MARKHAM, ON – January 7, 2020 – The Markham City Council has just approved the refreshed 2019 Integrated Leisure Master Plan (ILMP), which expands on the great successes of the original ILMP from 2010. This update outlines key priorities and paves the way for service delivery through 2031, aiming to adapt to the changing needs of our diverse and growing community while keeping up with leisure trends.
“Markham Council is proud of the previous ILMP, which was greenlit in 2010. It played a huge role in broadening the network of our community centres, libraries, parks, and arts and cultural venues across the city. These services help make Markham an attractive place to live, which is vital for our economic success,” stated Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We’re committed to taking bold steps and embracing change for Markham’s benefit.” “Our efforts aren’t finished yet. We’re focusing our 2019 plan on strengthening connections within our varied and ageing population while fostering partnerships and developing innovative social infrastructure and service delivery models that will serve all residents, including those in high-rise communities.” “Together, we are building Markham. We are building our home,” Mayor Scarpitti remarked. “Leisure plays an essential role in ensuring a good quality of life, and Markham’s facilities – like parks and trails, sports fields, community centres, pools, arenas, fitness centres, arts venues, and libraries – offer choices that encourage active lifestyles and foster community spirit.” Since 2010, Markham has seen its population grow along with an ageing demographic as more people move into high-rise condos while still being a family-friendly destination. Planning for residents at every age means providing amenities and programs that cater to everyone’s expectations – from active pursuits like tennis or pickleball to relaxing activities such as reading or learning new skills like 3D printing at local libraries. Walking has become one of the most popular leisure activities among families (many with dogs) – so dog parks, inviting public spaces, and connected walking trails are essential features for our residents. To support this expanding variety of leisure options, the updated ILMP suggests investments in both social and physical infrastructure along with creative strategies such as: Emphasizing partnerships along with service integration within flexible shared spaces; creating a new Neighbourhood Centre model for growth areas; Taking innovative approaches to develop community service facilities and public open spaces in denser regions; Establishing multi-generational programming at our community centres and libraries; Engaging in neighbourhood-level planning alongside community leaders based on each area’s unique needs; In northern West Markham advancing plans for a major community centre along with library improvements while refreshing Milliken Mills Community Centre; Implementing the Public Art Master Plan alongside initiating feasibility studies for a new theatre. “We know that more growth is on its way. By 2031, we expect Markham’s population to rise by another 113,200 people reaching a total of around 460,200,” said Brenda Librecz from Community & Fire Services. “The 2019 ILMP guides City staff in delivering integrated parks recreation culture library services that cater to all ages while exploring innovative funding opportunities.” The latest ILMP supports all goals outlined in Building Markham’s Future Together: 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan-especially those aimed at creating an engaged diverse thriving vibrant city as well as establishing safe sustainable complete communities. Highlights from the 2019 ILMP: Parks: Leveraging access provided by Rouge National Urban Park; Developing comprehensive plans for adding shade structures in parks; Building more cricket pitches plus off-leash dog areas. Recreation: Addition of intergenerational programming while planning services tailored towards under-represented groups; More neighbourhood-focused or site-specific planning efforts; Planning a new community centre up north in West Markham; Updating Milliken Mills Community Centre Library including gymnasium space. Culture: Enhancing cultural program integration across parks recreation culture library settings; Conducting feasibility studies related to potential theatres; Implementing Public Art Master Plan. Library: Expanding digital literacy initiatives; Developing library services specifically for Markham Centre plus northern West Markham area.; Delivering alternative library service models alongside funding solutions geared towards intensified zones. A recap of achievements from the original ILMP (2010):
Lama Nicolas Senior Communications Advisor can be reached at lnicolas@markham. ca or call her at 416.671.2890. If you need further information / wish interview requests regarding City matters:
Jennifer Yap Coordinator Communications Media Relations available via jyap@markham. ca or reach out directly at phone number:437.2292450. A bit about Markham: An award-winning municipality boasting over three hundred fifty-five thousand residents making it York Region’s largest among nine communities it’s home too! Also housing four hundred corporate head offices hosting many top-tier tech life science companies! Furthermore securing foreign investment leading Canada attracting two hundred ten international firms calling this place home! Founded during late eighteen hundreds present day represents Canada’s most diverse society showcasing rich heritage excellent urban planning robust services lively economy receiving accolades excellence awards through organizational quality healthy workplace multiple recognitions relating both history environment preservation!
