2011 Annual Report for Community, Culture & Recreation Services Department

Community, Culture and Recreation Services

ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2011 in review: annual update from David Smith and the CCRS Advisory Committee 2011 Highlights: divisional successes and new initiatives in 2011

3 4-14

Active Living Programs

4

Allocation, Booking and Registration

4

Aquatics 6 Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events

6

Business Development and Promotion

8

Cemetery Services

10

Fee Assistance Leisure Access Program

10

Heritage Services

11

Older Adults/55+

11

Planning and Performance

12

Recreation and Facility Services

12

RIM Park and Manulife Financial Sportsplex

14

RIM Park Active Living

14

New Facilities Spotlight: find out more about the new buildings and assets added in 2011!

RIM Park Artificial Turf Fields

5

City of Waterloo Skatepark

9

John M. Harper Branch Library

13

Customer Profiles: meet some of our regular customers!

page

2

Al and Rosie Milan

4

Jen Connolly

7

Wayne Kaitting

8

The Read Family

10

Marilyn Henry

14

2011 Revenues and Expenses: the numbers

15

Looking Forward: departmental goals and objectives moving into 2012

15

2011 in review

Engagement with our community has become a very real way of work for us. We are committed to ensuring that we take the right steps to connect positively with our largest stakeholders—you— on a regular basis.

An informal review of public consultations in 2011 has indicated that over 40 public opportunities for dialogue with our community occurred. These ranged from displays at shopping malls, meetings with committees and community groups, general public meetings on a variety of topics, surveys, and polls. Our approach is always, “You talk, we listen”!

The Waterloo Skatepark (Skateboard and BMX) was built in 2011 and is a huge success. It is a success because the community was asked and participated in every step of the planning and construction process. From choosing the location to final design details, the ultimate owners were critical contributors. Many thanks to those involved.

If you have some time, consider spending some of it in Waterloo Park. There is always something to see and do, and you will come to appreciate that skateboarding is a demonstration sport.

Many families are choosing “staycations,” and Waterloo Park is a wonderful oasis in our city.

The Car Free Sundays pilot gained momentum in 2011. Making the UpTown section of King Street

pedestrian-focused for a few days each year follows a growing international trend in vibrant and livable cities. Look for a community-driven schedule of events in 2012.

We were, and continue to be, encouraged by our new Council. Their approved Strategic Plan contains many elements that resonate with the work we do in CCRS. You will meet some exceptional customers in this year’s report. Consider becoming one yourself.

Our facilities and services are meant to be there for you.

We extend our thanks to CCRS Advisory Committee members James Moss, Paul MacIntosh, David Smith (yes, there are two), Melanie Garbaz, Steve Tulloch, Julie Kappelflesch, Janice Moore and Councillor Diane Freeman for their efforts at representing the community perspective on a broad range of topics. They provide real insight to staff and help shape many significant initiatives.

Please take a minute and read our Annual Report. As always we would love to hear your feedback.

David Smith General Manager, Community, Culture and Recreation Services

Janice Moore Chair, CCRS Advisory Committee page

3

2011 HIGHLIGHTS Active Living Programs New active living programs including Karate, Monkeynastix, Sport Agility and Yoga for both Mom & Baby and Parent & Teen had 186 registrations.

Day Camp, Fun Centres & Youth Leadership Development had 1233 registrants, up from 1134 in 2010.

Power Skating Camp had 244 registrants, up from 163 in 2010.

44 participants dedicated over 4650 volunteer hours in summer camp programs.

Dance Craze continues to be popular, with 761 registrants.

The Indoor Track received over $3800 in admissions, donations and Participass sales.

Total Track Attendance in 2011: 208,563 Track Review Team completed their report to Council and presented their recommendations on April 18, 2011. All recommendations were accepted unanimously. Staff have implemented new guidelines that will provide more effective use of this asset.

Allocation, Booking and Registration 2011 highlights include: 17,640 Leisure Program Participant Registrations Processed (39.3% Front Desk; 57.8% Internet; 2.9% touch tone phone).

