Upcoming meeting preview for Committee - Community Services on September 23, 2026 5:30 PM.

This preview is based on the published agenda package and supporting reports.

One-Sentence Summary

On September 23, 2026 at 5:30 PM, the Committee reviews Ice Allocation Policy CS17 and considers Liz Buckton’s report on the City of Owen Sound Updated Official Plan (2026).

Whole Agenda Summary

On September 23, 2026, at 5:30 PM, the Committee on Community Services will review updates on capital projects and policy proposals aimed at enhancing municipal services. Staff will present that the Weaver’s Creek Boardwalk is substantially complete, while engineering analysis has so far failed to identify safe interim measures for severe slope failures on the 9 Bends Trail. The meeting will consider a recommendation to draft an updated Ice Allocation Policy, which proposes reducing allocation periods from three to two years and adding a thirty-day notice requirement for re-booking cancelled time. Additionally, the committee will discuss requests to name new amenities, including painting up to six utility boxes in the River District with water-inspired designs in early spring 2027 and renaming the Kelso Beach playground and boat launch to honour specific families. Proposals also include initiating a tender for the Greenwood Cemetery Chapel restoration, estimated at $1,384,413, and establishing draft criteria for a new biannual Community Ambassador Award with an annual budget of $1,000. Staff will seek direction on park naming for the site at 823 5th Avenue East based on voting results favouring ‘Niisinaabe-ki’. Finally, the committee will examine the City of

