THE PLAN

The Plan

• Theme Areas
• Sport Council
• Funding

THE PLAN

Based on the extensive research and input described in the preceding pages of this document, a set of 5 theme areas for the Sport Strategy was developed.

The establishment of a Sport Council was identified as the mechanism which would be the most effective way to ensure the implementation of the strategy.

THEME AREAS:

• Improve communication and co-ordination
• Increase the number of sport participants in Edmonton
• Develop a stable, ongoing base of funding
• Ensure the efficient development, management, and utilization of facilities
• Promote sport in Edmonton

For each of the theme areas, goals and action plans have been identified. These are listed in the following information.

SPORT COUNCIL:

The development of a Sport Council has been identified as the main priority of the plan, with the intention that the Sport Council will play a key role in implementing the five theme areas. It is recommended that 1998 be the pilot year for the Council.

The need for a sport council has been identified through the input of the sport community at numerous meetings including Intersports and the Sport Forum of April 24, 1997. This need was also identified in the sport group questionnaire in March 1997 and by participants at the Oct. 23 update session. Groups have found themselves competing with one another for limited resources and struggling to achieve their mandates with insufficient time, funding, volunteers and profile. Comments from stakeholders have pointed out the need for a common voice for sport, the need for a central information source and the need for a co-ordinating body of some kind to improve communication between sport groups and participants.

The Working Team developed the following mandate for the Sport Council:

"To foster communication among partners in sport and to provide leadership to action; acting as a common voice for sport"

The function of the Sport Council will be:

"To facilitate the implementation of 'For The Love Of It', Edmonton's Sport Strategy."

Proposed Format:

• Membership will be drawn from the sport community
• A board of directors will be made up of 15 individuals and up to 2 City Councillors
• Working committees will be set up for each of the 5 theme areas
• Staff will be hired to work for the council

Year One Action Plan:

• Interim Board in place
• Incorporation completed, including bylaws, founding meeting
• Membership guidelines established
• Office and administration set up including hiring of staff
• Working committees established, work on strategy begun

The support for the idea of a Sport Council has been demonstrated through the feedback received at the sport forum in April, the update session in October, the questionnaire in March and the input and conclusions of the Working Team.

FUNDING:

The primary focus of the Edmonton Sport Council in the pilot year will be to begin implementation of the goals outlined within the five theme areas of the Sport Strategy. The pilot year financial plan outlines the core funding necessary to launch these initiatives and create sufficient momentum to attract additional funding from a wide variety of funders and partners.

The financial plan is structured to reflect this focus and illustrates expenditures in 2 main categories:

• financing Sport Strategy initiatives
• financing Edmonton Sport Council operations

PILOT YEAR CORE EXPENSES

SPORT STRATEGY INITIATIVES

• Communication and coordination   $23,000
• Increasing sport participation   $36,000
• Developing a stable ongoing funding base for sport   $13,000
• Facility development, management and utilization$9,000Sport promotion   $18,000
• Sub Total   $99,000

SPORT COUNCIL OPERATIONS

• Office space   $14,400
• Computer system   $6,000
• Phone, fax, office operations and supplies, meeting expenses   $12,000
• Sub Total   $32,400
• TOTAL   $131,400

PILOT YEAR CORE REVENUES

Multiple revenue sources have been identified to deliberately ensure the Sport Council establishes a broad funding base and that the Sport Council does not compete with existing sport organizations for financial support.

Potential funding sources identified to date include:

• Private sector - Corporate sponsorship
• City of Edmonton
• Foundations
• Individual donors
• Local Lottery funds (1998)
• Membership dues (1998)

The Sport Council Interim Board will attempt to secure funding from as many sources as possible. Efforts will be made to meet some of the basic requirements through gifts in kind, such as office space. Specific projects will be implemented as sufficient funding becomes available.

Improve Communication and Coordination

GOAL: Provide a common voice for sport
By speaking on behalf of all sport groups and organizations, the Sport Council will be able to highlight the benefits of sport for the whole community and provide a strong voice on sport related issues.

GOAL: Improve communication between sport groups and organizations
The Sport Council will act as a central location for gathering and dispersing information to members. The Sport Council will provide a vehicle for discussion and information sharing. A regular newsletter will be distributed to members.

