Friday, June 4, 2021 7 Brooklin Town Crier Town Revises Sports Complex Design The Town of Whitby is making changes to its proposed design for the new Whitby Sports Complex on Baldwin Street South, the direct result of feedback collected through one of the Town's largest community engagements to date. From March 12 to April 2, more than 2,700 people shared their feedback on three possible design concepts for the complex through an online survey and four virtual engagement sessions. Feedback showed strong support for a flexible, active and connected complex design, with a community desire for more outdoor, aquatics and gymnasium space at the facility. Design revisions presented by Town staff at a Special Council Meeting on May 31 being considered as part of the final design concept will include:z• new space for outdoor recreational opportunities, such as skating; 2 additional pool lanes, with a 2nd floor spectator viewing area, which would make the Whitby Sports Complex home to the largest pool in Durham Region; and a double gymnasium. Town staff will be developing a final design concept for Council approval later this year. If approved, construction on the site could begin as early as Spring 2023. QUICK FACTS Whitby's population is expected to grow by approximately 40% over the next 11 years. The new complex will be located on the west side of Baldwin Street South, south of the intersection of Highway 407. Amenities that will remain as part of the design of the complex include: A twin-pad arena with 85' by 190' ice pads Indoor aquatics centre Leisure pool Indoor walking track Flexible spaces to support community programs, meetings, and arts and cultural activities To align with Council's strategic vision on climate change, a variety of environmental sustainability initiatives will be explored during the design process for the complex including LEED Gold and Zero Carbon Building Certifications. View the full results of the survey in Attachment 2 of Staff Report CMS 09-21. Whitby Wants To Know... Is the Town of Whitby's service delivery inclusive? Does the Town provide service delivery that meets the needs of our diverse community? These are questions the Town is asking the community to help answer as it launches a new project to better understand the current state of diversity, inclusivity and equity in its service delivery. The project is called: The IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism) Project - Whitby's Journey to Inclusivity. Its goal: to help the Town identify immediate, medium, and long-term steps the municipality can take to improve services for all residents, regardless of age, ability, race or background. Feedback will be shared with Council later this year and be used to develop a comprehensive action plan to support more inclusive and equitable service delivery. GET INVOLVED Residents, community groups and businesses are encouraged to get involved. There are a number of ways to share your experiences: 1. Complete an anonymous survey between now and June 13 online at connectwhitby.ca/ Idea 2. Residents can register to attend one of two virtual Community Engagement Sessions being held on: Monday, June 21, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 3. Community organizations can register to attend one of two virtual Community Engagement Sessions being held on: Thursday, June 24, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. 4. Business owners in Whitby can also register to participate in one of two business-focused virtual engagement session being held on: Wednesday, June 23, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 28, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to take the survey, visit connectwhitby.ca/Idea QUICK FACTS Whitby's population is expected to grow by more than 40 per cent over the next 11 years. More than 25% of Whitby's population identify themselves as a visible minority. (source: 2016 census through the Region of Durham's Local Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council) More than 1 in 10 Whitby residents are living with a disability (source: 2016 StatsCan Census) The IDEA Project builds on work currently being done by the Town's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, as well as Accessibility Advisory Committee to eliminate barriers for diverse populations and build a community where all people feel a sense of belonging. Through a recent survey conducted by the Town and its Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, 23% of respondents suggested ensuring "public spaces are welcoming and inclusive" as a way the Town can support diversity and inclusion in the community.