2374 Facility Rental Contracts were created for indoor and outdoor facilities consisting of 23,745 bookings using 115, 509 hours amongst all facilities.

CCRS payroll Support Clerk entered 34,136 rows of payroll data Purchased Class Internet Membership feature to be installed in 2012 to enhance customer access by allowing online purchasing for their leisure admission cards for swimming, skating and track.

Provided specific CLASS module training for high level Class users in ABR and Finance which allowed for increased growth and database awareness.

Public Skate programs at Moses, RIM Park, Albert McCormick Community Centre, and Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex received over $105,000 in admissions and Participass sales.

Youth Council dedicated over 2000 volunteer hours while raising over $300 for the Food Bank and many toys for the Tree of Angels.

On New Year’s Eve, over 1000 community members attended free skates at RIM Park, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, and the Waterloo Public Square, sponsored by Tim Horton’s.

CUSTOMER PROFILE:

Al and Rosie Milan

Al and Rosie are longtime participants in the “Walk Across Canada” program at WMRC and RIM Park.

They have been dedicated walkers now for over ten years. Both are retired, and for them, the RIM Park facility offers them all they need to keep in shape: the hours are convenient for their schedule, the facility is near page

4

their home, the premises are kept very clean, and they can walk rain or shine. “The staff at RIM Park are great,” they say. “Leslie is the most outstanding of all. She is very nice, pleasant, funny and helpful. Roseanne, the RIM Park manager, always takes time to talk to you, and Kim in Maintenance seems always busy and

is very friendly.” In their spare time, the Milans enjoy swimming, travelling and shopping. They also like to do volunteer work.

NEW: RIM Park Artificial Turf Fields

This premium outdoor multi-use sport field facility features two international sized, lighted, artificial turf, multi-purpose sport fields built to accommodate soccer, football, disc sports, lacrosse, rugby and field hockey. The standards accommodate both the FIFA international soccer standard, and regulation football size requirements.

The two fields offer the programming capacity of over six regular fields. The international size of the fields meets a long-identified need for high performance competitive soccer and other field sports, while further enhancing programming capacity by allowing the fields to be divided for smaller games.

eliminate downtime for operations, and offer a reliable surface without rain delays or closures.

The high-quality artificial surface and lights substantially expand the season of use, allow for evening use,

The new outdoor sport fields are a community asset that facilitate increased participation for minor sports and the community at large.

The fields also include washrooms, spectator seating, and the fencing enclosure necessary to accommodate major invitational tournaments and championship meets, while protecting the investment in artificial turf.

The City is very proud to have partnered with Waterloo Minor Soccer Club in this project and we express our appreciation to all the parents, players, and volunteers whose contributions have established this legacy for future generations.

The GreenLab: Our big rain barrel Rein in the Wind —Carlos Besanta, 2011

In the GreenLab’s innovative water harvesting system, all the rain that falls on the two artificial fields is

stored and used later to water the four natural fields.

When the RIM Park Premier Sports Field Facility was built, the opportunity was recognized to capture and re-use rainwater as nature does.

The artificial fields are porous, and as a result, a significant amount of water is available for re-use. When the rain falls on the artificial fields, it is stored underneath and then used to irrigate the four natural fields when they are thirsty.

page

5

2011 HIGHLIGHTS Aquatics Aquatics continues to strengthen their commitment and relationship with the four affiliated sport groups in 2011. The Waterloo Swimplex was proud to host West Regional’s Synchro Competition in April 2011. In December the Swimplex hosted the K-W Bantam Classic Waterpolo Tournament. In conjunction with the four affiliated sport groups we hosted the Second Annual Water Sport Extravaganza on September 22, a huge success for each of our partners and the facility.

