From all of the Friends at Central Park Collingwood, we want to thank the residents that came out to the public meeting at the Legion hall on October 3rd to hear from the Town representative and stakeholders as to how the recreation facilities were developed in Collingwood. We wanted to offer this opportunity for public input as Council rushed the work through over the summer and did not ask the public what their thoughts were.Specific focus was given to the fabric covered pool at Heritage Park and the fabric covered arena at Central Park. We heard resounding disappointment in the lack of consultation, lack of defensible information, underwhelming facilties and a lack of a competitive process to award the work. Over 100 people attended which is more than most public meetings in this town. We have been experiencing technical difficulties but plan to have a video of the meeting on our website and Facebook page as soon as we can.
 
Friends of Central Park Collingwood asked to present our summary findings to Council on October 29th but this has been delayed to 
Monday November 5th, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. This will be an opportunity to hear the summary comments and recommendations that all community members have suggested over the time that this issue has been in the forefront. We urge you to attend the meeting and show your support for good governance. 


If you would like to depute at this Council meeting as well; you could request a deputation by filling out the attached form and forwarding it to the Clerk 
http://www.collingwood.ca/files/Deputation%20Form_Revised.pdf


Friends of Central Park Collingwood is proud of the efforts that the residents have made to fight for good governance and accountable elected representatives; thank you for playing such a strong part in this initiative.


Please send along the invitation to all of your network to attend the Council meeting on November 5th, 2012.
 
We will see you there! 
 
ARTICLE FROM THE ENTERPRISE BULLETIN, BY IAN ADAMS

COLLINGWOOD — It's not likely to make a difference, but now the people have had their say.

On Wednesday night, Friends of Central Park Project hosted its own public meeting on town council's decision for recreational facilities. For more than two-and-a-half hours, people presented their concerns about council's perceived haste in making an $11-million decision, only three days after receiving a report, as well as the decision to not tender the purchase of two membrane buildings from Sprung Structures — one to cover Centennial Pool, and the second for a new ice surface at Central Park.

While there were were five people on the panel at the front of the Normandy Room at the Legion, ready to answer questions, it was the town's acting-CAO Ed Houghton who found himself on the hot seat for most of the evening, as the crowd peppered him with queries on the process.