Indoor Recreation Facilities Study

In 2008, the City of Hamilton prepared a strategy for managing its portfolio of major recreation infrastructure, formally referred to as the Use, Renovation and Replacement Study for Hamilton Recreation and Public-use Facilities. This long-range study identified factors impacting the use and condition of current facilities, examined future facility needs, and proposed a series of recommendations for the future renewal, repurposing, and development of Community/Recreation Centres, Indoor Pools, Seniors’ Centres, Arenas, Community Halls, and Outdoor Pools.

Facilities that are accessible, efficient, and high quality help to foster active, engaged, and healthy residents

The City has made good progress with a number of the Study’s recommendations, while others have proved to be more challenging for a variety of reasons. Given changes in community composition, development patterns, activity trends, and facility requirements, the time has come for the Study to be updated. An updated strategy will provide City Council with a framework to guide future facility investment decisions.

The first phase of work will help us to understand the key trends and factors that have changed since the 2008 was prepared. This will be accomplished largely through input from the public and local stakeholders. Future phases of work will result in a re-imagined strategy for the management and future provision of major recreation facilities. A separate strategy relative to outdoor parks facilities and sports fields was prepared in 2011 and is not part of this initial scope of work.

Stoney Creek Rec Centre

Westmount Rec Centre

Harry Howell Arena

Norman Pinky Lewis Rec Centre

Recent accomplishments

Indoor Recreation Facilities Study – Public Engagement Program

Residents and stakeholders were invited and encouraged to provide input in the following ways:

Fall 2015:

• Questionnaires were distributed to local stakeholders and users of major City recreation facilities;
• Random sample telephone survey of Hamilton residents conducted to better understand resident needs and priorities

February 2016:

• Public information sessions were held across the City.
• Phase 1: Public Information Centre presentation & display boards (PDF, 3 MB) provides information about public engagement opportunities, what we heard about recreation during Our Future Hamilton activities and details from the household telephone survey results.

The Indoor Recreation Facilities Study was received by members of the Emergency and Community Services Committee on September 12, 2016.

September 12, 2016 agenda Item 7.1 includes:

• Use, Renovation and Replacement Study for Hamilton Recreation and Public-Use Facilities (Indoor Study) Phase 1 Update (ECS07068(d)) (City Wide)
• Appendix A to Report ECS07068(d) - Indoor Recreation Facilities Study Update (Phase 1)

Key findings will be used to inform the next Phase of the Indoor Recreation Facilities Study which will begin next year, 2017.

If you would like to be notified for the next phase of the Indoor Study Update, please contact Sarah Cellini by phone or email.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this study or ways that you can provide input, please contact:

Sarah Cellini
Phone: 905-546-2424 ext. 3859
Email: sarah.cellini@hamilton.ca