Moving forward

MacPherson Roche Smith works with residents, stakeholders and user groups in Stratford to identify recreational and cultural facility needs in the community

The Town of Stratford is looking into what kind of recreational and cultural facilities it will need to serve its rapidly growing population.

The town has engaged MacPherson Roche Smith, which met with 30 to 35 stakeholders and user groups in the community (identified by the Town of Stratford) and conducted an online resident survey with 273 participants. It also had a public meeting at the Stratford Town Centre in December. Approximately 25 residents attended that meeting.

“I’m always impressed with Stratford,” said Keith Hansen, senior consultant with MacPherson Roche Smith. “Stratford seems to have a more engaged citizenry than some of the other municipalities I’ve worked in. They seem to be able to get people out, and people are engaged in the process.”

Hansen said, so far, two themes have emerged: the need for a multi-use, multigenerational facility and the need for these kinds of spaces to be clustered in a central location.

Stakeholders and user groups say that any investments made by the Town of Stratford should be for a multi-use facility that can be used by different demographics for a variety of activities. Some suggestions included a new library, a new arts centre or a new youth group space.

“Something for the whole family to enjoy,” said Hansen.

Respondents also said they would like to see a “clustering” of facilities. They would like to see a hub for municipal facilities and activities that are centralized and accessible.

“This is very much step one in the process for the town,” said Hansen. “They recognize that some of their facilities are at end of their life, that some of their facilities are experiencing capacity issues and that they need to start beginning to plan for replacement or an addition of these facilities.”

Hansen said the firm’s job was to conduct research around how Stratford uses the facilities already available, the type of shape they are in, registration numbers for programs and the needs of residents, stakeholders and user groups.

MacPherson Roche Smith will compile this information and give it to the town as an informative document to help guide them in the next stages of the process.

Hansen said it’s important for municipalities to do their research when it comes to planning for the future, especially when it comes to investing in larger capital items.

“If you are going to make that type of investment with taxpayers’ dollars, you are going to want to make sure it is based on sound information and planning.”

Hansen expects to have the final report, including some recommendations, complete by the end of January.