The Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre is looking at ways to improve user experience and increase utilization.
During the centre's strategic planning session on Jan. 13, the board of directors agreed it was time to revisit how the facility is used.
“The board of the C2 views the facility as one of the gathering places for people in the community. They think we run a great facility, and they want to see if we can find a way to make it even better,” said Bill Rogers, interim CAO for the Centennial Centre.
Over the next few months, the centre will undergo a number of assessments, including one gauging the public's interest in the future of the facility.
These will take place in February and March, with a deadline of March 15. The board will use the results of the various assessments to shape the future direction of the centre.
“There's going to be a major focus on how we can make the centre bigger, better, and generate more use,” said Bonnyville Mayor and Centennial Centre board member Gene Sobolewski. “By 2021, we want to increase the facility's utilization by 25 per cent.”
One of the ways they aim to accomplish their goal is by expanding on the services and recreational activities offered within the C2.
According to Sobolewski, they're hoping to think outside the box when reviewing what to incorporate.
“The C2 is going to look at offering non-traditional programs and services. That could include, but isn't limited to, arts and culture, wellness, health, and the fine arts.”
A separate assessment, due June 30, will be done on what they would need in order to offer post-secondary programming.
Simultaneously, the board will re-evaluate the current services within the space, in an effort to make sure they coincide with the direction of the facility.
“There needs to be a review on post-secondary education. In terms of education, we need to know what's available and what we can do. We're also going to take a look at some of the existing uses, and see if they fit with the general guideline. It's all designed to increase usage,” Sobolewski explained.
Members of the fine arts community could also benefit from a new direction. Representatives of the Bonnyville Fine Arts Society have already met with the board to discuss a possible collaboration.
“They're at a crossroads, and so is the Centennial Centre. We talked about hard issues such as affordability, use of facilities, and longevity. Essentially, we're asking is there a common goal, should we, as boards, start working together?” said Sobolewski.
All of this, with the exception of the post-secondary assessment, will take place over the next two months. Sobolewski acknowledged it's a tall task, but said if it works out, residents could soon be walking into a much different centre than they know today.
“There's a lot of work to do, and there are a lot of goals and timelines. But they're reasonable timelines to be able to achieve our goals. It's going to be a hard days work, but I'm hoping it will pay off.”
