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REPORT TO
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Report Number: OES 35-08 J
Date: October 14, 2008
From:
Everett Buntsma
Director, Operations & Emergency Services
Subject:
Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program
File: A1440
Recommendation:
1. That Report OES 35-08 regarding the Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass
Program be received;
2. That Council approve the Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program for Grade 5
students to have free access to City of Pickering public swim and public skate
programs; and
3. That the appropriate officials at the City of Pickering be given authority to give effect
thereto.
Executive Summary:
The objective of the Grade 5 Action Pass Program is to reduce financial barriers to
youth and promote physical activity, in order to get youth (specifically Grade 5 students)
more active. The City of Pickering is recommending making all public swim and public
skate programs free of charge to Grade 5 students with the use of the Grade 5 Action
Pass. The other Durham Region municipalities that are participating in the Grade 5
Action Pass program will also be designating free programs for access to Grade 5
students.
Durham Lives! Steering Committee has provided funding of $4,000 for the
implementation of the Grade 5 Action Pass commencing this fall. The funds received
will be used for promotion of the program, as well as the costs associated with providing
membership cards to each participant.
Report OES 35-08
October 14, 2008
Subject: Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program
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Staff anticipate minimal impact to the Culture and Recreation current budget with this
program, but an increase in program revenue may be experienced as families
participate together.
Financial Implications:
The City of Pickering will experience minimal impact on the current budget to implement
this program because it is believed that many of the children this pass targets are not
consistently participating in drop-in recreational activities at our facilities, therefore
creating minimal revenue loss. It is possible that a revenue increase would be
expected as it is assumed the student may participate with someone, including a
parent, sibling, or friend, who is not in Grade 5 and who is not currently participating. It
is also the end goal of this program that students would continue to participate in
activities well beyond their Grade 5 year.
Although the City of Pickering does not currently have statistics for Grade 5 student
participation in our public swim and public skate programs, it is anticipated that an
increase in overall participation will occur in both paying and non paying participants,
based upon the concept of families participating together.
Sustainability Implications:
The Grade 5 Action Pass Program supports development of a safe and healthy
community, through encouragement of active participation. The program contributes to
the physical, social, and emotional wellness of residents, and promotes the benefits of
active living. The Grade 5 Action Pass will expand opportunities for children and youth
to participate in quality sport and physical activity.
Background:
Durham Lives! was formed in 1998 as a result of funding from the Ministry of Health
and Long Term Care. Durham Lives! promotes physical activity, healthy eating, and
smoke-free living for a healthy community. The municipal working group focuses on the
physical activity component. Representatives in the Physical Activity Group include
Municipalities of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, Clarington, as well as the Oshawa
YMCA, the Region of Durham Health Department, Heart and Stroke Foundation,
Oshawa Senior Citizen's Centre, and Metroland News Group.
Just over one third of children and youth meet the guidelines for optimal growth and
healthy development (Active Healthy Kids Canada, 2008). Children's habitual physical
activity levels are low, and more importantly, these levels decline dramatically from
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report OES 35-08
October 14, 2008
Subject: Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program
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17
childhood through adolescence. In addition to their bodies changing and activity levels
decreasing, adolescence is an age where the children are becoming more independent
and wanting to get involved in their own activities, but at the same time they still have
strong family ties, and want to be involved in their family happenings.
Durham Lives! would like to target ten year olds with a Grade 5 Action Pass to generate
an interest in fun activity that may carry on into future years, and maintain a regular
commitment to fun physical activity throughout their teens, as well as to help address
the rising obesity & inactivity being experienced in this age group.
The Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program is being targeted to the Grade 5
demographic based on historical research findings on physical activity patterns. This
research shows that during the pre-teen ages of 11 and 12 years there is a decline in
physical activity. This trend can be attributed to hormonal changes, rapid growth in the
body, peer pressure, self esteem, and confidence. The Grade 5 Action Pass will
generate interest in fun activities, allowing the youth to maintain a regular commitment
of physical activity throughout their teen years, as well as help address the rising
obesity and inactivity levels experienced within this age group.
The objective of the Grade 5 Action Pass is to reduce financial barriers to youth and
promote participation by providing a free activity pass to get more youth more active.
The pass will be offered to all students during the year they are in Grade 5. It is
recommended that the Grade 5 Action Pass include free access to public swim and
public skate programs.
There are many community benefits that can be realized through participation in this
program:
· Assisting in getting inactive kids off the couch or the computer and into municipal
facilities creating a healthier community;
· Changing lifestyle behaviours in children at an impressionable age, whereby they
may choose to invest in themselves once they have moved beyond the program
by continuing to participate in future grades;
· Providing families for which fees may be a barrier to participation, an avenue to
participate in our facilities and activities;
· Encouraging families as a whole to become more active by participating in our
facilities and programs with their Grade 5 child or sibling(s).
CORP0227 -07101 revised
Report OES 35-08
October 14, 2008
Subject: Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program
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Each Grade 5 student in Pickering will receive a letter from Durham Lives! and will be
required to come to the Pickering Recreation Complex to receive their Grade 5 Action
Pass, by showing identification provided by Durham Lives!, and the Durham District
School Board or the Durham Catholic District School Board.
Page 4
The success of the program will be tracked and evaluated by the number of participants
registered for the program. The Durham Lives Physical Activity Working Group will also
conduct surveys pre and post program. At the time of registration, the student will
complete a survey and again nearing the end of the program an online survey will be
developed for completion by the students. Prizes will be awarded for completion. The
group will also conduct a progress tracking activity with the participants at the mid-way
point to keep motivation high, and encourage keeping physical activity in their daily
routines.
Durham Lives! will work with its community partners including the Durham District
School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board, to communicate this
program to the Grade 5 students. Each municipal partner will communicate the
program availability for each participant to be distributed by the school boards to the
students.
The Grade 5 Action Pass Program is not unique. It is based upon best practices of
Kingston and Lennox and Addington Counties, which have operated similar successful
programs for the past few years. This program has been so successful, with
approximately three quarters of the grade fives participating, that it has now been
extended to include students in Grade 10 and is "on the radar" of the Ministry of Health
Promotion.
Durham Lives! is supporting this pilot project to Durham Region Grade 5 children in
hopes that the success in Durham will mirror that of the Kingston area program. Future
funding is not guaranteed by Durham Lives! but there are hopes that the program will
be adapted in future years, either by the Ministry of Health Promotion or included in
annual program plans and operating budgets by the participating partners once
evaluated, and the value of the program to the children and youth as well as to the
community observed.
Attachments:
Not applicable
CORP0227 -07/01 revised
Report OES 35-08
October 14, 2008
Subject: Durham Region Grade 5 Action Pass Program
Page 5
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Prepared By:
Approved/Endorsed By:
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Stephen'-Re1nolds
Division Head, Culture & Recreation
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Stiaron Milton -
Supervisor, Facility Programs
Approved/Endorsed By:
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Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City cil
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CORP0227-07/01 revised