Waterfit continues to be the trend in getting customers into the pool and keeping them engaged in keeping FIT! With over 60 classes to choose from each week, we continue to increase the customer base for this program. With new classes added in 2011 such as deep waterfit with equipment and pre/post natal waterfit, this pay as you come program has since an overall increase of 10% compared to 2010. The aquatic team looks forward to adding some additional classes in 2012 to target our aging population and customers looking for new and vibrant waterfit programs.

Moses Springer Outdoor Pool had a very successful summer in 2011. With the increase in program types and the addition of new advanced leadership programs and bi-weekly weekday swim lessons we saw an increase of over 20% for these registered programs. New promotions resulted in a 277% increase in the sale of season passes over 2010. Bringing the family to Moses or signing up for swim lessons has definitely been a huge SPLASH in our summer programming.

The commitment to continual staff improvement in Aquatics has proved to be successful with our NEW Head Guard mentoring program. This allows staff that have had exceptional job performance over the past 1.5 years of employment to apply and be appointed for two sessions as a Head Guard Mentor. It’s an excellent training program for new up-and-coming part-time Head Instructor/Guards for our aquatic facilities with the City of Waterloo. page

6

Betty Anne Keller, Manager of Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events, with the portrait sculpture of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a new public artwork installed for the WLU centennial with the assistance of City of Waterloo staff.

Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events Festivals Sun Life Financial became the proud new title sponsor of both the UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival and the Waterloo Busker Carnival, two great summer festivals that attract tens of thousands of people each year. As a long-time supporter of these community-driven events, Sun Life believes in the value of bringing local and world-renowned performers to the Region of Waterloo. This support will enhance Waterloo’s two largest festivals as significant milestones are reached: the 20th anniversary of the UpTown Waterloo Jazz Festival this year and the 25th anniversary of the Waterloo Busker Carnival in 2013.

Other Festival highlights: 10th Anniversary of AfroFest in Waterloo Park Expanded Summer Concert Series programming—music in June now, as well as July and August!

2011 HIGHLIGHTS Region of Waterloo’s new Water Wagon made its appearance at many festivals this year. This mobile drinking water station provides a free drink of tap water to people and pets at local events.

Santa Claus Parade—a new float! Environmental Services staff went above and beyond to transform the City’s parade float into a magical toy box, just in time for the Santa parade!

Public Square 2011 was the third year of successful communitybased programming in the Public Square. Almost 900 volunteers supported more than 400 events, resulting in over $700,000 raised for 22 local and international charities—a jump of 300% over 2010.

2011 marked the first year of Neruda Productions’ K-W Latin Fest. With dozens of food vendors, and hot salsa and merengue rhythms played by Southern Ontario’s biggest Latin stars, it is no wonder that this one-day festival attracted almost 4000 people.

The audience had a fantastic time, and learned about some prominent cultures in our community. The K-W Latin Fest will be back, even bigger and better, on July 28, 2012.

Public Art In 2011, staff supported the second annual Culture Days celebration—Waterloo participation continued to build for the second year of the national movement to promote the arts as an activity for everyone. In collaboration with staff in Kitchener, Cambridge and The Region, staff launched our region-wide brochure showing maps and walking and biking opportunities to experience our collections of public art. The “Extraordinary Spaces” brochure was successfully launched during Culture Days 2011.

Staff completed the juried selection process to commission a new artwork at Fire Station # 4.

Ernest Daetwyler will create and install “Water to Fire” in 2012. Jyhling Lee’s “The Origami Goose” was installed at the Harper Branch Library and Carlos Basanta’s “Rein in the Wind” was installed at the RIM Park Sports fields. Although it is not an artwork, the “Day of Mourning” monument was installed at the Waterloo City Centre to honour people injured or killed on the job.

Car Free Sundays The Arts, Culture, Festivals and Events team played a significant role in support of the new initiative in the summer of 2011 to close King Street to motorized vehicles in Waterloo’s UpTown. Staff worked with over 100 community groups to successfully facilitate four Sunday events in support of this exciting new program.

