Elmwood residents are one step closer to learning more about the future of recreational services in their neighbourhood.

Scatliff+Miller+Murray Inc., a local landscape, architecture, planning and communications firm, issued a report on the community’s recreational needs to area residents last week.

The report was a follow-up to a Sept. 21 meeting that was attended by area residents and city representatives to discuss the recreational needs of the neighbourhood after the civic and provincial governments promised $400,000 in funding for the former Kelvin Community Club site and an additional $200,000 for the East End Cultural Centre.

The report outlines the concerns and suggestions that were made by area residents at the initial meeting, including what should be done with the East Elmwood Community Centre, which was destroyed by fire this past March.

It also addresses issues such as safety concerns at the two sites, programming needs and the importance of acknowledging different communities within Elmwood.

A second meeting has been scheduled for Wed., Nov. 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kent Road School, 361 Kent Rd. The follow-up meeting will be an opportunity for community stakeholders to discuss the report’s suggestions and how they might be achieved.

Area resident Carlos Sosa said he is cautiously optimistic about the consultation process. However, he said he is concerned that only six people under the age of 40 attended the previous meeting.

"The city needs to do a better job at engaging the youth, the First Nations community, immigrants, and seniors" he said.

Sosa suggested the key to engaging youth is by going to the schools in the area.

"They really need to go where the youth are," he said. ‘Youth aren’t going to come to a meeting where 90% of the room is over the age of 40."

Ken McKim, project manager with the city’s property, planning and development department, said he was pleased with the results that were generated during the first meeting.

"We always knew it was going to be the first step, and we got some great initial feedback," he said.

McKim said it is still early in the process and the second meeting will provide more detail on the projects.

Sosa said he’s hoping the upcoming meeting will provide more information in regards to timelines for the two projects.

"The residents of East Elmwood need a community centre, but we also need in West Elmwood a community hub. The community has spoken loud and clear," he said.

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adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com