new roller-skating program is now being offered at the Centre. All skill levels and ages welcome, and