CUSTOMER PROFILE:

Jen Connolly

Jen Connolly’s co-ed slo-pitch team (BRAAAP) entered the CARL leagues in the summer of 2002. They enjoyed the league so much, they decided to continue the fun year-round, entering into court and beach volleyball leagues as well. She loves to be active in her free time, and is at RIM Park 2 to 3 nights a week. Jen has been playing baseball since she was ten years old, and CARL leagues offer

her a way to continue playing the sports she grew up with and loves.

“It also brings my family (our team consists of husbands, wives, brothers, sisters and even cousins) and friends together at least once a week. Baseball nights not only provide great social time with the team, but also bring out our fan base. We have devoted fans who come out every week, including my grandparents who travel from

Brantford.” The best part of CARL? “The people. Darcy is so fun and funny, and Jim does an amazing job running the program.” Jen encourages anyone thinking about joining a team to just do it. “It’s so much fun, and a great way to get active. You definitely won’t regret it!”

page

7

2011 HIGHLIGHTS The community also contributed to artworks in our public spaces—Centre for International Governance Innovation unveiled Richard Fleischner’s magnificent installation in the CIGI courtyard in 2011, and Wilfrid Laurier University commissioned a highly engaging portrait sculpture of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, as a part of the university’s centennial celebration. Staff assisted with both of these community art initiatives. In September 2011, we partnered with CAFKA to install “Fancy Fences” in various locations uptown.

The impact of this quirky project was immediate and provoked much community discussion!

Also in 2011, staff “refreshed” the longstanding display of Peter Goetz’s artworks at City Hall, to focus on the pictures for which we have prints to sell.

The display now promotes the practice of purchasing unique art for your home, instead of mass produced materials.

Business Development and Promotion

Increased video inventory and created promotional videos for: • RIM Park • Bechtel Park Off Leash Dog Park • City of Waterloo Museum • Public Art All of these videos are available on the City of Waterloo YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/cityofwaterloo BD&P made 11 sponsorship pitches in 2011 (for the artificial turf at RIM Park and the Skatepark).

No sponsorship pitches were made in 2010.

Advertising profit increased by 25% from 2010.

• 2010 profit: $33,924 • 2011 profit: $42,962 • Increase of $9,038

Increased social media communications—used Facebook and YouTube to communicate with residents, program participants, and customers.

Increased advertising revenue (including Program & Activities Guide, Happenings, digital screens) by 15% from 2010 • 2010 revenue: $134,352 • 2011 revenue: $154,877 • Increase of $20,525

CUSTOMER PROFILE:

Wayne Kaitting

Wayne Kaitting has been playing pool at the ARC for about ten years. He enjoys getting out of the house in the winter, and says that one does a lot of walking around a pool table. Wayne has a fairly active lifestyle that includes motorcycle riding, golf, dancing and cards, and says that regular exercise contributes to keeping your mind sharp. As for his years around page

8

the pool table, he says, “I wish I could say that it helped my pool game, but unfortunately it hasn’t. But I still enjoy the game.” Wayne enjoys his interactions with City staff and fellow players, but says, “I don’t pick favorites. That’s what you do at the race track (and you still lose). But we do have a good group of guys—Vic, Ron, Bob, Mike, Frank, and Gerry. And

there is always somebody new and interesting showing up.” His goal?

“To live to be 100 years old in good health and know it.”

NEW: City of Waterloo Skatepark The new park covers 10,000 square feet, and is beautifully made with three colours of concrete, stairs, rails, ramps, vertical features and integrated landscaping. It also offers plenty of informal spectator seating.

The Skatepark has already become a hub of activity for local skaters since its informal opening in October 2011. The park has the potential to be a great venue for special events, programs and camps (an inaugural Skateboard Camp will be offered in Summer 2012).

The City of Waterloo Skatepark is now open in Waterloo Park, at 100 Father David Bauer Drive. The facility features elements for all skateboarding skill levels, with ramps, stairs, vertical elements and more.

Located in Waterloo Park across from the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, the park is designed to meet the needs of this city’s growing community of skateboarders.

