Planning for the future of virtual recreation programs
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Have your say on what this looks like by taking an
online survey
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the City of Vaughan mobilized
to continue offering the quality programs and services citizens rely on each
day. For the team in Recreation Services, that meant launching a variety of
virtual classes to ensure residents could stay active and engaged from the
comfort and safety of home.
Now the City is
planning for the future of online programming and is looking for feedback to
ensure these classes and modified services continue to be fun, affordable and
accessible for all. Residents can share their recreation needs and preferences
by participating in an online survey until Friday, March 26.
It is open to anyone who has participated in or is interested in City-run virtual
recreation programs.
The
survey will help inform a new Virtual Program Strategy designed to identify
different interests and skill levels to develop suitable online offerings that promote
healthy, active habits. Respondents will be invited
to participate in a virtual focus group at a future date this spring to discuss
survey results, as well as future program and branding options.
In November 2020, the
City was awarded a $15,000 grant from the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Sport Relief
fund – a national charity committed to helping sport and recreation
organizations continue to deliver programming – to support this work.
Initiatives like the Virtual Program Strategy support the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan through fostering active, safe and diverse communities, enhancing the
citizen experience and improving operational performance.
This spring, the City is offering its biggest line-up ever of virtual
programs, livestreamed via Zoom. There’s something fun for everyone! Choose from creative, culinary and performing arts, to fitness and
sports, science and technology and leadership and life skills.
Virtual
spring programs start Monday, April 5 and run once a week for up to 10 weeks,
for 45 minutes to one hour. Virtual April Break
programs for children run Monday, April 12 until Friday, April 16 for 45
minutes to one and a half hours. For program and registration details
view the Spring Recreation
eGuide
at vaughan.ca/recreation.
At this time, in-person
recreation options are limited in response to COVID-19. Select fitness centres and
pools are
now open on a limited basis. To learn more about the Virtual Program Strategy,
the survey or the City’s online recreation programming, visit vaughan.ca/recreation.
To stay up to date on the latest updates as they
happen, sign up for the City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the
City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Those who feel unwell,
and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19, should contact York Region
Public Health at 1-800-361-5653 or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For
additional information and resources on the virus, visit York Region's website
at york.ca/COVID19.
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