Council has given an initial green light to plans for the future of parks and recreation and Guelph. At its Oct. 3 committee of the whole meeting, council unanimously approved a new parks and recreation master plan, replacing one in place since 2009 and setting the direction over the next decade for how the city plans for, designs, funds and builds parks and recreation in Guelph. The master plan will still need to be ratified by council, with a vote set for later this month. City staff say the years ahead will see some changes to Guelph, so the city needs to be ready for it; a report accompanying the new master plan points to population growth “driven by migration” and an aging population, with seniors set to grow from six per cent of the current population to 16 per cent by 2051 — “the city’s parks and recreation amenities must adapt to accommodate an aging population,” the report notes. “As local demographics change, so do recreational interests and needs. Cricket and pickleball are quickly establishing themselves as popular activities in need of attention in recreational planning,” the master plan reads. “Sporting success also changes the way people choose to recreate. Skateboarding is adopted as an Olympic sport and pressures on Silvercreek skate park have never been greater. The Raptors win the NBA championship and courts overflow.” As with anything, the plan and its 97 recommendations do not come for free, with an expected capital investment of $17.25 million over its lifetime. The majority of that, $11.15 million, is earmarked for enhancing existing services, with the remainder slated for infrastructure renewal ($4.8 million) and to meet the demands of a growing city ($1.3 million). Among the 97 recommendations are the construction of 11 new tennis and pickleball courts, one new large skateboard park and four smaller ones throughout Guelph, the conversion of wading pools at Exhibition and Sunny Acres parks to splash pads and looking at potentially moving the Guelph Lawn Bowling Club from its current home, which is nearing the end of its service life. Which projects go first and at what speed they are constructed would still need to be determined during budget deliberations. The parks and recreation master plan will be back at city hall for council’s Oct. 24 meeting for a ratification vote.