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“Markham Council is proud of the previous ILMP, which was greenlit in 2010. It played a huge role in broadening the network of our community centres, libraries, parks, and arts and cultural venues across the city. These services help make Markham an attractive place to live, which is vital for our economic success,” stated Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We’re committed to taking bold steps and embracing change for Markham’s benefit.” “Our efforts aren’t finished yet. We’re focusing our 2019 plan on strengthening connections within our varied and ageing population while fostering partnerships and developing innovative social infrastructure and service delivery models that will serve all residents, including those in high-rise communities.” “Together, we are building Markham. We are building our home,” Mayor Scarpitti remarked. “Leisure plays an essential role in ensuring a good quality of life, and Markham’s facilities – like parks and trails, sports fields, community centres, pools, arenas, fitness centres, arts venues, and libraries – offer choices that encourage active lifestyles and foster community spirit.” Since 2010, Markham has seen its population grow along with an ageing demographic as more people move into high-rise condos while still being a family-friendly destination. Planning for residents at every age means providing amenities and programs that cater to everyone’s expectations – from active pursuits like tennis or pickleball to relaxing activities such as reading or learning new skills like 3D printing at local libraries. Walking has become one of the most popular leisure activities among families (many with dogs) – so dog parks, inviting public spaces, and connected walking trails are essential features for our residents. To support this expanding variety of leisure options, the updated ILMP suggests investments in both social and physical infrastructure along with creative strategies such as: Emphasizing partnerships along with service integration within flexible shared spaces; creating a new Neighbourhood Centre model for growth areas; Taking innovative approaches to develop community service facilities and public open spaces in denser regions; Establishing multi-generational programming at our community centres and libraries; Engaging in neighbourhood-level planning alongside community leaders based on each area’s unique needs; In northern West Markham advancing plans for a major community centre along with library improvements while refreshing Milliken Mills Community Centre; Implementing the Public Art Master Plan alongside initiating feasibility studies for a new theatre. “We know that more growth is on its way. By 2031, we expect Markham’s population to rise by another 113,200 people reaching a total of around 460,200,” said Brenda Librecz from Community & Fire Services. “The 2019 ILMP guides City staff in delivering integrated parks recreation culture library services that cater to all ages while exploring innovative funding opportunities.” The latest ILMP supports all goals outlined in Building Markham’s Future Together: 2020 – 2023 Strategic Plan-especially those aimed at creating an engaged diverse thriving vibrant city as well as establishing safe sustainable complete communities. Highlights from the 2019 ILMP: Parks: Leveraging access provided by Rouge National Urban Park; Developing comprehensive plans for adding shade structures in parks; Building more cricket pitches plus off-leash dog areas. Recreation: Addition of intergenerational programming while planning services tailored towards under-represented groups; More neighbourhood-focused or site-specific planning efforts; Planning a new community centre up north in West Markham; Updating Milliken Mills Community Centre Library including gymnasium space. Culture: Enhancing cultural program integration across parks recreation culture library settings; Conducting feasibility studies related to potential theatres; Implementing Public Art Master Plan. Library: Expanding digital literacy initiatives; Developing library services specifically for Markham Centre plus northern West Markham area.; Delivering alternative library service models alongside funding solutions geared towards intensified zones. A recap of achievements from the original ILMP (2010):
- The initial plan featured over two hundred recommendations.
- An impressive seventy-seven percent have been met so far.
- This includes constructing two significant community centres plus one sports facility within six years: Aaniin Community Centre & Library Cornell Community Centre & Library plus Markham Pan Am Centre-a renowned sports complex.
- This also covers creating over ninety new parks along with seventeen sports fields.
- A Park Renaissance Program reinvested funds back into older city parks.
- Sophisticated strategies were developed addressing pressing communal requirements such as:
Lama Nicolas Senior Communications Advisor can be reached at lnicolas@markham. ca or call her at 416.671.2890. If you need further information / wish interview requests regarding City matters:
Jennifer Yap Coordinator Communications Media Relations available via jyap@markham. ca or reach out directly at phone number:437.2292450. A bit about Markham: An award-winning municipality boasting over three hundred fifty-five thousand residents making it York Region’s largest among nine communities it’s home too! Also housing four hundred corporate head offices hosting many top-tier tech life science companies! Furthermore securing foreign investment leading Canada attracting two hundred ten international firms calling this place home! Founded during late eighteen hundreds present day represents Canada’s most diverse society showcasing rich heritage excellent urban planning robust services lively economy receiving accolades excellence awards through organizational quality healthy workplace multiple recognitions relating both history environment preservation!
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