HKCC – Meeting1 December 3, 2015

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County of Renfrew HEALTHY KIDS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

KICK OFF MEETING
December 3, 2015
Settlers Hall, Travelodge Pembroke

A meeting of the County of Renfrew Healthy Kids Community Challenge was held in the Settlers Hall room at the Travelodge Pembroke, 900 Pembroke Street East.

Present were:Amy Sicoli, Renfrew County District School Board

Barry Fields, Recreation Committee,Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch, Raglan

Brian Brohart, Co-Chair

Christine Armstrong, Town of Deep River

Crystal Fischer, Township of Head Clara Maria

Crystal Schroeder, YPSP Columbus House

Dana Jennings,Planning-Zoning Community Development, Eganville

Darlene Lynch, Secretary II, Child Care Services

Dave Alexander, Forester Falls Athletic Association

Reeve Debbie Robinson, Township of Laurentian Valley

Mayor Deborah Farr, Township of North Algona Wilberforce

Emma Holman, Project Coordinator

Geoff Patterson, Recreation Director, Township of McNab/Braeside

Glenn Arthur, Director of Recreation, Arnprior

Greg Lubimiv, Phoenix Centre

Heather Casey, Children’s Garden

Jackie Agnew, RCHC, Councilor,Township of Bonnechere Valley

Jean Fields, Recreation Committee, Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch, Raglan

Jennifer Dubreuil, Bonnechere Valley

John Leitch, RCCDSB

Jordan Durocher, Recreation and Tourism, Pembroke

Judy Mulvihill, Co-Chair

Katie McEwen, Pineridge Children’s Centre

Kayla Janke,Administrative/Council Clerk, Township of Laurentian Valley

Kevin Hill, Recreation Director, Renfrew

Kim Groskleg, Community Resource Centre, Killaloe

Lara Mylly, White Water Bromley Community Health Centre

Lil Gruntz, Chair, Recreation Committee, Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch, Raglan

Maria Mayville, Township of Killaloe Hagarty and Richards

Mary Cahill, Outreach Coordinator, RCDSB

Mia Harle, Guest Speaker Fellows High School

Michael Barber, County of Renfrew, Media Relations/Grants Coordinator

Paul Nopper, Recreation and Community Development, Township of Madawaska Valley

Warden Peter Emon, Community Champion

Rhonda Miller, Ontario Works Agent

Ron Conway, City of Pembroke

Rick Klatt, Outdoor Education, RCCDSB

Shawna Babcock, Coordinator, Healthy Communities Partnership

Victoria Thomas,Community Affairs Officer, Township of Greater Madawaska

Item / Discussion/Outcome / Action
Introductions / Mrs. Judy Mulvihill introduced herself, Manager of Child Care Services with the County of Renfrew and Co-Chair of Healthy Kids Community Challenge Steering Committee. Mrs. Mulvihill introduced Mr. Brian Brohart, Health Promoter with Renfrew County and District Health Unit and Co-Chair of Healthy Kids Community Challenge Steering Committee. Ms Mulvihilll introduced Ms. Emma Holman as the Healthy Kids Community Challenge Local Project Manager with the County of Renfrew Child Care Services office.
There were a total of 40 participants at the meeting and all attendees introduced themselves, their name and job title. There were a lot of new faces that represented a wide variety of partners from across the County of Renfrew.
Updates / Three key items that came out of the October 28, 2015 meeting were long-term and sustainable changes, accessible for all children, collaboration and partnership development across domains.
There are pressing deadlines due to funding for the first year being expended on March 31, 2016. The Theme Based Action Planis required to be completed by December 9, 2015. Decisions regarding activities and challenges for the Run. Jump. Play theme. The next challenge is the Snowman Challenge taking place from February 15-26, 2016. / Mrs. Mulvihill,
Mr. Brohart and
Ms. Holman to complete Theme Based Action Planby December 9, 2015.
Mrs. Mulvihill and Ms. Holman provided awards to all Chalk Challenge participants present at the meeting, as everyone who participated are winners. Participants include:
  • Township of Bonnechere Valley
  • Township of Greater Madawaska
  • Greater Madawaska Fire Department
  • St. Joseph's Elementary School
  • Township of Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards
  • Lil’ Troopers North
  • Child’s Paradise
  • Deep River Nursery School
  • St. Thomas the Apostle
  • A.J. Charbonneau Public School
  • Garderie L’Arc-en-ciel
  • Elevate Youth Fitness Studio
  • Renfrew Parks and Recreation Department
  • Golden Lake Girl Guides
  • Our Lady of Fatima School
  • The Children’s Garden
  • Game ON! Youth Program
Physical activity equipment lending hubs (PALH) are a centralhubof physical activity equipment that would be available to residents. It allows local residents to borrow equipment at no cost for a specified length of time. The equipment is available to local schools, community groups, individuals and families.
South Dundasopened a sports lending library in 2014 with the Ontario Trillium grant and has been successful with their first 2 years of operations. The Recreation Program coordinator is learning about the most popular items and adjusts the inventory according to the needs of the community. Usage has doubled from their first year to the second year of operation, with 84% of days from April to September equipment being borrowed. The coordinator takes reservations for equipment and ensures he (or a colleague) is able to supervise pick up and drop off of equipment (as well as loading in the case of canoes/ kayaks). They have had limited issues with damage or maintenance and the borrowers sign a liability form stating that they are responsible for any damages incurred. The coordinator approached sports equipment companies and was able to secure discounts for the equipment.
Currently in Renfrew County there are municipalities already participating in “lending hubs” as follows: Petawawa, McNabBraeside, Renfrew and Killaloe. We need to recognize what is happening in the County already. What is working and what isn’t working? Feedback from the launch meeting was that we need to learn from programs that are successful already, and build on current infrastructure. We can learn from thesecommunity‘champions’ for the initiative.
Guest Speaker / Mr. Brohart introduced Ms. Mia Harle a grade 12 student from Fellows High School who recently participated in the SHAD program. The SHAD program provides the opportunity for students to attend a month-long summer program focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering & math).Ms. Harle thanked everyone and expressed that she was honoured to be invited to the meeting to share her group’s idea of the Play Pod.
The theme of the SHAD program this summer was “why don’t you go outside and play”. Ms. Harle and her group focused on 5 key factors when considering a product idea as follows :
  • Accessibility
  • Spontaneity
  • Affordability
  • Flexibility
  • Convenience
Ms. Harle and her team won the SHAD competition with their product the PlayPod, a free-standing, modular structure that houses sports equipment. This module would be compatible with a library card to borrowsports equipment and return to module. These PlayPodswould be located in public parks and recreational areas. To mitigate costs on purchasing and maintaining this module, there will be space available for advertising.
Attached as Appendix HKCC-I is Ms. HarlePlayPodpresentation with additional information.
Community Engagement / Mr. Brohart thanked Ms. Harle for her presentation and stated that it is refreshing to hear a “Dream Big, Think Big” idea. Ms. Harle’sPlayPod idea is highly engineered and well thought out as a hypothetical prototype and it is encouraged for this rest of the group to “Dream Big, Think Big.”
Ms. Holman took over the meeting and introduced the “Think Bold” activity where each table brainstormed ideas about where physical activity equipment lending hubs should be located. What equipment should be available? How people will access the hub? Who will use the equipment?
Attached as Appendix HKCC-II are the results from the “Think Bold” activity.