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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-12-17, Page 9Commufit News Rcreation St on course Next public meeting the important one, consultant says BY ANDY BADER The third public meeting, or Open House, of the Goderich Recreation Master Plan and Feasibility Study was„an informal chance to meet with the consultant, John Stevenson, and the committee members Thursday night at the Goderich Arena's Auditorium. newt meeting for the public (sometime in January 1 would be an important one as the study draws to a close. "The next public meeting is the most im- portant,” Stevenson said to approximately 50 people who attended on a typical winter's night. "We've completed the Date Base report- and the surveys, interviews and statistical information is complete. Next we'll evaluate options or solutions to ad- dress these needs and once they are evaluated, make the necessary recommen- dationsl then test and finalize them before making a presentation to council." Stevenson reviewed the information gathered from the first two public meetings as well as the survey results. -Tonight, we're updating," he said, "as were sharing the results of our research and telling you where we're going from here. We're entering the final stages and we want to make sure everyone's aware of where we're going." Stevenson announced that in 1985, Goderich had a population of 7,285. Pre- school age children comprised 6.1 per cent of the overall total; children aged five to 14, 13.8 per cent; teenagers (15-19), seven per cent; the adult work force (20-64) 54.9 per cent and seniors (65 -years -old and over) made up 18.1 per cent of the overall total. John Stevenson The percentage of seniors in town, Steven- son indicated, are on the increase. In 1976, 14.6 per cent of the total population were seniors (1,080) but in '85, that figure increas- ed to 17.9 per cent, or 1,302. The average person per household has also decreased, from 2.8 people to 2.6. At the same time, an increase has been noted in the single person dwellings. The population income of Goderich is higher than the rest of the county, but below the provincial average. By 2001, Stevenson indicated that the population of the town of Goderich would be in the 8,400 to 9,300 range. "So, there is growth occurring in town," Stevenson said, "but it's slow. That's good, .because then we're not in a process of responding to a rapid population growth. GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1986—PAGE 9 RATES TERM' INSURANCE Ratess for $$100,000.00. 20 -Yr. Annual R & C MALE AGE NON-SMOKER SMOKER 30 $101.00 $146.00 40 ,$133.00 $242.00 50 $231.00 $495.00 60 $429.0-0) $764.00 �lffice Appointment Only ai Sit:IVY 6i'kJr...4b ..C,..u.awu,, .. declining birth Yate and the bulk of the population is aged 20 to 64." Stevenson briefly reviewed the summa- tions of the first two meetings, indicating a strong interest in an indoor swimming pool. The public participated, key leaders were interviewed and a random phone survey was conducted. Two hundred and one households were,surveyed in town, -with 101 houses contacted within the township. Walk- ing, swimming, bicycling, baseball and reading were the top five recreational ac- tivities on the list. "Sixty-eight per cent were also satisfied with what's offered now," he said. Basically, 80 per cent of the people favored a community centre with an indoor pool, some sort of fitness room and the availability of racquet sports. The most popular sites were listed as the industrial mall and agricultural park. Grants, municipal contributions and fun- draising were the ways of raising the needed funds and there was a great support for membership fees, increased taxes and in- creased user fees. The essential components in a proposed community centre was an indoor pool, the installation of teen programs, an activity room with a kitchen anda fitness room. Record year Ontario Wheat handling at the Goderich Elevators was a record 180,000 tonnes in 1986, breaking last year's record of 169,000 tonnes, according to the first half interim financial statement released this week by President and Chief Executive Officer George Parsons. With The Great Lakes navigation season entering its final few weeks, the company has issued an optimistic report on the sue - .cess of the 1986 shipping season locally. Of the pre tax profit of $1,049,687 being reported for the first six months, $668,580 was generated at Goderich, $370,072 was generated at Port Colborne and $11,035 by Clinton Aviation Ltd., a small subsidiary. for shi ping wheat Net incomes for the period of $545,687 or $1.63 per share, compafe with $447,052 or $1.33 for the same period in 1985. The newly -acquired leased operation at Port Colborne has performed well and slightly ahead of target for the first two months at least, said the report dated Nov. 19. While wheat handling proved profitable this year, the outlook for corn is not so good. "Canada's cbrn price is just not com- petitive in the limited world markets and for the first year in many, we may not ex- port corn this fall," said Parsons' report. Parsons also rioted that a union workers strike at Thunder Bay did not aversely af- fect the Goderich Elevators and reports that the union contract at Goderich was settled for two years at approximately three per cent annually. On January 1, Parsons will begin a phas- ed retirement. Concurrently, James Eric Kirk, an Elevator employee for nine years, will be appointed general manager. Vers- ed in engineering and business, Kirk will be conducting more . of the day to day business'and will continue to, be responsi- ble for the Port Colborne operation. Par- sons will remain as president and chief ex- ecutive officer to ensure continuity in managment. • Recreation Department offers winter programs The Goderich Recreation Department is once again offering an interesting and varied line-up of programs this winter. Programs being . offered, include;, ballroom dancing, golf, ladies recreation night, painting with oils, acrylics or water colors, photography, art kids, children's lit- tle theatre, creative drama for youth, gym- nastics, kindergym and crafts, teen recrea- tion night and fitness classes (choose from nine different classes). Of special interest are the teen programs being offered by the• department. The Recreation Department will be offering three programs for young adults this winter in order to fill a need that is often expressed. The programs, creative drama for youth, teen recreation night and youth fitness are for youth 13 to 17 years of age and will be of- fered if enough interest is shown. • As an added dimension to the fitness classes offered by the Recreation Depart- ment, health and medical screening pro- cedures are being initiated. In order to cut down, on serious injuries and medical pro- blem, ,all fitness participants must fill ollt,a ".physical,ae~tivity,readiness questionnaire',' prior to registering for a class. To facilitate this, all participants must pre -register for fitness classes at the recreation office. The fitness instructors will not be talt'ing registrations at the classes. This may be a little less convenient for some participants but it is only in their best interests to insure that there are no medical concerns. One of the fitness classes offered will be a men's aerobics class: This is not a dance class. It will include all the elements of a fitness class with' extra emphasis on en- durance, muscle conditioning and exercise techniques. Registration for all programs will be from December 15 to January 2 at the Recreation Department, 166 McDonald St., Goderich beside the arena. A complete list of all programs offered 1ZL 1 ne square, e.iotee. it;ie 1-800-265-5503 524-2773 this winter is available at the Recreation' Department, the Goderich Branch Library, Town„HaU, King's trl141a TJ'iaf gler Diaeglt{nt. Be sure.to pick one ,aplifiyop did not receive one. For more information on any programs or other services provided by thtecreation Department, drop in or call 524-2125. Happy holidays! FROM THE STAFF AT WILFRED MCINTEE & CO. LIMITED May your home and hearth be blessed with love and laughter of the season: To .all our past customers and our future ones thank you for your trust and recommendations. • A SUNSET CHRISTMAS 'Twas one week before Christmas and all through the Clubhouse, Nota golfer was stirring not even a field mouse. With snow on the fairway and even in the rough, The owners were planning to have all the right stuff. 'When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, We sprang out the door to see what was the matter. Here were the golfers to pay their dues, Wanting the forecast and all the good news. And much to our wondering eyes the golfers did appear, The snow was all gone so they played Throughout the New Year. 'AND MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GREAT SEASON!!!' 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