Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment (MURFA)

At its October 6th meeting, Council resolved:

THAT Staff Report PRC2025-05, Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Next Steps, be received; 
AND THAT Council direct staff to continue exploring the possibility of establishing a multi-use recreational facility with or without municipal and/or private partners by conducting a location assessment and site evaluation; 
AND THAT the locations considered be within or on the boundaries of the Town of Collingwood; 
AND THAT Council authorize staff to pursue these private and public expressions of interest through a public call to potential private land owners and via letters on behalf of Council to Collingwood’s neighbouring municipalities, and County and school board representatives; 
AND THAT Council authorize the spending of up to $10,000 from the MURF Reserve to access realtor and other professional services as deemed necessary; 
AND THAT the site evaluations be based on a matrix that includes the following criteria: size, location, land use designation, zoning, environmental considerations, development and acquisition considerations, servicing, accessibility, visibility, compatibility with neighbouring properties, impact on existing facilities, proposals that include a Public Private Partnership(s) (P3) Opportunity, and other criteria as appropriate; 
AND THAT the results of the evaluation be reviewed by Staff and the MURF Steering Committee and report back to Council by the end of November 2025; 
AND THAT the Collingwood MURF Steering Committee reconvene when the results of this work are finalized to review and provide their feedback to Council on further steps.
Staff Report PRC2025-05 Multi-Use Recreation Facility Assessment Next Steps 

The MURFA final report was presented for information to Town of Collingwood and Town of the Blue Mountains Councils at a Special Joint Council meeting on July 16th, 2025. The Collingwood MURF Steering Committee will begin their formal review of the report at a meeting on July 31st. Once they have completed their assessment, their recommendations will inform a follow up Staff Report to Council recommending next steps. 

View the agenda for the Joint Special Council meeting: https://www.collingwood.ca/agendas 

View the Joint Council Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymSLKNLd0xY 

View the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Final Report and all the Appendices in the document section of this project page. 

A joint Special Council meeting with the Town of Collingwood and Town of The Blue Mountains has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025. At this time, Colliers Project Leaders will present the results of the joint multi-use recreation feasibility assessment for information only. Following this, the Town of Collingwood will bring together the Collingwood MURF Steering Committee which has been created to provide diverse, Collingwood-centric perspectives and advisory recommendations on the outcomes of the consultants' Report. The first meeting of this committee is scheduled for July 31st. 

Individual staff reports from Town of Collingwood and Town of the Blue Mountains will then be presented to the respective Councils later this year addressing next steps. 

The agenda for the July 16th Joint Special Council meeting is now available under 'Upcoming Meetings' at: https://www.collingwood.ca/agendas  

View the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Final Report and all the Appendices in the document section of this project page. 

25 Oct 2024

Colliers Project Leaders will be presenting a high-level overview of the Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment survey results at a Joint Special Meeting of Council between the Town of The Blue Mountains and the Town of Collingwood on Wednesday October 30, 2024, beginning at 5:00 p.m. The presentation will provide a summary of the public engagement completed to date and will give both Councils the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. Staff are not asking either Council to provide further direction or make decisions on the project at this time. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town of The Blue Mountain's website and on the Town of Collingwood's YouTube channel. Members of the public can also gather in either Town's Council Chambers to watch the meeting.

Colliers continues to work on gathering data and analytics required to put together the final project report. This report is anticipated to be completed and presented before the end of 2024.

View Meeting Agenda

View Joint MURFA Update Presentation by Colliers to Council on Wednesday, October 30th, 2024

09 Aug 2024

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Thank you to everyone who completed a survey and shared their thoughts about their usage and priorities for existing recreational and library facilities. The survey closed September 30, 2024.

09 Aug 2024

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The Following Public Engagement Opportunities were Offered in Collingwood

1. Sidelaunch Days Waterfront Festival: Saturday, August 10, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Collingwood Farmer's Market: Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
3. Collingwood Public Library: Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
4. Collingwood Art Crawl (Downtown Collingwood Booth): Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The Town of Collingwood Community Based Strategic Plan (CBSP), adopted in 2015 and refreshed in 2020, outlines the community’s vision and goals over a 20-year span. The CBSP recognizes the Town’s current growth and continued growth position and identifies the Town’s vital role as a unique hub for recreation, health care, commercial services, employment, and arts and culture.

In addition to the CBSP, the Town of Collingwood Parks, Recreation & Culture Department (PRC) is guided by a PRC Master Plan which was adopted in 2019. The PRC Master Plan is intended to provide the Town of Collingwood with a ten-year strategy to be used as a guide in developing recreational and cultural programs and services that will support a healthy and vibrant community while meeting the Town’s long-term needs. Among its 121 recommendations is the following:

Review feasibility and sustainability of a multi-use recreation facility for the Town of Collingwood. This could be done in conjunction with local municipalities as a regional centre to optimize the needs of several communities.

The Collingwood Public Library’s 2022 Strategic Plan highlighted the need for versatile space and the Library Board provided direction to review expansion or relocation feasibility. Collingwood Council supported the Board’s direction with the approval of Library budget to complete this study. The model of integrating library services into a community centre has proven effective in several municipalities across the province. As such, it is being blended with the municipality’s approach, as a measure of efficiency and timing opportunity.

