Partnerships in Recreation Developing In Manitouwadge

Written by admin on 22 December 2011

Director of Community Services Daniel Deschamps and Community Programmer Shawna Patterson address Ms. McCauley's Grade 3 Class at Our Lady of Lourdes School. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

Deschamps discusses with the kids how services and facilities are provided, prompting them to come up with many of the answers.

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Manitouwadge’s new Director of Community Services (Recreation Director) Dan Deschamps and Community Services Programmer Shawna Patterson attended Ms. McCauley’s Grade 3 Class at Our Lady of Lourdes yesterday. The pair had been directed to look into the possibility of an outdoor skating rink being constructed after Council received a letter from Grade 3 student Eric Glaister on behalf of his class and decided they would begin their feasibility study where the request originated, with the Grade 3 Class.

Deschamps and Patterson were well received by the class who were clearly excited to have their letter so formally responded to. Ms. McCauley explained that the class had been learning about letter writing and she had seen her students’ dream of an outdoor rink as a great opportunity to put the lesson into practice.

Manitouwadge has had outdoor skating in the past, just last year during the community’s Hockeyville efforts a giant space was cleared on the lake near Lion’s Beach though a more permanent rink seems to be what this initiative is all about “Imagine if in 50 years” said Deschamps when brainstorming with the class about how to prove their cause was a worthy and realistic one “You could bring your kids to the rink and say ‘We were a part of making this happen’”. The Grade 3 students were clearly inspired by the hour long meeting they had with the pair from Community Services who discussed with them the various departments within their township as well as some of the steps that the managers of these departments must follow when hoping to create a new service or product for residents. The students were very engaged in the discussion, with hands flying up every time either Patterson or Deschamps asked for input.

Deschamps helped the kids come to a conclusion regarding ‘where to go next’ encouraging them to make a plan, as a group, regarding how they would seek out proof of the rink being something which would serve others beyond the Grade 3 class. Among the ideas the children had were to acquire signatures from other kids in their school, and other local schools, who would use the rink, Deschamps suggested they also reach out to the community at large, businesses and service groups like the Golden Age Club to ask for their support of the project as well. The letters’ signator, Eric Glaister also spoke to his reasons for wanting a rink, that as a hockey player he was very aware of the fact that he had only a few short years remaining before he would no longer have a team to play with as the Manitouwadge Minor Hockey Association has not had a Midget team in several years. Deschamps, who has recently transferred his goalie-coaching certification to work with the MMHA certainly sympathized with Glaister’s frustrations.

Deschamps' energy and enthusiasm kept the students engaged and interested throughout the meeting - no small feat with Grade 3 students just days before Christmas!

Director of Community Services Daniel Deschamps helps OLOL's Grade 3 students put together their action plan for garnering support of their outdoor skating rink idea.

At one student’s request, Deschamps shared his business card and it was decided they would next contact him when they had acquired proof that a large percentage of Manitouwadge residents would use an outdoor skating rink and that they would be in support of its construction; for their part Deschamps and Patterson promised the students that they would look into the locations the class had suggested in their letter to council as well as several others. Deschamps was very pleased with the progress made thus far “We love the idea, it makes sense [but] with my manager’s hat on now there’s a lot of work that needs to happen to get an outdoor rink. I told the kids part of their action item right now is to make sure the rink would be used they have a to-do list to go out and get support ” said Deschamps continuing that “They have some work to do and we have some work to do. By coming here I think it shows them that there’s a partnership building”. Partnerships seem to be Deschamps’ theme for the new face of recreation in Manitouwadge. Today (Thursday) he is at the curling club with High School students for yet another new initiative, good news for those who live in Manitouwadge as well as for the community’s efforts to attract new people and families.

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: Director of Community Services Daniel Deschamps and Community Programmer Shawna Patterson address Ms. McCauley’s Grade 3 Class at Our Lady of Lourdes School. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

: Deschamps discusses with the kids how services and facilities are provided, prompting them to come up with many of the answers.

: Director of Community Services Daniel Deschamps helps OLOL’s Grade 3 students put together their action plan for garnering support of their outdoor skating rink idea.

: Deschamps energy and enthusiasm kept the students engaged and interested throughout the meeting – no small feet with Grade 3 students just days before Christmas!