ALL Norfolk Community Centre

County staff had originally scheduled the public meeting at the Waterford Arena in the meeting room on September 18. There was a greater than anticipated turnout and staff quickly discovered the meeting room was not big enough once the meeting started. The meeting was rescheduled for September 28 at the Waterford Public school. At this meeting we had approximately 68 attendees, 43 of which completed a written survey. The majority of residents who attended the meeting in Waterford were very positive, and favorable to building a multi-plex facility. As a few residents wanted to see Norfolk County invest in Waterford, the majority of residents believed that building the multi-plex in Simcoe would be most beneficial to the County as a whole. A large portion of the residents at this meeting were concerned about the well-being of the pool and wish to see a new, bigger pool built with better air quality and more facility usage time.

Info gathered from the paper surveys regarding recreational facilities:

How would you prefer to address this issue?

Repair: 2

Build New: 35

It has been recommended that a multi-use recreation facility be located in Simcoe. Where would you suggest this facility be located?

Downtown Simcoe: 6

Simcoe – outside of downtown: 30

Other: 3

Full Minutes Here

Our next meeting led us to Port Dover where we had approximately 81 attendees, 54 of whom filled out the surveys. The atmosphere of this meeting was also a very positive feeling with the majority of residents wishing to see a new multi-plex facility built in the Simcoe area. A major concern for the residents of Port Dover is a new senior centre as they feel the one that we currently have in Norfolk is not up to standard and lacks accessibility. Another reoccurring topic was that residents wish to see an indoor walking track located in the multi-plex facility as well as a new pool.

Info gathered from the paper surveys regarding recreational facilities:

How would you prefer to address this issue?

Repair: 4

Build New: 46

Downtown Simcoe: 5

It has been recommended that a multi-use recreation facility be located in Simcoe. Where would you suggest this facility be located?

Simcoe – outside of downtown: 35

Other: 10

Full Minutes Here

Port Rowan had approximately 51 attendees with 19 residents completing the survey. There were some conflicting opinions at the meeting in Port Rowan. A portion of residents at the meeting felt Norfolk County needs to invest in their area by putting recreational facilities in the west end of Norfolk County. There was also a portion of residents who feel a multi-plex facility is needed in Norfolk County and that the west end of Simcoe would be the best location for it. The residents of Port Rowan are not in favor of a multi-plex facility being built near Fanshawe College. The citizens of Port Rowan were concerned about where the money will be coming from and how much funding we can receive. Another concern for the Port Rowan residents was if a multi-plex were to be built in Simcoe, how would seniors form outside communities get there? Would Norfolk expand Ride Norfolk?

Info gathered from the paper surveys regarding recreational facilities:

How would you prefer to address this issue?

Repair: 9

Build New: 8

It has been recommended that a multi-use recreation facility be located in Simcoe. Where would you suggest this facility be located?

Downtown Simcoe: 6

Simcoe – outside of downtown: 5

Other: 5

Full Minutes Here

Langton was the fourth area Council visited with approximately 65 attendees, 44 of whom completed surveys. A reoccurring concern in Langton is the well-being of their facilities. If a multi-plex is built in Simcoe, a large portion of the residents of Langton are worried they will lose their arena. The residents that were in support of a multi-plex being built would like it to be built on the west end of Simcoe, closer to the centre of Norfolk County. A portion of the citizens at the meeting were frustrated as they feel their tax dollars are always being spent in Simcoe and would like more investment in the smaller communities.

Info gathered from the paper surveys regarding recreational facilities:

How would you prefer to address this issue?

Repair: 25

Build New: 7

It has been recommended that a multi-use recreation facility be located in Simcoe. Where would you suggest this facility be located?

Downtown Simcoe: 5

Simcoe – outside of downtown: 13

Other: 17

Full Minutes Here

The fifth meeting took place in Delhi with approximately 43 attendees, 25 of whom completed surveys. A large portion of the residents who attended this meeting were concerned about the facilities in their end of the County and would like more facilities built in Delhi. The residents feel there is a lack of indoor gymnasium space in the west end of Norfolk County and wish to see something built to facilitate indoor users. A supported suggestion was to build a second gym at the Highschool. The pool at the Annelise Carr Aquatics Centre was also a reoccurring concern in Delhi. They wish to have a new pool built as fixing the existing one would cost too much. The majority of citizens wish to see this pool built in Delhi or the west end of Simcoe.