Construction on the 10,000-squarefoot plaza-style park got underway in July 2011 and wrapped up in October 2011.

Waterloo Skatepark is highly visible, highly accessible, and is integrated into UpTown Waterloo, a vibrant, popular area of the city.

The Skatepark provides a gathering space for all community members.

It also allows the large, underserved segment of skaters in our community—between 4000-6000 people—a safe facility to practice their sport of choice.

Skateboarding is an active outdoor sport, and almost every community, large and small, has either already built a skatepark or is in the process of building one.

SKATEPARK FEATURES

1 - Curved Transition/Slappy Feature 2 - Medium Stair Set with Ledge/Manual Pad Feature 3 - Medium Stair Set with Rail Feature 4 - Small Stair Set with Rail 5 - Curved Transition/Slappy Feature 6 - Central Volcano Feature with Integrated Planting Bed 7 - Medium Stair Set with Ledge Feature 8 - Big 3 Style Block Feature with Ledge, Manual and Gap Options 9 - Large Stair Set with Hubba Ledge, Up-gap and Rail Options 10 - Curved Ledge Features page

9

2011 HIGHLIGHTS Cemetery Services As part of continued cemetery development, capital work associated with the Roman Catholic section expansion at Parkview Cemetery was completed. This new section has allowed for continued active sales supporting the Roman Catholic community. The final paving of the upper parking lot at the Manulife Financial Soccer and Sport Complex was also completed as part of this project.

sound and video amenities in the chapel to allow for increased customer service options during funeral activities.

Bechtel Park Highlights Increased number of special events held, including the Terry Fox Run, the Waterloo Marathon, Endurrun, Dirty Dash, and District cross-country events.

Nordic Ski Club volunteers improved sections of the woodlot trail by adding new mulch to the The installation of a bronze statue depicting existing paths. Nordic Ski Club officials continue to children at play completed another phase of work on plans to potentially partner with the City improvements in the Children’s Section at Parkview of Waterloo on building a club house in the park.

Cemetery.

Wilfrid Laurier University Baseball successfully Information Systems continued to work with cemetery staff on a comprehensive mapping of lot inventories at Parkview Cemetery for future sales and marketing opportunities, linked to customers’ ability to search the Cemetery website for burial records, lot availability and pricing.

Through collaboration with Environment and Parks Services, a Turf Treatment Pilot Project was initialized to determine if the product Fiesta, recently approved for use, would prove valuable as a tool to suppress weed growth. Early findings are promising and a larger test will be conducted in 2012 to further evaluate the product’s range of application.

hosted the OUA All Star Game and League Championships at Bechtel Park in the fall.

Fee Assistance Leisure Access Program From December 1, 2010 to November 30, 2011: $214,800 is the value of fee assistance issued to Waterloo residents

Work has begun on exploring upgrades to the CUSTOMER PROFILE:

The Read Family

The Read family has been involved in City of Waterloo programs, including aquatics, Lion’s Lagoon, Time Out for Parents and Tots, and Dance Craze, for seven and a half years—since their first child was born. Now, all four children and their parents regularly participate. “The first day that each of my children started their Kinder Fun and Splash class (we call it “Program”) was a big deal. The kids all felt excited and proud to be starting something without a parent!” CCRS programs offer the Read children opportunities to meet and make new page

10

friends from a wide variety of backgrounds from a young age, and to become accustomed to being in a safe parent-free environment before starting school. They enjoy the excellent service, easy registration, customer responsiveness, and amazing staff.

One of their kids’ favourite City staffers is Senior Instructor/Guard Ashley Schell. “She’s always happy and enthusiastic and goes above and beyond what is expected to provide all the kids with a fantastic experience.” As their kids get older, the Reads plan to involve them in traditional sports

programs and after-school activities.

Their goal as a family, Heather Read says, is “to set good examples for our kids and to have fun playing the ‘old fashioned’ way.”