Most Newsworthy Agenda Items

  • The Committee - Community Services is scheduled to receive a report from Liz Buckton on the City of Owen Sound Updated Official Plan (2026), which incorporates public feedback and aims for 30% affordable new housing via Community Improvement Plans.
  • Staff will present a capital projects update indicating the Weaver’s Creek Boardwalk project is substantially complete, while engineering analysis has so far failed to identify safe interim measures for severe slope failures on 9 Bends Trail.
  • The committee will consider a proposal to direct staff to draft an updated Ice Allocation Policy following recent analysis of utilization data and stakeholder input regarding Minor Sports Groups.
  • Proposals include reducing ice allocation periods from three years to two and shortening contract return deadlines, with a thirty-day notice requirement added for the City to re-book cancelled time.
  • Staff will present a recommendation to request City Council approval for painting up to six utility boxes with water-inspired designs in the River District during early spring 2027.
  • The committee is scheduled to consider a tender recommendation for the Greenwood Cemetery Chapel restoration involving approximately 452 indoor niches and an estimated total cost of $1,384,413.
  • Proposals include naming the Kelso Beach at Nawash Park Playground ‘The Order of Good Cheer Walden Family Playground’ and the boat launch ‘Ted Bluhm East Side Boat Launch’.
  • Staff will request a ten-day public notice for naming the park at 823 5th Avenue East Niisinaabe-ki after receiving 70 unique submissions from 1,203 total responses.
  • The committee is scheduled to consider draft criteria for a new biannual Community Ambassador Award recognizing individuals or groups who enhance the city’s reputation with an initial operating budget of $1,000.
  • Staff will present letters requiring direction from the Committee - Community Services regarding specific matters before the full Council via the public forum agenda item.
  • A memorandum detailing development progress for July and August 2026 is scheduled for consideration, noting construction underway at specific sites alongside new permit issuances.
  • The agenda proposes a discussion on site plan approval matters regarding the redevelopment of 1115 10th Street East into a multi-unit building, referencing a refusal outcome from the City of Owen Sound.
  • Ice Allocation Policy CS17 Review and Update: The Facilities Booking Coordinator recommends that City Council direct staff to draft an updated Ice Allocation Policy following stakeholder consultation and analysis of current utilization data. Staff advise maintaining the existing policy framework during the review period unless urgent operational amendments are required, noting significant increases in minor hockey demand since the 2016 revision. The report details a two-year pilot programme that increased participation but reduced local resident percentages, prompting new requirements for thirty days notice to allow re-booking of cancelled time. Specific updates include reducing allocation periods from three to two years and shortening contract return deadlines from four weeks to two. Proposed steps involve creating a project page on OurCity to link a draft redlined policy with background reports for public engagement via social media and email surveys. The policy defines Minor Sports Groups as non-profit recreational organisations based in Owen Sound dedicated to youth sports under eighteen, requiring constitutions and audited financial statements. Seasonal organisations utilising facilities weekly may receive grandfathered status if they maintained the same ice hours for two or more consecutive years prior to the 2009/10 season. The policy restricts adult ice allocation before 9 p.m.
  • Report from Liz Buckton, Grey County Senior Policy Planner Approval of City of Owen Sound Updated Official Plan (2026): The Committee approved the City of Owen Sound Updated Official Plan (2026) adopted by By-law No. 2026-029, subject to minor modifications attached in Appendix 1. The plan incorporates public feedback and aligns with provincial policy and Grey County growth forecasts extending to 2051. Approval will formally repeal the former 2021 official plan upon coming into force. The updated Official Plan includes revised definitions of affordability and supports a goal for 30% of new housing to be affordable. It encourages tools like Community Improvement Plans and zoning by-laws to support affordable housing creation and maintenance. The plan also promotes land-banking of public lands and housing-first disposal of surplus lands to meet community needs.
  • City of Owen Sound Community Ambassador Award: The Community Services Committee recommends that City Council approve draft criteria for the new Community Ambassador Award recognizing individuals enhancing Owen Sound’s reputation. The proposal establishes a biannual award with an annual operating budget of $1,000 and outlines eight core requirements including positive representation, civic pride, and community impact. A draft scoring tool evaluates nominees on specific categories such as leadership and alignment with City values using a ten-point rating scale. The report notes that all 17 initial nominees listed in the draft criteria received a score of zero and were marked as not eligible. Staff is directed to finalize award forms for 2027 and integrate this recognition into the annual Volunteer Award process beginning that year.
  • Capital Projects Update - Weaver’sCreek, 9 Bends Trail, Kelso Beach at Nawash Park Playground and Splashpad and Harrison Park Rainbow Bridge: The Director of Community Services reported that the Weaver’s Creek Boardwalk project is substantially complete following a contract award to TDI International Ag. Inc Land Restoration for $189,000, with civil work quotes targeted for late June 2026 and construction drawings prepared for a tender package deadline of June 8, 2026. Staff recommended allocating $10,000 from previous funds to support engineering analysis for the 9 Bends Trail because severe slope failures prevented identifying safe interim measures to reopen the closed trail, while the 9th Bends Trail and Roadway Restoration planning initiative is scheduled for initiation between December 31, 2026, and July 1, 2027. Additionally, the Harrison Park Rainbow Bridge replacement was estimated at $160,000 with implementation targeted for 2027 after a July 2026 inspection identified structural deterioration in steel components necessitating an immediate prohibition of vehicle crossings. The Kelso Beach Splashpad upgrade and playground replacement received a $638,800 budget with construction scheduled to start in October 2026 and finish in May 2027, alongside the Kelso Main Stage Pavilion project scheduled to begin in late June or early July 2026. Council approved a request to re-name Ryerson Park, and completed projects included the Harrison Park Storage Bay Roof replacement and Tom Williams Washroom Building renovation.
  • Park Naming at 823 5th Avenue East - Name Recommendation from Voting: The Community Services Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to provide public notice for naming the park Niisinabe-ki and bring forward a by-law to adopt the name. Staff will request Communications staff to review requirements for identifying information, noting that 70 unique submissions were received after removing duplicates from 1203 total responses. The report presents vote results where Ryerson School Park leads with 31.4% of inputs, but staff recommends removing this option due to working group direction, leaving Niisinaabe-ki Park as the preferred alternative for Council approval after a ten-day public notice period.
  • Greenwood Cemetery Chapel - Updated Business Case: The Community Services Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to proceed with tendering the Greenwood Cemetery Chapel restoration project in January 2027. The updated business plan estimates total project costs at $1,384,413 for constructing approximately 452 indoor niches and adapting the 1905 heritage building.
  • Kelso Beach at Nawash Park Playground and East Side Boat Launch - Naming: The Community Services Committee recommends that City Council direct staff to bring forward by-laws naming the playground ‘The Order of Good Cheer Walden Family Playground’ and the boat launch ‘Ted Bluhm East Side Boat Launch’. This proposal honours contributions from the Order of Good Cheer and a confirmed $100,000 grant from the Walden Family Foundation for the project. The renaming also recognizes Ted Bluhm’s significant involvement in the original community-led boat launch project and his service to the Order.
  • River District Public Art Installations by ArtCures Grey Bruce, Approval of Utility Box Project: The Community Services Committee recommends City Council approve painting up to six utility boxes with water-inspired designs by ArtCures Grey Bruce in early spring 2027. The project aligns with Vision 2050 and utilises a $200 budgetary allocation for promotion pending River District Board of Management approval in 2027. Completion is subject to technical parameters regarding paint coverage and infrastructure access. Conditions require $5 million insurance and approval from the Manager of Public Works & Engineering.

What To Watch

  • Which agenda items move forward to formal recommendations.

  • Whether staff proposals trigger additional public consultation or revisions.

  • Follow-up actions, timelines, and any deferred items.

Read full agenda archive page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2026-09-23

Transcript will be published here: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2026-09-23

Original Agenda Package Links

Supporting Attachments

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=ae8727d3-9acb-4694-b729-1cebd629f7a4