Family fun

Wellington Recreation Committee changing it up

Earlier this year, the Wellington Recreation Committee (WRC) embarked on a resident survey to see how it can better focus its attention and funds in the coming year. During 2018, the WRC was involved with three annual events in Wellington: Canada Day, Pumpkinfest and Christmas in the Village. It also took part in the Family Day activities at the Wellington and District Community Centre in February this year. Through the survey, residents identified a number of areas for refinement, most notably as it relates to Christmas in the Village.

SOME QUICK STATS
A total of 251 residents completed the survey. Of those, 82 per cent were Wellington residents, 60 per cent were over 55 years of age, 35 per cent were between 31 and 55 years of age, 23 per cent had children under 18, 42 per cent had children over 18, and 35 per cent had no children.

EVENTS
Canada Day will be back in its full glory, with a more robust street dance and a larger fireworks show on June 30. The Canada Day parade will follow on July 1. The WRC wants to make more of the street dance evening, and are adding an opening act or two before the headliner. There will be limited or no music later into the afternoon of July 1. Instead, the WRC has decided to support Picton and its afternoon activities. The survey rated Canada Day weekend as Wellington’s number one event of the year, and also made it clear that the focus should be on fireworks, street dance and the parade. The music in the park was the least important component, and not well attended last year, yet added significant cost of the event—approximately $3,500. The WRC has decided it wants to work with, not compete againt Picton on Canada Day. The committee receives $11,000 annually from the municipality and Federal grants, yet Canada Day weekend alone cost $14,000 last year, so this plan will also be a better use of taxpayer’s dollars.

According to the survey, Pumpkinfest and its parade are Wellington’s number two event. Seventy- four per cent rated the event as either extremely or very important. The post-parade activities are an important part of Pumpkinfest, and this will continue.

The biggest challenge comes with Christmas in the Village. The survey showed this is the WRC’s weakest event, and in need of reinvention. Not only did it have the lowest attendance record, support for the Santa Claus parade was the lowest among the three County Christmas parades. Fifty-four per cent felt it was important versus 76 per cent for Canada Day. The most telling finding: 70 per cent of respondents believe that Picton and Bloomfield have more entertaining parades and that Wellington should develop its own unique Christmas event. Thirty per cent sided with the view that Wellington should have a Santa Claus parade because it’s tradition. At the end of the survey residents were able to express their views in their own words. One respondent had this to say which captured the sentiment of many. “I believe that Wellington should support Bloomfield’s Christmas parade as it is much bigger and well attended. The 2018 Christmas parade was the last one that Wellington on the Lake will participate in. We will, however, continue to support the other two parades.”

Given these results, the WRC will be devoting its funding and volunteer resources to putting on a unique, kid-focused Christmas in the Village event. And yes, Santa Claus will be there, he already has it booked in his calendar.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly of all, the WRC has been given approval by the municipality and council to take over the bookings and daily management of the Wellington Town Hall.

staff, started the process of creating a board of management. This will allow the committee to be responsible for the bookings, as well as day-to-day maintenance and cleaning of the hall. The survey findings provide ample support for this move. When asked how the WRC should prioritize its limited resources, there was desire for more year-round Town Hall events such as kids’ dances and movie nights. The WRC is also hoping to work with Community Care for Seniors and offer seniors programming. Again, respondent comments at the end of the survey provide the insight as to why this is a critical effort. “While community celebrations like Pumpkinfest and parades are important, bringing activities to the community like youth activities and active adult lifestyle opportunities develops a richer community for those that live here year-round,” said one respondent.

The Wellington Recreation Committee is hosting its annual general meeting on Thursday, April 4 at 7 p.m. in the Wellington Town Hall. It will be electing its executive members as well as speaking to the survey data and planning out the year ahead. Residents are welcome to attend with thoughts, comments, ideas, and even criticism. Treats and coffee courtesy of The General will be provided.