10 September 2007

36 ideas for improving our recreation opportunities

The Art's Culture and Recreation committee has approved a plan to guide council's the management and development of the city's recreation centres over the next ten years.

The plan aims to encourage communities to get involved and lead healthier lifestyles by improving facilities and participation at six council-owned and five partner-managed recreation centres. The plan's 36 actions will be implemented over the next decade and include:

* introducing free or low-cost casual access to recreation centres to encourage participation by all members of the community

* providing activities for young people to help them form healthy lifestyles, build their self-esteem and connect with the community

* trialling a targeted programme at the Otahuhu Recreation and Youth Centre using innovative and accessible programmes to meet the diverse needs of the Otahuhu community

* identifying available space in council and non-council venues to alleviate peak-time pressures and demands on the existing recreation centre network

* providing activities for all age groups to promote life-long activity.

Councillor Penny Sefuiva, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee, says it is important for people in all areas to have access to quality indoor recreation facilities and activities.

"This plan has identified gaps in the city's recreation centre provision and centres that need improving. It provides clear direction on how to address these issues so we can ensure that future generations will have the facilities they need to lead healthy and active lifestyles," she says.

Developed in consultation with the community, regional sports organisations and leisure facility operators, the plan's goals are to:

* provide a sustainable network of quality recreation centres that meet the needs of a changing and diverse population by upgrading and extending existing facilities and investigating the provision of new centres in areas without them

* enable participation at recreation centres by addressing barriers such as affordability and transport connections, and offering programmes that attract all members of the community

* increase awareness and use of recreation centres through the introduction and promotion of activities relevant to different members of the community and by providing introductory sessions and outreach opportunities at other locations

* ensure effective management of the recreation centres by establishing an annual operators forum that enables knowledge and best practice sharing, and continually measures operator performance and customer satisfaction.

The council-owned centres covered in the plan are the Ellerslie Recreation Centre, the Lagoon Stadium, the Lynfield Recreation Centre, the Mt Albert Community and Recreation Centre, the Otahuhu Recreation and Youth Centre and the Sir William Jordan Recreation Centre.

The ASB Stadium, Avondale College Stadium, Tamaki College Community and Recreation Centre, the Waiheke Recreation Centre and Youthtown, are the partner-managed centres covered in the plan.

ENDS

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