Top 10 List of why you MUST VOTE on Oct 27th Number 8 Recreation and health

Each year when your community allocates its budget, one of the largest items that is set aside is for recreation, health and active lifestyles.  Consider the parks, trails, bike paths, Senior Centres, pools and arenas, not to mention every other aspect of the social well being spectrum.  When you consider all these you can see that your local government has a interest in your well being, whether it is is health related or your social well being.

When we go to build new parks, or arenas or any other major recreation facility, we do not do it willy nilly.  It is after much consultation, consideration and planning.  Whether is a small neighbourhood park, a large community style park or an arena, we plan in advance as to where they will be located.
But recreation is more than parks.  It is also people.  Having services in our health, social services and recreation departments geared to people of all ages is a base competency of municipalities.

We provide daycare, seniors centres, learn to swim, day camps, adult day programs.  We also teach people active lifestyles with programs to learn to skate, swim, play tennis and the list goes on.

One of the reasons Municipalities do this is unlike the other orders of government, we can respond to the needs of your own community.  We can, based on what our community needs, plan programs that they want.
Halton Hills has a young community and the need for services geared for that will be needed for a while.  We have a high percentage of arena usage which predicated our need to build the arenas we are doing now.
We have an active seniors community and our commitment to their centres is evident by the recent expansion done in Acton and our finding a solution in Georgetown.
Our trail system has expanded greatly the last few years and are a very popular way for people to get exercise, socialize and remain active.
When the candidates come to your door ask about their views on recreation, health and social services we provide.

Actons Splash Pad!

We get invited to a variety of events. Sometimes it is a new shop keeper or owner who has asked us to come out and bring greetings and well wishes as they embark on a new venture. Sometimes it is a innovative company like Zuraw technologies that is creating Bio Fuels from old waste oils. Sometimes it is new trails and other town initiatives.

Yersterday was a special day as we open and celebrate the new Acton Splash Pad. The Splash Pad is located in prospect Park and over looks Fairy Lake. A fish theme is being used with a giant fish overhead, 3 bobbers that have nozzles and a fishing pole.

The Geng Family that has owned Superior Gloves in Acton for many years have very generously donated to the building and it will bear the name “Superior Glove Splash Pad.” Dufferin Aggregates generously donated to it as well. This helps defray the cost for it which was over $500,000.


I had raised the idea of a Splash Pad in Acton almost 10 years ago and had a resolution passed by Council asking staff to look into one. In 2007 Mayor Rick and I along with Councillor Fogal sat on the Recreation and Parks Strategic Action Plan which confirmed the need for a Splash Pad to replace the wading pool that was on the site.
At the public open house last year, we looked at a variety of options, from keeping the wading pool, to incorporating the splash pad into the pool to a stand alone splash pad. In the end the option of a stand alone splash pad was decided. Especially in light of the age and over all condition of the wading pool.
The wading pool was opened in Acton as a centennial project and each year was requiring more maintenance and had reached well past it expected life span. A Splash Pad will provide over 1,000 hours of availability in the summer for relief from the heat, compared to just over 100 for the wading pool.


The opening ceremonies today were a lot of fun and everyone had a great time. What a crowd… The kids were waiting until the water flowed and finally Terry Alyman the Rec and Park Director for the town had to say “What are you waiting for?” A couple of hundred kids swarmed the pad and started playing having a grand time.

What a blast…