🌳🚴♂️ The Town of Olds has a new booking policy for parks & rec facilities! 🏞️ From prioritizing local youth programs to ensuring fair fees, here's what you need to know. 📲 #Olds #Alberta #Community #ParksandRec
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New Booking Policy for Parks and Facilities in Olds: What You Need to Know
The Town of Olds has officially rolled out a revised policy for booking its parks, trails, recreation facilities, and sports fields. This updated policy, initially reviewed in early July and subsequently ratified by the town council later that month, introduces a range of guidelines and priorities aimed at maximizing the usage and management of these public spaces.
Key Points of the New Policy
The revamped policy is designed to better accommodate the diverse needs of those who utilize the town's recreational facilities. It aims to strike a balance between user demands and the economic realities of maintaining these spaces. The policy, which is administered by the town’s chief administrative officer (CAO), also allows for temporary adjustments in service levels if necessary, with the council being informed of any such changes.
Ensuring High Utilization and Safety
One of the core goals of the new policy is to ensure that facilities and sports fields are used to their fullest potential. The policy emphasizes the importance of balancing user needs with efficient operation and management. This approach is geared towards maximizing the value of these public resources, ensuring that they are available to as many people as possible.
The Town of Olds is committed to maintaining high standards across all its recreational spaces. This includes:
Preventative Maintenance: The policy mandates the establishment and maintenance of ongoing preventative maintenance programs. This ensures that facilities remain in good condition and are safe for public use.
Safety and Efficiency: All construction, maintenance, custodial, and operational activities are to be conducted safely and efficiently. This benefits not just the users but also the staff responsible for these tasks.
Standards of Behavior: The policy reinforces the importance of maintaining appropriate standards of behavior at all town recreation facilities, green spaces, trails, and sports fields. This is essential for ensuring a welcoming and respectful environment for everyone.
Fair and Equitable Fees
To make these spaces accessible, the policy includes provisions for setting fair and equitable fees for users. These fees are designed to reflect the value of the facilities while also being fair to all users. Additionally, the policy provides clear guidelines on typical use and scheduling of activities, ensuring that everyone knows what to expect when booking these spaces.
Booking Priorities: Who Gets First Dibs?
One of the most important aspects of the new policy is the prioritization of bookings. This is essential for ensuring that the town's parks and sports fields are used efficiently and fairly. The booking priorities are outlined as follows:
Town-Endorsed Programs: First priority is given to programs and services endorsed or directly funded by the Town of Olds. These could include town-run recreational programs or other services that have received official backing from the council.
Primary User Groups: Regular season programs and services provided by primary user groups receive the next level of priority. These are typically ongoing programs that serve the community regularly.
Youth and Non-Traditional Users: Programs and services for children, youth, and non-traditional users, particularly those offered in partnership with local schools, are also prioritized. These programs are crucial for ensuring that younger and less traditional users have access to recreational spaces.
Non-Profit Organizations: Non-profit organizations in good standing with the Town of Olds, especially those with a majority of participants under the age of 18, are given priority for bookings. These bookings are generally required to end by 9:30 p.m.
Recognized Governing Bodies: Programs and services offered by groups, organizations, or individuals associated with recognized national, provincial, or regional governing bodies are also prioritized. These are typically groups that have a formal structure and established guidelines.
Local Recreational Groups: Local groups or individuals engaging in not-for-profit recreational activities where most participants live within the Olds recreation area are given preference. This helps ensure that local residents have access to these public resources.
Commercial Users: Finally, programs and services offered by private groups or individuals whose primary purpose is to make a profit are given the lowest priority. However, these users still have access to the town's facilities, provided they adhere to the town's guidelines and fee structure.
Off-Season Prioritization and Cancellations
During the off-season, the prioritization of park, sports field, trail, and facility bookings will be determined by the Town of Olds administration. The focus will be on maximizing utilization, ensuring that these spaces are used effectively even when demand may be lower.
The policy also addresses the issue of cancellations. Users who cancel their bookings may lose their right to secure future space and could lose their place in the priority consideration. This is an important measure to ensure that bookings are made thoughtfully and that the town's resources are used efficiently.
No Guarantees on Renewals
Another significant aspect of the policy is the town's stance on the renewal of annual rental time. The policy makes it clear that the Town of Olds does not guarantee the renewal of annual rental slots. This means that even regular users will need to reapply each year, ensuring that everyone has a fair chance to access these facilities.
Handling Unforeseen Circumstances
The Town of Olds also acknowledges that unforeseen circumstances, such as maintenance issues or unexpected closures, can impact facility availability. In such cases, the policy states that the loss of facility space will not be borne by the user and will not impact other users' allocations. This ensures that no one is unfairly penalized due to situations beyond their control.
Conclusion: A Policy for the Future
The revised policy for booking parks and facilities in Olds is a comprehensive approach to managing the town’s recreational spaces. By prioritizing fairness, safety, and efficient use, the policy aims to serve the community effectively while ensuring that these valuable resources are maintained for future generations. Whether you're a regular user or someone looking to book a facility for the first time, understanding this policy is essential for making the most of what Olds has to offer