Recreation Facilities Master Plan

The RFMP aims to make sure our recreation facilities, and assets meet the needs of current and future residents. It will include recommendations for facility development and cost planning. We’ll also compare East Hants’ services to other communities in Canada to follow best practices. An interactive review process will involve residents and community groups to ensure their input is heard.

The RFMP will guide decisions about a wide range of services and facility types, including parks, recreation centers and related programs. The priorities will focus on the next 10 years of service delivery while also planning long-term for major facilities.

The RFMP takes into account demographic data, facility conditions, usage levels and growth forecasts. By being flexible and adaptive, this plan ensures that East Hants remains responsive to changing values, emerging trends and new opportunities.

The plan will guide the Municipality’s budgets and long-term planning, aligning with population growth and seeking funding through partnerships and external sources. While it sets the foundation, further work may be needed for specific projects, and public engagement will continue. The plan will be updated every 10 years to stay aligned with community needs.

Strong Community

We will continue to provide services, programs and facilities that allow people to thrive, either directly through the Municipality or in partnership with others. This includes creating spaces for residents to engage in sport, recreation and leisure activities that foster well-being, community connection and healthy lifestyles. By supporting both physical and social infrastructure, we are committed to enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

Sustainable Infrastructure

We are dedicated to providing sustainable infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of our growing community. This means focusing on long-term planning, ensuring our facilities are adaptable and resilient and investing wisely in projects that align with future growth forecasts. Our goal is to develop infrastructure that not only serves the current population but is also ready to meet future demands in a cost-effective and responsible way.

Key reasons why recreation matters in East Hants:

Health and Well-Being

• Recreation promotes health by reducing the risk of illness. Regular activity also lowers stress and anxiety.

Inclusion for Under-Represented Groups and Seniors

• Recreation in East Hants ensures inclusivity for under-represented groups and seniors by addressing barriers like cost and access. Programs promote social connections, physical health and support for people with disabilities, newcomers and low-income families, fostering a welcoming community for all.

Community Building

• Recreation brings people together and builds strong social ties. It creates a sense of belonging by providing safe spaces for people to gather and making the community stronger.

Economic Benefits

• Parks and recreation facilities attract visitors, create jobs and can increase property values. Good parks and facilities can also help lower healthcare costs by encouraging people to be active.

Environmental Responsibility

• Recreational activities like hiking and biking connect residents with the outdoors, promoting the preservation of local parks and green spaces.

Youth Development

• Recreation programs help kids build skills like teamwork and leadership. Kids involved in recreation are more likely to make positive friendships and grow into successful adults.

The project scope of the RFMP will provide recommendations to Council for recreation infrastructure that supports participation in sport, recreation and leisure activities for the next 10 years.

Assets and facilities addressed in the plan may include:

• Ice rinks/arenas
• Pool and aquatic facilities/splashpads
• Fitness/wellness studios (dance and yoga)
• Curling rinks
• Indoor/outdoor tracks and sport courts
• Gymnasiums
• Multipurpose rooms and spaces
• Sport and ballfields
• BMX and pump tracks and outdoor gym equipment