Info gathered from the paper surveys regarding recreational facilities:

How would you prefer to address this issue?

Repair: 10

Build New: 13

It has been recommended that a multi-use recreation facility be located in Simcoe. Where would you suggest this facility be located?

Downtown Simcoe: 3

Simcoe – outside of downtown: 7

Other: 10

Full Minutes Here

The last meeting took place at the Royal Canadian Legion in Simcoe with approximately, 120 attendees with 67 surveys being completed. The majorities of the attendees at this meeting believe a multiplex is required for Norfolk County and would like it to be built in Simcoe. There was a difference in opinion on where in Simcoe it should be located as 23 residents believe it should be located downtown and 30 residents believe it needs to be on the outside of Simcoe with only 4 choosing to put it anywhere else. A trending concern for a lot of attendees was the senior centre as the current facility is not sufficient.

Info gathered from the paper surveys regarding recreational facilities:

How would you prefer to address this issue?

Repair: 13

Build New: 48

It has been recommended that a multi-use recreation facility be located in Simcoe. Where would you suggest this facility be located?

Downtown Simcoe: 23

Simcoe – outside of downtown: 30

Other: 4

Full Minutes Here

The committee members reconvened twice to discuss and deliberate on the results of the community consultation meetings. The result was the following committee recommendation to council passed as a resolution December 11, 2017:

3. (Black/Luke)
   THAT Staff undertake to draft a Report to Council on January 30, 2018 to consolidate Sub-Committee recommendations, public information, recreation master plan, advise of next steps, and recommend what staff is able to do internally and what staff will need to seek external expertise for.

Carried.

Full Minutes – November 30, 2017

Full Minutes – December 11, 2017

A retired Air Force pilot, Paul works for the Department of National Defence as CC-130J Super Hercules Operational Requirements Manager. He was a competitive swimmer from Brantford and the University of Toronto and is now a Swim Ontario official and parent of three Norfolk Hammerhead Aquatic Club swimmers.

Norfolk County Mayor Kristal Chopp is an airline pilot with degrees in business engineering and law.

A Port Dover resident, Chopp was elected in October of 2018 and officially took office in early December.

As a vice-principal in the Brant-Haldimand-Norfolk Catholic District School Board (BHNCDSB), Sue joined RFAB to give back to the community that has provided her family with many opportunities for the past 27 years.

She’s been a recreational athlete, parent of multi-sport athletes, teacher utilizing many different Norfolk facilities, a soccer/baseball/basketball coach and held a variety of executive roles including athletic director for the BHNCSB, Simcoe Minor Baseball, and others. The mother of three has travelled across Ontario visiting a variety of facilities from hockey arenas, multi-use gymnasiums, both indoor and outdoor tracks, swimming pools and multi-generational community centres.

“The All Norfolk Community Hub will play an integral part in providing quality programming and services for the physical and social well-being of all Norfolk County,” Defreyne said. “It will also provide opportunities to attract young families and keep them in our community.”

Waterford’s Kim Huffman has a background in social services and is a driving force behind the Waterford Farmers Market. Her family has been involved in the local sports scene for many years.

She believes the community hub will add to Norfolk’s economy, health, and wellness, the retention of youth and the potential opportunity for post-secondary growth in our county.

John J. (JJ) Knott is a subject matter resource person in the field of facility management and building energy solutions, specializing in healthcare. JJ brings a range of best practice opportunities developed from over 35 years of experience in operating facilities and consulting for improved energy practices.

J.J.’s main interest is to ensure that the facility is designed and built to the highest standards and that built-in energy solutions are effective and have significant return on investment now and well into the future. JJ will work to assist the team with the development of recommendations for the operation and maintenance of the proposed facilities, and the related energy components. JJ is also concerned about finding innovative ways to re-purpose any existing County facilities that are made redundant as a result of proposed new facility construction.