2011 HIGHLIGHTS 339 families were eligible to receive fee assistance

Publications

724 individuals were eligible to receive fee assistance (includes individuals within families)

Re-designed the Museum Brochure

894 participants registered for City of Waterloo programs through CLASS Registration (includes participasses)

Alzheimer’s workshop—pilot program for early dementia patients and their care-givers

274 participants registered for affiliated Minor Sport & Arts programs

Heritage Services

Programming

Walking Tours: Offered two tour themes: UpTown and Waterloo Park Installed exhibitions at the Visitor and Information Centre and City Hall

Research Requests – 30 via website, 6 on-site researchers

Hosted the opening for the Ontario Museum Association’s Annual Conference which was held in Waterloo Region—100 museum & cultural workers from across the Province attended and toured the Museum

Volunteer Hours

Built Heritage

Museum Volunteer Hours 348

New initiative—Heritage newsletter Foundations

Committee Volunteer Hours 399

Staff continued to collect reminiscences and photographs from past and present residents in the MacGregor/Albert Heritage Conservation District to include in a commemoration of the district.

Museum Statistics Museum Attendance—5545

Outreach Activities Doors Open—2000 KW Real Estate talk—100 Probus Talk—100 Collection

The Heritage Conservation District received new street signage, making a visual distinction upon entering it.

110 new artifacts came into the collection

Older Adults/55+

21 donors

Developed a partnership with Hope Spring Cancer Support. This allowed us to run two drop-in classes for them, Power Foods, and their support group. We had 32 new participants who had never used the Adult Recreation Centre.

Waterloo Park Presentation ARC—60

Continued work on finalizing a Collections Policy for the Heritage and Fine Arts collections.

Assisted Cultural Services with organizing and reviving the Goetz artwork at City Hall.

Artifacts were loaned to the new Waterloo Region Museum for inclusion in their exhibitions.

Museum Exhibitions: Total of 3 exhibits—ICYC (In Case you’re Curious), Nuclear Fashion, and ArtiFactory

In 2012, we will expand this partnership to include yoga classes.

In 2011 the total number of people who participated in our Registered Programs was 1662 vs. 1583 in 2010, representing a 5% increase in Registered Program participants.

Designed and fabricated a new suite of display cases. This change makes the museum exhibitions more accessible to serving our clients under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) and Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2001). page

11

2011 HIGHLIGHTS We participated in the planning process for the 2012 Senior Summer Games, hosted by Elmira.

We have taken an active role on this committee in preparation for 2013 when Waterloo will host this event.

The 55+ Senior Outing Day Program and Home Support Services area continue to work on special events together, such as a successful Volunteer Appreciation event and a Christmas Concert.

Plan, CCRS Service Delivery Policy and corporate strategic documents.

Recreation and Facility Services

Customer Service Strategy Development: To provide customer service excellence that surpasses the expectations of tenants and patrons who participate in leisure, active living and other We continue to monitor trends for adults and 55+ activities at Community, Culture and Recreation Services, a Customer Service Strategy has been to meet their social and recreational needs. With developed/implemented. The Strategy includes new development in Uptown Waterloo, there is increased interest in afternoon and morning fitness a training module to ensure all Customer Service and social classes at the Adult Recreation Centre. Associates have a standard level of customer service training, ensuring alignment with the principles of We continue to participate on the Older Adult service.

Centres’ Association of Ontario/Grand River Operations Strategy Development: Region. This allows us to continue networking To ensure consistent, effective and efficient with other Senior Centres in the Region. management of facilities, an Operations Strategy has been developed/implemented. To achieve the Planning and Performance mandate and operating principles, the operations team has been reviewing and enhancing training Developed a draft Outdoor Sports Field modules, reviewing facility, event and custodial Facility Strategy and conducted extensive public operational plans and developing protocol related to engagement for feedback. A finalized version will ‘B’ Certification requirements. Employee schedules be presented to Council in 2012. are being developed that maximize existing staff Presented a draft Community Cash Grants resources and enhance employee capacity. policy and discussion paper to Council to initiate Establishment of a CCRS Operations community feedback on recommendations.