GOAL: Develop and maintain a Sport Directory
Develop a comprehensive, up-to-date list of the sport groups, programs, resources and facilities available in the city of Edmonton.

GOAL: Develop a Resource Centre
Gather and make available information on leadership training, volunteer recruitment, resource management, event hosting, and other areas of interest to members.

GOAL: Create partnerships
Facilitate the building of partnerships through collaboration to avoid duplication and take advantage of shared resources. Ensure that other existing strategies and initiatives are considered and included.

Increase the Number of Sport Participants in Edmonton

GOAL: Remove barriers to participation
Ensure a range of low cost opportunities are made available to economically disadvantaged individuals. Offer a wide range of levels for participation. Ensure opportunities are available throughout the city. Provide trained coaches. Focus on the fun in sport. Strive to provide a positive experience.

GOAL: Increase opportunities for participation
Offer recruitment programs, such as a "Come Try It" event. Support an Edmonton Sport Festival, summer and winter. Encourage creative ways to access and share equipment. Offer and publicize alternatives to traditional sport choices, such as extreme sports, or leagues which focus on participation rather than winning. Provide specialized opportunities where needed, such as "girls only" clubs, or sport camps for teens with disabilities.

GOAL: Encourage lifelong participation
Assess trends and anticipate the need for facilities and resources which respond to the needs of an ageing population. Offer a wide range of opportunities for all ages and ability levels. Encourage sport clubs and Provincial Sport Associations to offer "Master" or "Older Adult" age categories in their tournaments or competitions.

GOAL: Develop a working model for participant-centred sport delivery
Review research on participant-centred sport delivery. Carry out a study to assess current participation rates. Set goals for improved participation rates.

Develop a Stable, Ongoing Base of Funding for Sport

GOAL: Access lottery dollars
Prepare applications for funding opportunities available through lottery revenue.

GOAL: Seek out corporate sponsorship
Provide opportunities for corporate partners to become involved. Recognize contributions of corporate donors.

GOAL: Strive for diversity in funding initiatives
Recognize the need for several sources of funding. Involve many partners, share resources, joint applications.

GOAL: Insure sport is represented on relevant granting committees
Research opportunities for sport representatives to be involved in the granting process.

Ensure the Efficient Development, Management, and Utilization of Facilities
"Facilities" includes swimming pools, arenas, playing fields, gymnasium, trails, golf courses, courts and any specialized venues such as archery ranges, bowling alleys, studios, etc. where sports are played.

GOAL: Produce a comprehensive inventory of sport facilities in Edmonton.
This will include City owned and operated facilities, as well as those owned and operated by educational institutions, private industry and other providers such as the YMCA.

GOAL: Assess the need for new facilities
Research the need for new facilities based on current trends, demographics, university studies, current patterns of use.

GOAL: Identify improvements needed for existing facilities
Research opportunities for upgrades or changes to existing facilities which would better meet the needs for increased use.

GOAL: Review existing strategies and agreements
Review and evaluate existing facility management strategies and agreements, including the Arena Strategy, Total Quality Fields- A Strategy for the Future of Edmonton's Sports Fields, the Aquatic Strategy, A Strategy for the Future- Outdoor Pools in Edmonton and the Home Base program.

GOAL: Create an efficient, centralized booking system
Create a system which will make it easy for users to access the facilities they need at the times they need them.

GOAL: Develop a maintenance schedule
Work with user groups to develop standards and ensure they are met within reasonable time lines.

GOAL: Involve partners
Include users and potential users in the development of plans Involve relevant groups and partners in the development of new initiatives, such as youth representatives when developing facilities to be used by youth.

Promote Sport in Edmonton

GOAL: Improve media coverage
Work with partners in the media to increase the coverage of amateur sport.

GOAL: Develop partnerships, such as schools, universities
Involve partners, from a variety of areas, in promoting the benefits of good sport for all. Work with existing groups, agencies, and organizations whose mandates reflect the goals of the strategy.

GOAL: Create networks with key, high-profile individuals
Recruit well-known and respected community members to act as spokespersons and advocates for the strategy.

GOAL: Recruit, train, and recognize volunteers, coaches, officials, and administrators
Celebrate the successes of those involved in sport development and delivery. Provide training opportunities. Involve parents.

GOAL: Actively pursue opportunities to host major sporting events
Work with partners such as Economic Development Edmonton to attract major events to the city. Coordinate information on bids.