J.J.’s interest in a hub type facility for Norfolk is deeply rooted in the early days of Norfolk County’s re-establishment as the municipal government. It is based on a belief that Norfolk needs a place for the community to come together, not just through sports but through activities that represent all facets of Norfolk life and culture.

J.J. is a Certified Engineering Technologist, a Certified Energy Manager, a Certified Canadian healthcare facility manager, and a Certified RETScreen Expert. He also brings to the table experience and knowledge in large construction project management, project design and specification writing, and corporate board experience. He also played a role in the sale of Norfolk Power Inc. which led to the creation of the Norfolk County Legacy Fund.

J.J. is Past President and a life member of the Simcoe Kinsmen Club, past president of the Who Did It Club, and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #79. He is also a volunteer for the Lighthouse Festival Theatre in Port Dover.

Gordon graduated from the University of Waterloo with a masters in accounting and obtained his Chartered Professional Accountant’s designation in 2000 and his Chartered Business Valuator’s designation in 2009. Gordon worked at a national accounting firm in Toronto and subsequently provided independent income tax consulting services to a major automotive manufacturer before returning to his hometown of Simcoe to offer his unique skill set to local businesses and families.
Gordon is regularly engaged in providing corporate tax planning, corporate reorganizations, business valuations, business and succession plans, and consulting projects to assist with the development of unique local industries. While these projects are often technical in nature, Gordon’s focus and priority is on his clients, ensuring that the solutions developed are fully understood and carefully crafted to satisfy their business and personal goals.

Away from the office, Gordon enjoys being active in the community through the Simcoe Lions Club, as a director with the Simcoe & District Minor Hockey Association, and through various other sports and community projects. Gordon lives in Simcoe with his wife Becky and children Kaitlyn, Eileen and Michael.

When she’s not in council, Amy Martin is the lead planner at a local firm focusing on weddings and special events. She also serves as the community outreach and fundraising coordinator for the Grand Erie Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada. She has also been a continuing education instructor at Fanshawe College’s Simcoe Campus and helped organized Blood, Sweat, and Cheers – a local fitness fundraiser serving Port Dover’s elementary schools.

Ian is a professional engineer with a master’s degree in public administration. After retiring as Commissioner of Public Works from the Regional Municipality of Niagara, he incorporated his own consulting firm. He is also a former director and president of both the Ontario (OPWA) and the Canadian (CPWA) Public Works Associations.

“As a new resident to Norfolk County I wanted to share the knowledge and experience I gained from a lifelong professional career which involved many similar processes to the Norfolk HUB, and hopefully help turn a long-term dream into a reality,” Neville says.

He hopes the facility will encompass several high-demand facilities and replace several aging facilities in Norfolk.

“The Norfolk HUB will also have a value to the community that transcends the annual dollars invested or the revenues gained from fees,” he adds. “Hubs provide a sense of public pride and increased cohesion for both the community and people of all ages to participate in community activities.  By investing in a multi-use recreational/community facility Norfolk County will be creating opportunities to enhance the well-being of all county residents, improve the local economy, conserve the natural environment and strengthen the community.”

Ian is a Norfolk County Ward 5 Councillor and human resources specialist with Toyotetsu Canada Inc.

Ian wished to join what he calls the “largest undertaking in Norfolk County’s history”, a task that will require expert planning and execution.
“Norfolk County residents want a safe community to raise their children and grow old,” Ian adds. “Taxpayers want an efficient use of resources and a greater return on their investments. Norfolk County residents desire a public space that is accessible to everyone regardless of their age or ability. An improved aquatics centre, ice pad, and seniors space will replace aged infrastructure and will allow for opportunities in the commercial sphere that are yet to come. A recreation and leisure centre is a key component in any community, and this hub concept will ultimately bring Norfolk County closer together.

With a degree from the University of Guelph in political science as well as an opticianry diploma from Georgian College, Ryan Taylor returned to his hometown of Simcoe to work at the family-owned optical business.

During his time at Simcoe Composite School, Taylor was a member of the Sabres basketball teams. At 25, he became the youngest Norfolk County councillor ever.