The Parks and Recreation Master Plan assists the Township of Russell in planning, budgeting and achieving the goals and objectives of the Recreation Department until 2025.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The plan, created in 2015, provides a detailed list of our objectives.

Principles
  1. Equality of access (equitable use and procedures) and efficiency in facility operations and management (including alternative delivery mechanisms).
  2. Effective and efficient service delivery.
  3. The Township should be the provider of first resort for non-private market activities and facilities.
  4. The Township should be the provider of last resort of programs and activities that are adequately provided for in the private and community sectors.
  5. The Township should support non-profit groups providing facilities and/or programs that fulfil a community need and have the capacity to fulfil community needs.
  6. Municipal resources should be used strategically.
  7. Investment in older facilities must be strategic; invest in new where prudent.
  8. The Township should invest in facilities to meet future demand and needs.
  9. Recreation facilities and programming must be accessible by all.
  10. The Township should engage in advocacy and promotion of recreation programs and facilities as a public provider of information.
  11. The Township should provide and support programs that promote health and wellness.
  12. The Township should encourage positive partnerships and alliances.
  13. The Township should partner with developers and members of the community to maximize access to active and passive outdoor recreation spaces.

Goals and Objectives
  1. The Development of infrastructure to enhance quality of life for residents and financial sustainability.
  2. Facilities renewal and investment.
  3. Promote health, wellness and active living.
  4. Make Russell Township a hub for recreation services in the Ontario Municipalities Adjacent to Ottawa (OMATO) region.
  5. Target children and youth through recreation.
  6. Support, promote and partner for access to facilities and programs for older residents.
  7. Develop parks, trails, and open space that maximizes access to active and passive outdoor recreation spaces.

Recommendations

The plan presents 72 recommendations under the following categories:

  1. Programming
  2. Facilities
  3. Partnerships
  4. Funding

You can consult the complete document to familiarize yourself with the recommendations. Here is a list of the most important to date:

1. Programming
  • Recommendation 3: Continue with regular residents surveys to annually assess residents/user needs and required improvements to the Township's recreation service delivery model. Progressively address methods to improve the system over time.
  • Recommendation 5: Explore new programming opportunities for fitness with the development of a new multi-use facility.
  • Recommendation 5: Enhance the Community Portal of the Township's website to provide improved access to information and maximum clarity for recreation.

2. Facilities
  • Recommendation 13: Build a twin indoor ice pad at a Multi-Use Recreation Complex on the municipally owned land at the intersection of Notre Dame St. and St. Guillaume Rd. in Embrun. Maintain the option to expand the twin pad to a three pad in the long-term.
  • Recommendation 16: Consider the benefits of an indoor pool at a Multi-Use Recreation Complex on the municipality owned land at the intersection of Notre Dame St. and St. Guillaume Rd. in Embrun.
  • Recommendation 25: Construct a centrally planned Multi-Use Recreation Complex on the municipality owned land at the intersection of Notre Dame St. and St. Guillaume Rd. in Embrun.
  • Recommendation 26: Build field turf complex as part of a centrally planned Multi-Use Recreation Complex on the municipality owned land at the intersection of Notre Dame St. and St. Guillaume Rd. in Embrun, to be bubbled during the winter to provide a year-round facility.
  • Recommendation 29: Maintain existing ball diamonds, conducting required capital repairs for assets in critical and poor condition.
  • Recommendation 36: Maintain existing tennis courts in good condition for community use.
  • Recommendation 52: Explore possibilities for the expansion of the New York Central Fitness Trail to the north-west of Russell's village.

3. Partnerships
  • Recommendation 58: Continue to support senior-oriented community groups to broaden the variety of programming for this segment of the community.

4. Funding
  • Recommendation 61: Maintain current Facility Allocation Policy.
  • Recommendation 63: Revise the user fee structure on 3-year forward cycles.
  • Recommendation 67: Establish user fee and program fee surcharge for capital reserve.
  • Recommendation 70: Consider the full range of external grant program to assist in financing all aspects of new development.