Joint Community Services strategic plans reaches half way point

Project sponsors Christopher Read and Jim Desautels report that the response to the public engagement process has been strong. 789 households responded to the survey, available online from both municipal websites and paper-based copies completed at Open Houses and the Edson Trade show. Early analysis shows that respondents represented a broad geographic spectrum. This represents 554 households from Edson, 226 from the County, and 9 from outside the two municipalities or unidentifiable.

In addition, a number of focus group meetings were held with participants including key stakeholders (e.g. library, arts and culture, recreation, and museum/archives), and staff members. Telephone interviews were conducted with 15 representatives of community services partners, such as schools, industry, social services, and business.

Written submissions were received from six organizations.

The consultant team from WMC, Edmonton is currently analyzing the data gathered to determine outcomes in a number of key areas. These include reported usage rates for facilities and programs; the number of households that use each facility; patterns of usage; demographics of participants etc.; and suggested areas for investment.

An Open House has been scheduled for May 31, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. in the Galloway Station Museum to gather final input for the project, as well as share the early results of the analysis.

The final report containing recommendations will be presented to the two municipal councils in September 2017.