Sustainable Project
Posted by Bill Molesworth
on Sep 26, 2012
Several members were not able to attend the Fireside and I had hoped to have a brief review of that meeting out sooner. So, for the record, here's a short report and sorry for the delay.
The concept was for 6 working groups to develop a suggestion for a long term, sustainable project that could make a difference in our community. It should involve partners, require commitments from members and could involve significant funding.
Dave Mink reported for the Community Improvement Committee. He said they had many ideas but focused on the concept of promoting festivals and events in the area by hiriing an co-ordinator who would work with local groups to present events that they were already participating in, who would apply for grants and who would co-ordinate publicity. Space would be needed for this person to work out of and links to the local municipalities would be vital.
Jamie Tripp, for the Education Committee said involving youth and encouraging participation was the key to the idea of starting an Interact Club and both High Schools. The Y, the Boys and Girls Club, The Wye Marsh and the Library are trying to start a Youth Advisory Group and would be partners. Support would have to come from the schools and Rotarians would be required to act as mentors. Funding would be minimal. Once started, the groups should be self sustaining and projects with MARC or other charities could be developed. The challenge is to maintain enthusiasm as students graduate.
Aaron Ledlie proposed the Rotary Club form and fund an Economic Development Corporation that would co-ordinate efforts of municipalities in North Simcoe, market the Region as a whole, act as a business incubator, work to avoid politics and join with organizations like the North Simcoe Development Futures to promote and enhance and initiate job creation throughout the area. He suggested a salary of at least $60,000.00 a year and office and other sundry costs for at least 3 years to get it started.
Fred Hacker said the Health Committee researched 6 separate projects but came down to helping the Trauma Unit at GBGH, which Ron spoke to. He said the area is home to many types of emergencies and accidents. Very busy roads in season but besides that we have boating and snowmobiling accidents, patients from Waypoint and the Jail, an aging demographic with its cardiac arrests etc. Trauma incidents have increased by 50% over the last 10 years to approach numbers reported by hospitals like St. Mike's. Certainly most patients are evacuated but they need to be stabilized first and that needs a large team with modern equipment in a large space. Ron showed a picture of what the current space looks like and compared it to what it should look like. He says patients here deserve better. The Hospital will name it the Midland Rotary Trauma Centre, there is space available and it would cost about $300,000.00 for the equipment.
Tara said that Recreation improves health and spirits, reduces medical costs and adds to enjoyment of life. She hopes to increase year round participation, promote sustainable employment, improve socioeconomic conditions and enhance the community's culture by creating an outdoor RecPlex that would include a splash pad and an outdoor rink that would be used for ball hockey during the summer. It could be located near the soccer fields, on the waterfront or in Little Lake. It would cost plus or minus $500,000.00 if built on Town owned land.
There was discussion on each of these ideas as they were brought forward which I have not reported. There was a vote but I couldn't stay for the tabulations so I understand that it was suggested that the Education project go ahead anyway because of low costs while discussion on the Events and the Trauma ideas would continue.
The concept was for 6 working groups to develop a suggestion for a long term, sustainable project that could make a difference in our community. It should involve partners, require commitments from members and could involve significant funding.
Dave Mink reported for the Community Improvement Committee. He said they had many ideas but focused on the concept of promoting festivals and events in the area by hiriing an co-ordinator who would work with local groups to present events that they were already participating in, who would apply for grants and who would co-ordinate publicity. Space would be needed for this person to work out of and links to the local municipalities would be vital.
Jamie Tripp, for the Education Committee said involving youth and encouraging participation was the key to the idea of starting an Interact Club and both High Schools. The Y, the Boys and Girls Club, The Wye Marsh and the Library are trying to start a Youth Advisory Group and would be partners. Support would have to come from the schools and Rotarians would be required to act as mentors. Funding would be minimal. Once started, the groups should be self sustaining and projects with MARC or other charities could be developed. The challenge is to maintain enthusiasm as students graduate.
Aaron Ledlie proposed the Rotary Club form and fund an Economic Development Corporation that would co-ordinate efforts of municipalities in North Simcoe, market the Region as a whole, act as a business incubator, work to avoid politics and join with organizations like the North Simcoe Development Futures to promote and enhance and initiate job creation throughout the area. He suggested a salary of at least $60,000.00 a year and office and other sundry costs for at least 3 years to get it started.
Fred Hacker said the Health Committee researched 6 separate projects but came down to helping the Trauma Unit at GBGH, which Ron spoke to. He said the area is home to many types of emergencies and accidents. Very busy roads in season but besides that we have boating and snowmobiling accidents, patients from Waypoint and the Jail, an aging demographic with its cardiac arrests etc. Trauma incidents have increased by 50% over the last 10 years to approach numbers reported by hospitals like St. Mike's. Certainly most patients are evacuated but they need to be stabilized first and that needs a large team with modern equipment in a large space. Ron showed a picture of what the current space looks like and compared it to what it should look like. He says patients here deserve better. The Hospital will name it the Midland Rotary Trauma Centre, there is space available and it would cost about $300,000.00 for the equipment.
Tara said that Recreation improves health and spirits, reduces medical costs and adds to enjoyment of life. She hopes to increase year round participation, promote sustainable employment, improve socioeconomic conditions and enhance the community's culture by creating an outdoor RecPlex that would include a splash pad and an outdoor rink that would be used for ball hockey during the summer. It could be located near the soccer fields, on the waterfront or in Little Lake. It would cost plus or minus $500,000.00 if built on Town owned land.
There was discussion on each of these ideas as they were brought forward which I have not reported. There was a vote but I couldn't stay for the tabulations so I understand that it was suggested that the Education project go ahead anyway because of low costs while discussion on the Events and the Trauma ideas would continue.