Culture & Recreation Department Overview and Core Businesses
The Culture and Recreation Department conducts operations in four distinct areas including Administration; Facilities (Arena and Sportsplex); Adult, Fitness, Summer and Special Recreation Programmes; and Aquatics and Youth Recreation Programmes.
The Culture and Recreation Department’s core business includes:
- Provision of direct recreation programming and membership opportunities for residents and nonresidents in areas such as aquatics, day camps, preschool programs, child-care, children/youth programs and adult / older adult general interest programs, training programs, indoor climbing, weight training, indoor track programs and land and aqua fitness.
- Membership and program opportunities continue to be enhanced and are highlighted through the Department’s bi-annual Leisure Guide publication.
- Management of indoor and outdoor recreation facilities including the Bracebridge Sportsplex, Memorial Arena and Skatepark, Bird’s Mill Mews, Kerr Park Chalet, tennis courts and other outdoor facilities, Kelvin Grove Park and tennis courts, Gostick Park, Bracebridge Resource Management Centre, Jubilee Park and Diamonds, and Memorial Park Bandshell.
- The Department is also the lead on the development of new facilities including the Peake Fields at Verena Acres Ball Diamond Complex, and special projects at Bracebridge Public Library and Woodchester Villa.
- Involvement in a number of community based special events that promote physical activity and play a supportive role to larger events as they arise such as the 2010 Ontario Winter Games and the HSBC Multi-sport Triathalons. The Department actively participates in the development of sport tourism in Bracebridge.
- Staff support is also provided to a wide variety of rental based events such as hockey tournaments, swim / gymnastics meets, and large trade shows such as the Muskoka Home Builders’ Annual Show, etc.
- The Department often acts as a support organization or partner for various community organizations including sports clubs, health and wellness organizations and not-for-profit charities.