Committee: Feedback will be taken into consideration and a The purpose of this committee is to be a formal final version of the policy will be recommended mechanism for sharing trends, best practices, for Council approval in 2012. creative ideas, approaches and tools that contribute Professional development position was posted to collaboration, teamwork, exceptional customer and filled for an interim Research Analyst to service and operational consistency. This committee support the work of the Policy, Planning and engages representatives from other departments Performance Unit. and external stakeholders to ensure an integrated City of Waterloo Skatepark was designed, approach to operational activities. constructed and operational procedures developed in time for a Fall opening in 2011. The Action Skatepark Strategy will be presented to Council in 2012.

Have provided support services to CCRS staff in the development of various policies, to ensure consistency and alignment with the CCRS Master page

12

NEW: John M. Harper Branch Library

The Harper Branch, which opened on October 22, 2011, is the third library in Waterloo’s system. The Harper Branch is in a complex which it shares with the Stork Family YMCA at the intersection of Laurelwood and Fischer-Hallman on the west side of Waterloo.

The John M. Harper Branch is 21,000 square feet. How does this compare with other WPL branches?

The McCormick Branch is 3000 sq ft and the Main branch is just over 35, 800 square feet. This means that the new branch will be more than five and a half times the size of McCormick and half the size of the Main library. If you imagine the upper level adult department of the Main library, you will get a good idea of how big Harper is.

The Harper Branch has the capacity to hold up to 100,000 items in its collections.

Who is John M. “Jack” Harper?

John M. Harper, known as “Jack,” was a community builder. Gratitude was at the heart of giving back.

Jack Harper was truly grateful to have the opportunity to live in Waterloo, having moved around in his younger years and come to Waterloo when his dad got a job with Electrohome. He went off to war and was wounded at Normandy but like many veterans he didn’t talk about it. His military service was recognized with many awards and decorations.

What happened during those years

made Jack appreciate being part of a community. He wanted to share his good fortune by giving back and give back he did. He was on the Board of Governors at Wilfrid Laurier University and on the Boards of The Equitable Life and The Waterloo Insurance Company and later The Economical Insurance Company. As well he served on many local community organizations including the Waterloo Lions, the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, K-W Counseling Services, The Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, the United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and Area, and First United Church to name a few.

He was named “K-W Citizen of the Year” and a “Paul Harris Fellow”

by Rotary International. St. Mary’s Hospital named him an Honorary Director in 1997 and in that same year he worked with community volunteers on the preservation and exhibition of the Seagram Museum collections. Jack would say to his kids “community service is the rent you pay for the space you occupy.”

The Waterloo Public Library is very proud to recognize John M. Harper’s spirit of community capacity building by naming the new WPL branch library in his honour.

The Origami Goose

by Jyhling Lee, 2011 The artist has created a whimsical tribute to storytelling and to the water birds living nearby. Inspired by the ancient tradition of origami, The Origami Goose complements the modern architecture of the building, reminding us of the presence of the natural world reflected in the meadows and ponds surrounding the site. The artwork also offers an opportunity to learn the art-form and craft through the reproduction of the sculpture in paper origami.

page

13

2011 HIGHLIGHTS Establishment of a CCRS Programs Staff Committee: The purpose of this committee is to be a formal mechanism for sharing trends, best practices, creative ideas, approaches and tools that contribute to collaboration, teamwork, exceptional customer service and consistent program delivery. This committee engages representatives from other departments, affiliate/community/sports groups and other service delivery providers to ensure an integrated approach to program related activities.

Establishment of a CCRS/PWS Environment and Parks Roles and Accountabilities Framework: CCRS and PWS: Environment and Parks teams have developed a framework that formalizes roles and accountabilities, eliminating grey zones related to outdoor field maintenance and service delivery.

