Summary of what people told us... |
May 24, 2016
Older Adult Strategy
GR Pearkes Recreation Centre
16 Participants
When you think about Saanich recreation centres, facilities, trails, and parks what makes them successful? What do you think would make them more successful?
Imaging the best possible future for older adult in our community. What do you see?
1= one group mentioned , 2= groups 3 = three groups
What are some of the barriers that older adults are facing in regards to accessing community recreation?
- more security cameras
- parks are good
- dog bylaws are often ignore
- Impressed with biking trails
- More benches on trails and water fountains
- more signage for dogs on leash
- shared usage areas
Where do you look for information on programs, parks, facilities?
Older Adult Strategy
GR Pearkes Recreation Centre
16 Participants
When you think about Saanich recreation centres, facilities, trails, and parks what makes them successful? What do you think would make them more successful?
- Physical structures
- Outdoor spaces
- Trails—free, no cost. Fun to explore
- Biking trails good
- Two types of older adults; active/less physical. Active pay for all programs but less physical have programs at no cost.
- Adaptive equipment that is appropriate for all disabilities.
- Trails that a person with a disability can use
- New activities to keep the brain going
- Better communication of events.
- Use of media for communication not just the internet
- More consistency of activities between rec centres
- Rec centres less focused and more generalized
- Equal access to use of outdoor space. Allow multiple sports
- Safety priority. Better lighting and more signage in trails and parks.
- Broad range of programs at all rec centres
- Best rec centres for drop in
- Lots of small parks
- More trails added all the time
- Trails well marked
- Parks well maintained
- Good parking/free parking
- Good instructors/excellent/knowledgeable
- Great proliferation of parks—every neighborhood has access to green space
- Appreciate that Saanich can envision that spaces can be a park. Successful planning by Saanich
- Well maintained parks and centres. Attractive.
- Rec centres with libraries are a community hub. All ages and demographics
- Free wifi
- Seniors not categorized. No ghettoization of age group. Integration of all ages. Age not a barrier in Saanich.
- Saanich responsive to users
- Mixture of surfaces on trails useful
- Good opportunities in Saanich
- Very available. Enough centres. Easy to go to. Quality centres
- Impressive range of activities
- Parks and trails accessible creating healthy community
- Well-kept centres. Clean. Nice amenities, friendly.
- Free parking
- Appreciate Vickers art work at Commonwealth
- Staff accommodating. Incredible staff
- Trails well kept. Variety of trails
- Great events in parks. Inclusive of all generations. More events in parks
- More programs needed.
- More efficient use of parks and facilities.
- Better communication.
- Who can host events in parks? How do you book?
Imaging the best possible future for older adult in our community. What do you see?
1= one group mentioned , 2= groups 3 = three groups
- Socialization, physical activity, mental activity X 3
- Opportunities to be involved in meaningful, enjoyable activities X 2
- Affordable programs X 2
- Everything would be free and accessible
- Automatic doors, handicap parking
- Assistance available for those with limited mobility issues
- Inclusive – all abilities, not age related X2
- Have availability for all levels/skills to improve, still want to get better at their sport
- Offer incentives for people to join
- Everyone treated equally (free programs vs paid)
- Less municipalities so it is less confusing, more consistent
- Monthly passes available
- Outdoor washroom facilities available year round, all parks X 3 (each group stated)
- Friendly staff make a big different, people can be turned off X 2
- Consistency of policies across centres (ie holiday hours)
- Adaptive equipment available but staff are not trained on how to use it
- Need ability for advanced players (in any sport) to have time to play together at same level
- Options for different levels
- More things for seniors to do over the holidays X2
- Staff are welcoming
- Would like to see more intergenerational activities
- Grandparents/grandkids to do things together
- Weekend times for intergenerational
- Food services/coffee area in all centres
- Les Passmore offers free popcorn & coffee on movie nights
- Everything accessible by bus
- More events – introduction to a sport day, learn-to day
- Don’t dumb things down as we age ie: swimming lessons are not just for beginners when you are older – still want to improve, don’t hold people to lowest capability, make it progressive from arts to sports X 2
- Not just about socialization, still competitive
- Don’t stereotype us
- Facilities in Saanich are amazing
- Front desk staffed all the time – long way to go upstairs and down
- Dedicated court outdoors for pickleball
- Pickleball is fastest growing sport (comments X 3)
- utilize the open spaces on tennis courts X 3
- Online rental system is not user friendly
- Consistent on rental policies across all centres
- Use tennis courts for multiple uses ie. pickleball
- Upset they cut drop in hours and made rental hours not good time
- Srs drop in is free but pickleball is not
- Best pickleball in CRD
- Best facility at Pearkes
What are some of the barriers that older adults are facing in regards to accessing community recreation?
- Cost ($5 too much for drop in)
- Great to have Annual Pass, would be good to be able to have stops like the paper
- Finding the information
- Too much on web and online
- Not enough hard copies/handout
- Liked the Saanich guide coming in newspaper
- Have available at Malls, Thriftys Fairway
- Hard to get to with mobility, transit
- Finding friends to go with
- More washrooms
- Feeling that seniors are being “punished” - since they get a reduced fee they get off peak hours for programs – if they didn’t come it would be empty
- hours of allocation for sport are a barrier
- Parks –
- more security cameras
- parks are good
- dog bylaws are often ignore
- Impressed with biking trails
- More benches on trails and water fountains
- more signage for dogs on leash
- shared usage areas
- Pools, gyms, yoga are great
- Equipment in centres are good
- May Fitness pass is great, why only May?
- Do fees = costs, cost per sport?
- Not by age but ability
- Tendency for staff to be condescending
- Even the oldest of the old still want to participate
Where do you look for information on programs, parks, facilities?
- Online
- Newsletters
- Front counter in centres
- Look for my specific interest