To learn more about the Town of The Blue Mountains and their involvement in this project, please visit their project page MURFA(External link)

Funding for individual feasibility studies was recommended through both Town of Collingwood’s 2019 PRC Master Plan and The Blue Mountains’ 2021 Leisure Activities Plan. The municipalities have both received Council consent and budget to work on a joint feasibility study to investigate a regional approach.

In the municipal context, a feasibility assessment confirms community needs for the present and future, prioritizing them within a structured framework. It evaluates business alternatives to optimize service delivery, employing a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis, community input, best practice research, and municipal document review. This comprehensive process equips the Councils with vital information to make a “go/no-go” decision on further progressing plans for major projects.

This feasibility assessment will engage a variety of methods to research, analyze, and determine the required amenities to be included in a multi-use recreation facility or facilities to support the recreational needs of the Town of Collingwood and the Town of The Blue Mountains today and into the future, and the degree to which the facility or facilities can be sustained.

This assessment is expected to take approximately eight months to complete.

There are six specific work streams that will be delivered through this process:

1. Understand the Market & Existing Conditions: Assess the existing amenities and facilities in both communities. An integral aspect of this evaluation involves analyzing demographic trends and growth projections to anticipate future needs effectively
2. Understand User Needs: Various methods of engagement and special outreach will be used to understand perspectives from the communities, stakeholders, community groups, library users, advisory committees, partners etc. to understand their perspectives and needs.
3. Facility Benchmarking: Determine the size, scale, and features of the facility/facilities required to meet local and regional needs, including design concepts.
4. Location Analysis: Identify potential sites for a future multi-use recreation facility or facilities, taking into account factors like transit access, parking availability, nearby trails, and neighborhood fit. Financial and developmental aspects will also be included in this evaluation.
5. Explore Financing Options: Assess initial costs for both capital and operating expenses, recognizing their estimated nature but crucial role in decision-making. Investigate government grants and alternative financing methods (fundraising, sponsorship, earned revenues) with reference to successful multi-use recreational facility projects.
6. Explore Governance Models: Multi-use and multi-partner ventures require governance practices ensuring equitable contributions and shared roles. This analysis will explore ownership and operational responsibilities, accounting for legislative boundaries and practical factors.

Collingwood Steering Committee Terms of Reference Staff Report to Council - Monday, January 13th, 2024

Council passed the Collingwood MURFA Steering Committee Terms of Reference.

Collingwood Multi-Use Recreation Facility Steering Committee Applications Opened- Thursday, January 23rd 2025

The purpose of establishing a Collingwood Multi-Use Recreation Facility Steering Committee is to ensure diverse, local perspectives are incorporated into Council’s decisionmaking regarding a MURF, by consulting with relevant stakeholders. The Steering Committee is established by the Town of Collingwood to provide Collingwood community perspectives, insights, and advisory recommendations on the outcomes of the Phase 1 Final Report as delivered by Colliers Project Leaders, to assist Council in making decisions regarding a future multi-use recreation facility (“MURF”).

Please visit https://www.collingwood.ca/council/council-committee-meetings/committees-boards to learn more and apply! 

Collingwood Multi-Use Recreation Facility Steering Committee Application Close- Friday, February 21st 2025

Applciations for the Steering Committee will close on Friday February 21st at 4:30 p.m. 

July 16, 2025 Multi Use Recreation Feasibility Final Report to be presented to Council

A joint Special Council meeting with the Town of Collingwood and Town of The Blue Mountains has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, 2025. At this time, Colliers Project Leaders will present the results of the joint multi-use recreation feasibility assessment for information only. Following this, the Town of Collingwood will bring together the Collingwood MURF Steering Committee which has been created to provide diverse, Collingwood-centric perspectives and advisory recommendations on the outcomes of the consultants' Report. The first meeting of this committee is scheduled for July 31st. 

Individual staff reports from Town of Collingwood and Town of the Blue Mountains will then be presented to the respective Councils later this year addressing next steps. 

The agenda for the July 16th Joint Special Council meeting is now available under 'Upcoming Meetings' at: https://www.collingwood.ca/agendas  

View the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Final Report and all the Appendices in the document section of this project page. 

July 16th, 2025 Multi Use Recreation Feasibility Final Report Next Steps 

The MURFA final report was presented for information to Town of Collingwood and Town of the Blue Mountains Councils at a Special Joint Council meeting on July 16th, 2025. The Collingwood MURF Steering Committee will begin their formal review of the report at a meeting on July 31st. Once they have completed their assessment, their recommendations will inform a follow up Staff Report to Council recommending next steps. 

View the agenda for the Joint Special Council meeting: https://www.collingwood.ca/agendas 

View the Joint Council Meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymSLKNLd0xY 

View the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Final Report and all the Appendices in the document section of this project page. 