RIM Park & Manulife Financial Sportsplex RIM Park has enjoyed continued success hosting the Ontario Volleyball Association championships and the 23rd Annual Ontario Technological Skills competition at the Sportsplex.

We hosted a number of minor sport championships for Waterloo Minor Ringette, Ontario Basketball Association, Waterloo Minor Soccer and Waterloo Minor Hockey.

CUSTOMER PROFILE:

14

Over 1.3 million visitors utilized RIM Park indoor and outdoor facilities.

RIM Park Active Living The RIM Park Leisure & Active Living Program Team marked 10 years of service delivery in 2011. In our 10 years of CARL we have served over 75,000 participants and continue to provide the public with a variety of responsibly managed adult league programs.

KW Skating Club & the City of Waterloo Pre-Season Power Skating partnership continued with mutual strength. Implemented feedback from our 2010 season resulted in an increase of 13 participants in the 2011 “Power 5” program. This allowed 22 local youth that extra edge of on-ice training preliminary to A/AA Tryouts. This partnership shows great sustainability with an annual increase of 6% participation.

Marilyn Henry

Marilyn has been walking at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex for the past eight years.

Her husband plays hockey with the Daytimers three times a week, and it was easy for her to tag along and do her walking on the track during the winter. She enjoys the cardiovascular workout, and not worrying about her footing in the winter makes exercise easy. “The new track is a big improvement,” she says. “All the page

The Carolyn Fedy Skating Centre is the home training centre both for 2011 Canadian Senior Pairs champions Kristen Moore-Towers and Dylan Moscovitch, and 2011 Canadian Novice Pairs champions Shalena Rau and Phelan Simpson.

natural light that comes in from the windows is an added bonus.” Marilyn and her husband recently hosted the McGill women’s hockey team when they played in the University Women’s Hockey Championships at the WMRC. “What a thrill when they won!” she says. In her free time, Marilyn enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, attending sporting and cultural events, gardening, and camping. She and her husband

also do a lot of travelling with their fifth wheel. She intends to continue her walking three times a week, and increase her periods of jogging to maintain her level of fitness.

2011 REVENUES & EXPENSES 2011 ACTUAL EXPENSES $19,860,102

Salaries, Wages & Benefits 51% $10,287,341

Rent, Services & Financial Expenses 2% $330,787 Grants (incl. FRD) 12% $2,393,214

Supplies, Materials, Equipment 12% $2,321,476 Overhead (incl. insurance, debt) 21% $4,171,176

Reserve Contributions 2% $358,108

2011 REVENUE $19,860,102

Reserves 7% $1,304,193 Misc. Revenue & Investment Income 2% $308,024

Tax Base Support 37% $7,331,878

Grants 4% $707,037

50%

User Fees $10,208,970

LOOKING FORWARD If 2011 was the year of public engagement with our community, 2012 will be the year of working hard to use our newly forged community relationships to achieve key goals of our Council approved Master Plan.

By the end of 2012 both our Culture Plan and Seniors Strategy will be well underway with stakeholders from every sector of our community at the table. Our Outdoor Sports Field Strategy and Facility Rental Discount, a form of support to our affiliated groups, will be approved.

Early environmental work on the Westside sports fields on Westmount Drive will commence and improvements at Parkview Cemetery will be noticeable.

It is a very exciting future. We hope you will be part of it.

page

15

The City of Waterloo added or completed three new facilities to serve the community during 2011.

The premium Artificial Turf Fields at RIM Park opened in May 2011, and are already proving their worth to sports groups of all kinds.

The John M. Harper Branch Library, attached to the Stork Family YMCA on the west side of Waterloo, opened in October 2011, providing a fantastic facility in a beautiful setting to library patrons.

The Waterloo Skatepark, an action sports facility for skateboarders, was completed in October 2011.

See more about each new facility inside!

Community, Culture and Recreation Services www.waterloo.ca

100 Regina Street South Waterloo ON N2J 4A8

Phone 519-747-8733 Fax 519-747-8754 TTY 1-866-786-3941