4. canadian parks and recreation association national conference 2007

confÉrence nationale de 2007 de l’association canadienne des parcs et loisirs

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

That Council approve the City’s participation as co-host of the 2007 Canadian Parks and Recreation Association conference as outlined in this report.

RECOMMANDATION DU COMITÉ

Que le Conseil approuve la participation de la Ville en tant qu’hôte conjoint de la Conférence nationale de 2007 de l’Association canadienne des parcs et loisirs.

DOCUMENTATION

1. Deputy City Manager, Community and Protective Services report dated 8 February 2006 (ACS2006-CPS-PAR-0002).

Report to/Rapport au :

Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee

Comité de la santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux

and Council / et au Conseil

8 February 2006 / le 8 février 2006

Submitted by/Soumis par :

Steve Kanellakos, Deputy City Manager/Directeur municipal adjoint,

Community and Protective Services/Services communautaires et de protection

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Aaron Burry, Director

Parks and Recreation/Parcs et Loisir

(613) 580-2424 x23666, Aaron.Burry@ottawa.ca

City Wide/Portée générale

Ref N°: ACS2006-CPS-PAR-0002

SUBJECT:	CANADIAN PARKS AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2007

OBJET :	conférence nationale de 2007 de l’association canadienne des parcs et loisirs

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Heath, Recreation, and Social Services Committee recommend that Council approve the City’s participation as co-host of the 2007 Canadian Parks and Recreation Association conference as outlined in this report.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité de la santé, des loisirs et des services sociaux recommande au Conseil d’approuver la participation de la Ville en tant qu’hôte conjoint de la Conférence nationale de 2007 de l’Association canadienne des parcs et loisirs.

BACKGROUND

The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) is a national voluntary-sector organization dedicated to realizing the full potential of parks and recreation services as a major contributor to community health and vibrancy. The CPRA’s mission is to build healthy communities and enhance the quality of life and environments for all Canadians through collaboration with its members and partners. This includes being a national voice for parks and recreation; building and nurturing partnerships; advocating parks and recreation as essential to individual, family and community health and well-being; communicating and promoting the values and benefits of parks and recreation; responding to diverse and changing needs of members, as well as providing educational opportunities. Through broad-based community involvement, they find solutions to social challenges, influence policy direction and generate momentum towards community quality of life.

Every year, CPRA chooses a Canadian city to host their Canadian Parks and Recreation Association National Conference. This annual gathering draws more than 400 delegates from across Canada to discuss issues and share best practices related to Parks and Recreation. This conference includes seminars, workshops, and a trade show in which participants are able to showcase new and exciting ideas for upcoming initiatives. It also provides a variety of social and networking opportunities based on the culture and heritage of the hosting city. The themes for the seminars include:

· Creating a socially inclusive community,

· Addressing environmental issues: Greener Lifestyles for Sustainability

· Increasing physical activity

· Community development and partnerships

· Personal and professional development

In 2005, the conference was held in Edmonton, and in 2006 it will be hosted by the city of Saskatoon. City staff submitted a proposal to co-host the conference with Parks and Recreation Ontario in Ottawa in 2007, and the proposal was accepted. This will be an excellent opportunity to showcase Ottawa’s unique recreational and cultural attributes, its dedicated staff, volunteers, and community partners.

DISCUSSION

The proposal suggested that the CPRA National Conference 2007 be jointly hosted by the City of Ottawa, the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, and Parks and Recreation Ontario. This strong tri-partite effort will ensure the success of this event by pooling expertise and resources. This project will also allow the City to involve community partners, not-for-profit organizations and universities. The conference is scheduled from September 24^th to 29^th, 2007 and will be hosted at the Marriott and Crown Plaza Hotel in downtown Ottawa. This location will ensure that all delegates have an opportunity to experience the unique atmosphere and assets of the National Capital Region.

The City of Ottawa’s contribution to the conference will be made through in-kind support such as staff and volunteer time; no additional financial contribution will be required from the City. The Parks and Recreation branch has recruited a student from the University of Ottawa to assist in the planning and delivery of the conference through an internship placement, and the branch will actively work to recruit additional students from University of Ottawa and Algonquin College. These students are currently studying in the fields of leisure and recreation, and will be able to contribute their knowledge and enthusiasm, while gaining hands-on experience in the planning and organization of a national event. CPRA will be contributing funds for the event, which will be used mainly for guest speakers and special events. Participant registration fees and tradeshow registration fees will offset the remainder of the costs.

The work and planning will be divided amongst 5 main task groups and 7 subcommittees staffed by members of CPRA, PRO, and the City of Ottawa (see attachment 1). Each task group and sub-committee will be assigned an area responsibility such as marketing, logistics, and volunteer recruitment. City staff who wish to be involved with this project will be asked to incorporate it into their existing work plans with the permission of their supervisors.

CONSULTATION

The City of Ottawa consulted with the municipalities of Halifax and Edmonton who have recently hosted this event in order to develop a workplan.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

There are no financial implications with the approval of the report recommendation.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Attachment 1 – Previous Conference Locations

Attachment 2 – Task Groups

DISPOSITION

The Parks and Recreation Branch will be responsible for implementing the results of this report.

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

Canadian Parks and Recreation Association National Conference Locations

Parks and Recreation Ontario Conference Locations