Curler Carl Loughlin speaks at the City of Corner Brook’s recreation master plan meeting at the Pepsi Studio Thursday. — Star photo by Geraldine Brophy

The consultants hired to develop a leisure and recreation master plan for the City of Corner Brook absorbed plenty of suggestions from the community during a public forum they hosted at the Pepsi Centre Thursday evening.

About two dozen people, some representing specific groups and others as concerned citizens, made the effort to attend the session and give their thoughts to Neil Dawe of Tract Consulting and Don Hunter of Professional Environmental Recreation Consultants (PERC).

Janice Galliott told the consultants it’s important to keep the ever-changing nature of demographics in mind and, if any new facilities are going to be in the plan, that they be multi-use in nature.

“The definition of leisure is very much changing today,” she said. “Leisure for youth is very different than it was five years ago. What will it be like in 10 years? We have to think about our demographic and what leisure means in our community.”

She added it’s also important that any new facilities be maintainable and create a lasting legacy.

“I think we should look back at this in 10 years and be proud of what we put into this,” she said. “I know you’ll never be able to make everybody happy here, but it’s good that it’s going to be a systematic process. I’m sure some hard decisions will have to be made. Hopefully, you can come to an understanding after listening to everybody.”

There were plenty of suggestions for new or improved infrastructure. Those included new slo-pitch softball fields big enough to host tournament play, space to hold sports such as martial arts and boxing, an indoor running track, a family-friendly indoor swimming pool and an off-leash dog park.

Kevin McCarthy of the Corner Brook Baseball Association handed the consultants a copy of the proposal the association has provided to the City for an upgrade of the clubhouse and bleachers at Jubilee Field, Corner Brook’s aging and only baseball diamond. This past summer, rainwater poured in through the clubhouse, which houses the electrical control box for the field’s lighting system and the field was shut down for a short period of time by Occupational Health and Safety.

Local curler Carl Loughlin attended the meeting. While the Corner Brook Curling Club has lost its home for this curling season, there are efforts in progress to find a new home in time for the 2010-11 curling season. Still, Loughlin wants his favourite sport to be included in the master plan.

“Curling has been an integral part of recreation in Corner Brook for the last 50 years or more,” said Loughlin. “We are working closely with the City. Positive things are happening and our problems may be solved in the next 12 months or so. But, if a major plan is being developed on long-term leisure, I would hate to think that plan would not include curling activities. “

Loughlin said the Corner Brook Stream walking trails should also play an important role in the plan.

“Continued development of the trail system is important,” he said. “They are quite an attraction to people when they visit our city. When my relatives visit, we often go out for walks in the evening along our beautiful trails.”

Some of the recommendations also focused on coming up with activities and facilities that allow families to recreate together or at least in the same vicinity, accessibility of facilities and programs for seniors and those who have difficulty affording them and coming up with an easier way for both new and long-time residents to find out exactly what is available in and around Corner Brook in terms of recreation and leisure pursuits.

On that latter point, the City of Corner Brook is planning a section on its website dedicated to what’s available in terms of recreation and leisure activities in Corner Brook.
The consultants — who have also met with city council, City of Corner Brook staff and other stakeholder groups — will present its report and recommendations to the City next spring. The report will be released publicly and another public session will be held to openly discuss the report before deciding on if and how the recommendations should be implemented.