STAFF REPORT

October 21, 1999

To: Scarborough Community Council

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject: L'Amoreaux Seniors - Line Dancing

SCARBOROUGH AGINCOURT

Purpose:

Responding to the motions adopted at the Scarborough Community Council Meeting held on October 12, 1999 regarding the Seniors Line Dancing Program at L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre, Ward 17, Scarborough Agincourt.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) commencing in January 2000, the two-hour line dancing program at L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre be reinstated consisting of one-hour of 'Instruction', followed by one-hour of registered free Drop-in.

(2) there be no change in the Instructional program fee of $18.00 for this nine-week activity.

(3) staff undertake a review with the participants, following the Winter/Spring Sessions, to ensure that the recommended format meets their needs.

(4) on-going dialogue with the seniors continue to be conducted through the staff at the L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre with respect to any further changes in service delivery.

(5) staff work towards the establishment of a Centre Advisory Committee at L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre which is reflective of all user groups.

Background:

In response to the concerns of the seniors' line-dance participants at L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre, Scarborough Community Council at their meeting of October 12, 1999, passed the following motions requesting the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism :

(a) to reconsider and reinstate the two-hour line dancing program at L'Amoreaux Community Centre;

(b) to reinstate the fee of $13.00;

(c) to conduct an ongoing dialogue with L'Amoreaux Seniors to discuss any changes in future fee structures;

(d) to report back to Scarborough Community Council on a public consultation process for any future changes;

(e) to consider establishing an Advisory Group at L'Amoreaux Community Centre; and

(f) to report on all of the foregoing to the Scarborough Community Council meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 9, 1999, such report to be considered at 5:00 pm.

Since receiving the above request, staff have held a total of four meetings with seniors consisting of the deputants, members of the Seniors Advisory Committee and some participants of the line dancing program.

The purpose of the meetings was to explore various options to meet their needs, while at the same time adhering to general principles and guidelines of the user fee decision(s) made by City Council.

The recommendations put forward (Items A and B) by staff, reflects a consensus by the group, as a reasonable option for implementation in January 2000. It is understood, however, that a review will follow to ensure that their needs have been met.

Community Council also asked staff to report back on a public process for any future changes.

The recommendations before you suggest the following be undertaken :

(a) a review of the program with participants following the Winter/Spring Sessions

(b) on-going dialogue with staff at the Centre

(c) staff to work towards the establishment of a Centre Advisory Committee.

It is felt that these initiatives will ensure that a variety of mechanisms for public consultation will be in place in the future.

Staff were also requested by Scarborough Community Council to consider reinstating the previous fee of $13.00 for nine weeks of instruction. The present fee across the former cities of $18.00 for nine weeks was the result of Council's direction to average the previous fees and add 20%. The following information is the basis upon which the calculations were made to arrive at the current harmonized fee of $18.00 for nine weeks of instruction in all line dances classes across the City.

Former City	Cost of Instructional Classes	Length of Class
Etobicoke	$22.00 for 10 weeks of instruction	1 hour
East York	$22.00 for 10 weeks of instruction	1 ½ hour
North York	$10.00 for 10 weeks of instruction	1 hour
Scarborough	$13.00 for 9 weeks of instruction	2 hours

Total

$67.00 for 10 weeks of instruction

Total $67.00 for 10 weeks

Average $67.00 divided by 4 plus 20% = $20.00 for 10 weeks

New Price $18.00 for 9 weeks

Conclusions:

(i) Reinstate two hours of line dancing.

(ii) Offer one hour instructional program at $18.00 for nine weeks followed by one hour of drop-in for free, thus providing two hours of consecutive line dancing.

(iii) Continue to monitor and review the program to ensure satisfaction of clients.

(iv) Liaise with seniors on an ongoing basis and work towards the inclusion of senior

representative(s) in the proposed Advisory Council for the L'Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre.

Contact:

Lorrie O'Brien

Manager, Parks & Recreation-North Region, East District

Tel : 396-4192

Fax : 396-5399

E-mail : LObrien@city.scarborough.on.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Devlopment, Culture and Tourism