Have Your Say on the Future of Recreation in Our Region

What should recreation look like in our region for years to come? Whether it’s swimming, skating, fitness programs, or simply having a place to gather and connect, four local municipalities want to hear what matters most to residents.

The Town of Perth, Township of Drummond/North Elmsley, Township of Lanark Highlands, and Tay Valley Township are working together on a Regional Recreation Feasibility Study to explore the possibility of a new regional recreation centre that could serve residents across the region.

As part of this work, a public survey is now open, inviting residents to share their experiences with existing recreation facilities, identify gaps in services, and highlight the activities and amenities they’d like to see in the future.

“Recreation is such an important role in bringing people together and supporting healthy, active communities,” says Cathy McNally, Director of Community Services for the Town of Perth. “By working together and hearing directly from the people who use these spaces, our municipal partners can make informed decisions about what recreation could look like for future generations.”

The feasibility study will examine current and future recreation needs, potential facility features, costs, and long-term financial sustainability. The findings will provide the information needed to support a grant application for funding for a potential new regional recreation centre. These findings will be included as part of the municipalities’ grant submission for the Community Sport & Recreation Infrastructure Fund. This funding allocation, if successful, will cover up to $10 million in costs

Have Your Say

Residents of all four municipalities and the surrounding region are encouraged to complete the public survey by Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026 at Engage.Perth.ca/RecCentre.

Recreation user groups and community organizations also have an opportunity to contribute. Dedicated User Group Meetings will take place next month, providing an opportunity to discuss current challenges, service gaps, and future recreation needs. Anyone who leads a recreation user group or community organization and would like to participate is encouraged to contact Cathy McNally at cmcnally@perth.ca to be added to the invitation list.

Community engagement will continue as the study progresses, with a Public Information Centre planned for January 2027 to share potential facility options and gather additional feedback.

“Our communities have a wide range of recreation needs, and we don’t want to make assumptions about what those look like,” adds McNally. “Whether you’re a regular user of our recreation facilities or someone who hasn’t found a program or activity that meets your needs, we want to hear from you. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most as we explore what’s possible for our region.”

For more information about the Regional Recreation Facility Feasibility Study and opportunities to get involved, visit Engage.Perth.ca/RecCentre.