Kick-Off Presentation to Council: June 24th, 2024

The Joint MURFA Kick-Off Presentation to Council is scheduled for Monday, June 24th. The presentation, provided by Colliers Project Leaders, will outline the project objectives, approach, proposed work plan, and next steps. They will also be taking preliminary questions from Council at the meeting, prior to the beginning of the formal public engagement process. 

Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment Kick-Off Presentation 06.24.2024

Public Engagement Opportunity: Sidelaunch Days- Saturday August 10th, 2024

The Town of Collingwood and Colliers will be onsite at Sidelaunch Days Waterfront Festival on Saturday August 10th,  2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Come learn, ask questions and chat about the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment and the online survey.

Public Engagement Opportunity: Collingwood Farmers' Market- Saturday August 24th, 2024

The Town of Collingwood and Colliers will be onsite at the Collingwood Farmer's Market on Saturday August 24th, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Come learn, ask questions and chat about the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment and the online survey.

Public Engagement Opportunity: Collingwood Public Library- Saturday September 21st , 2024

The Collingwood Public Library staff and Colliers will be onsite at the Collingwood Public Library on Saturday September 21st, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come learn, ask questions and chat about the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment and the online survey.

Public Engagement Opportunity: Collingwood Art Crawl- Saturday September 21st, 2024

The Town of Collingwood and Colliers will be onsite at the Collingwood Art Crawl (Downtown Collingwood booth) on Saturday September 21st, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Come learn, ask questions and chat about the Joint Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment and the online survey.

Joint Special Council Meeting: Presentation by Colliers Project Leaders- Wednesday October 30th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Colliers Project Leaders will be presenting a high-level overview of the Multi-Use Recreation Feasibility Assessment(External link) survey results at a Joint Special Meeting of Council between the Town of The Blue Mountains and the Town of Collingwood on Wednesday October 30, 2024 beginning at 5:00 p.m. The presentation will provide a summary of the public engagement completed to date, and will give both Councils the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. Staff are not asking either Council to provide further direction or make decisions on the project at this time. The meeting will be livestreamed on the Town of The Blue Mountain's website(External link) and on the Town of Collingwood's YouTube channel(External link). Members of the public can also gather in either Town's Council Chambers to watch the meeting.

Colliers continues to work on gathering data and analytics required to put together the final project report. This report is anticipated to be completed and presented before the end of 2024.

View Meeting Agenda

Collingwood Steering Committee Draft Terms of Reference Staff Report to Committee of the Whole - Monday, December 16, 2024

The Staff Report PRC2024-07 will be presented to Council at Committee of the Whole on Monday, December 16, 2024.

View the meeting agenda and access the live stream link. (External link)

View Staff Report PRC2024-07.

Public Engagement Booths

1. Sidelaunch Days Waterfront Festival- Saturday August 10, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Collingwood Farmers' Market- Saturday August 24, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
3. Collingwood Public Library- Saturday September 21, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
4. Collingwood Art Crawl (Downtown Booth)- Saturday September 21, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    

Public Survey

Launch of Online Survey: August 09 → September 30 2024

Thank you to everyone who completed a survey and shared their thoughts about their usage and priorities for existing recreational and library facilities. The survey closed September 30, 2024.

Community Group & Organization Focus Groups

Community groups, clubs, and organizations were encouraged to attend one of six virtual focus groups in September 2024. Hosted by Colliers, these sessions included an overview of the feasibility assessment process and discussions supporting open dialogue about group needs.

1. Community Organizations & Service Clubs: Monday, September 9, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
2. Outdoor Sports & Recreation User Groups: Wednesday, September 11, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
3. Ice User Groups: Monday, September 16, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
4. Indoor Sports & Recreation (non-ice) User Groups: Wednesday, September 18, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
5. Library User Groups & Health and Social Service Organizations: Monday, September 23, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
6. General Focus Session/Alternative Date open to all organizations unable to attend a previous session: Wednesday, September 25, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Learn more here: https://www.thebluemountains.ca/murfa

There are no pre-conceived notions of the study results. The research being conducted within the study will inform what is feasible.

Upcoming Public Engagement Opportunities in Collingwood:

1. Sidelaunch Days Waterfront Festival- Saturday August 10th, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2. Collingwood Farmers' Market- Saturday August 24th, 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m
3. Collingwood Public Library- Saturday September 21st , 2024 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
4. Collingwood Art Crawl (Downtown Collingwood Booth)- Saturday September 21st, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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Colliers Project Leaders is Canada’s largest real estate advisory and project management company. It was founded in 1989 with a single powerful objective – to be a dedicated project leader working on behalf of our clients to achieve their success. Through our 700 professionals spread coast to coast, we provide project management and advisory services to clients across Canada, aiming to maximize the performance of real estate assets, portfolios and building operations of facility owners and investors. We have delivered more than 15,000 projects, becoming one of Canada’s most trusted advisory firms. Our expertise encompasses enterprise performance management, lifecycle management and master planning, project management, process design, project compliance audits, procurement strategy, transaction management, contract / commercial management, change management and training, business case development, funding analysis, financial modeling, and market research and gap analysis.

Learn about Colliers Project Leaders by visiting their website https://www.colliersprojectleaders.com/