WESTLOCK — Due to limited interest from the public, a steering committee that will provide input on the development of Westlock County’s recreation needs assessment and facility master plan will now consist of two administration representatives, three councillors and one member of the public instead of the original 2/2/2 composition.
During their May 28 meeting, Westlock County councillors passed a motion to amend the terms of reference for the steering committee, which will hold its first meeting during the first week of June.
If members of the public express more interest in joining the steering committee, one of the councillors may step aside to allow another member of the public to participate.
Just over a month ago, representatives of the consulting firm RC Strategies met with council to outline their strategy for developing the recreation needs assessment and facility master plan, which will guide the delivery of recreation services within the county over the next decade.
Councillors passed a motion during the April 23 meeting approving the terms of reference for the steering committee, which will work with RC Strategies to shape the recreation plan.
Community services co-ordinator Adrienne Finnegan said that administration had since advertised in the Town & Country This Week about the two public positions on the steering committee.
Unfortunately, they had only gotten one application as of May 28. In order to stay on track with the schedule laid out by RC Strategies, administration recommended changing the steering committee to consist of two councillors and two members of administration.
Finnegan said the public will still have many opportunities over the coming months to provide their input.
For instance, a household survey has been developed that will be mailed out to residents in mid-June, though only after it has been reviewed by the steering committee.
That household survey will also be brought by RC Strategies to the county’s two open houses on Tuesday, June 18, at the Pembina Heights Community Hall, and on Thursday, June 20, at the Pickardville Community Hall. Both events will run from 5-7 p.m.
Reeve Christine Wiese said she didn’t like the idea of reducing the steering committee to two councillors and two administration representatives when they had “put it out there” that they were looking for public participation.
“I do still like the surveys. I think that’s important; we need as much feedback as we can on this,” she said.
Wiese suggested that they bring the one applicant on to the steering committee and add one other councillor, recommending that they add deputy reeve Ray Marquette. Wiese and Coun. Francis Cloutier were the other two councillors on the committee.
Coun. Sherry Provencal said she believed that adding another councillor would be all right, noting that if the steering committee was supposed to start meeting next week, then it was necessary to take action that day as opposed to extending the application deadline.
When asked for administration’s input, chief administrative officer Tony Kulbisky indicated he thought that would be fine, noting that he believed more members of the public might want to be part of the steering committee in the near future.
“I think this project will grow late and we will get more community involvement,” he said.
