Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney, from left, Amanda Springer, Renfrew's manager of environmental services, and Terry Edwards of the Ma-te-Way Aquatic Centre Development Project, at Monday's open house event. (Photo by Sherry Haaima)
About 40 Town of Renfrew residents took advantage of a recent opportunity to review and provide feedback on three major draft master plans and there’s still time to have your say.
Officials are pleased with the turnout at an event Monday at the Renfrew Public Library that featured draft master plans for Arts, Heritage and Culture; Parks and Recreation; and Waterfront. Residents were invited to share comments and feedback with municipal officials and consultants in attendance.
“Many priorities were identified, and residents were also good to share comments and feedback with the town and consultants who were there, which was excellent,” said Hannah MacMillan, Renfrew’s communications and engagement co-ordinator.
Residents are still invited to provide feedback, she noted. Consultants will be compiling that data.
It’s the town’s first-ever Arts, Heritage, and Cultural Master Plan.
“It’s a very exciting time right now as the town takes proactive steps towards enhancing our community’s vitality and identity through these master plans,” said Kelly Latendresse, director of community and recreation services. “By engaging our residents and stakeholders in the planning process we ensure that these initiatives truly reflect the diverse needs and cultural heritage of our community.”
Officials say they recognized the need for an updated Parks and Recreation Master Plan, building on the foundation established in the previous 2010 Master Plan and identifying strategies to overcome barriers, foster partnerships, and maximize the utilization of existing and future resources. The new master plan aligns with priorities and projects in the Waterfront Master Plan, in an effort to ensure a cohesive approach to community development.
The full draft plans will be made available for the public to review on the town website in the coming days.
Residents and users who are still wishing to provide feedback for the master plans are invited to submit written comments to:
- Parks and Recreation Master Plan, Waterfront Master Plan: Amanda Springer aspringer@renfrew.ca
- Arts, Heritage and Cultural Master Plan, Kelly Latendresse Kelly Latendresse klatendresse@renfrew.ca
“We thank participants and stakeholders for their feedback on these important documents as we focus on the future,” said Mayor Tom Sidney.
The final master plans are scheduled to be presented to council in August 2024.
(Written by Sherry Haaima)