Town of Penetanguishene Community Strategic Plan, 2020 Highlights
A message from our Mayor and CAO: On behalf of Council and Staff, it is our honor to share with you our Community Strategic Plan, 2020 highlights.
This past year, we have experienced many impacts upon our lives that we have not witnessed before, some known and some unknown. Although COVID-19 brought on challenges, we are proud of our staff for persevering and continuing to deliver critical services while working to ensure we stay committed to our Community Strategic Plan. Council has also played an integral role in setting strategic priorities as it relates to service delivery in a fiscally responsible manner during budget deliberations.
We are thrilled that the Arena and Recreation Study has taken shape over the last quarter of 2020. This study is the first step in completing our strategic goal of upgrading our indoor facilities for sports and physical activity. Over the course of 2021, consultants will continue to work with residents to ensure their opinions and needs on a new or renovated arena are heard.
Recreation staff have also worked tirelessly over the year to ensure our facilities were safe for public users and staff. Even while busy with the ever so changing COVID-19 policies and precautions, staff did not let their original goals for completion in 2020 fall short. In late summer, staff secured a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of North Simcoe to run the Penetanguishene Day Camp Program in 2021. This partnership is a great achievement for the Town and aligns with our plan to offer a larger range of program opportunities with reduced barriers to service.
2020 also provided us with the opportunity to come together to engage in the planning and visioning of the Penetanguishene waterfront. The Town was successful in obtaining $40,000 through the County of Simcoe’s Economic Development Program to complete a Town Dock Secondary Plan Study. This study will explore potential new uses and assist with future investment decisions, a key aspect in the Town's 2019-2023 Community Strategic Plan.
We also saw great acceptance for the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) for our historic downtown. We are thrilled to have been able to offer the CIP this year and can already see the difference it has made in nurturing the retention and expansion of our existing businesses, which is a Strategic Plan goal for the coming years.
The attached review represents part of our commitment to keep our residents informed and involved in all aspects of our community and highlights our progress on specific initiatives.
For a full copy of the 2019-2023 Community Strategic Plan and a detailed progress update, please visit www.penetanguishene.ca or contact Town Hall at 705-549-7453. A PDF version of the highlights is also available as an attachment.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the Penetanguishene community. Each and every day, community efforts make Penetanguishene a special, safe place to live and call home.
Sincerely,
Doug Leroux, Mayor and Jeff Lees, CAO
Town of Penetanguishene