Three new partnership agreements are looking to bring more recreational programming to Loyalist Township.

Noting a need to for more varied programming to improve the health of residents, staff at the community and customer services department brought three partnership agreements to council at their Sept. 11 meeting. The ongoing negotiations are with Lennox & Addington Child Resources (LARC), Kingston Community Health Centre (KCHC), and the YMCA.

Upon reading the staff report, council agreed these partnerships would be helpful in offering more programs to more residents who have varied and specific needs. They approved proceeding with the negotiations, as well as pursuing other similar partnership agreements.

LARC

LARC is offering the EarlyON program at the Leisure & Activity Centre (LAC) for children up to age six. Running Tuesdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m. from September to December, and looking to extend to June 2024. EarlyON is a provincially funded program that aims to provide services and support to parents and children by providing advice, resources, and drop-in programs.

KCHC

KCHC is offering a free six-week series of workshops at the LAC to those with specific chronic conditions running November to December and looking to extend. This program provides people with knowledge, skills and confidence to better manage their chronic conditions.

YMCA

YMCA is offering free fitness balance programs at the Wilton Community Hall from September to March and looking to extend to June 2024. This program will be managed through the recreation & facilities division with space approved by the Wilton Community Association.

Staff noted that with the possibility of more new programs to complement and enhance the current programming, the township can meet a wide variety of recreation and leisure needs in the community. Coun. Paul Proderick spoke about the benefits of partnership agreements for new programming.

"A lot of the presentations at AMO talked about shared partnerships, hopefully shared facilities, maybe shared dollars, and if it allows Loyalist Township to bring programming to Wilton and some of the areas that are maybe underserved because of various reasons, again, a great way to do it," said Proderick.

Any changes or additions to township programming will be communicated via multiple channels including social media, email, and the township website. New programs will be advertised on the same channels, as well as posters around the community, and the quarterly Explore & Play Guide that is delivered directly to homes of residents.

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