N EWS RUSSELL WANTS RESIDENT INPUT ON RECREATION COMPLEX POOL PROGRAMMING
THE NEWS
"We want to make sure that it's being used and that it's being appreciated by the commu- nity, and it's offering whatever the community wants." Asked what happens once the survey closes, Tarnowski said the results, gathered by the Township's Parks and Recreation Depart- ment, will directly inform the next phase of the project. The Township has already begun hiring for the position responsible for overseeing the entire Recreation Complex, and is now hiring for departments within it, including the pool. Survey feedback will help shape the program- ming developed for that role and ensure the new facility's space is used effectively. Three more surveys open to residents The aquatics survey is one of four currently open to Russell Township residents as part of the Township's "Have Your Say" engagement effort. Township Facility Rentals Survey, open until Wednesday, July 29, asks residents who have booked, or tried to book, a Township facility, including community halls, meeting rooms, sports fields, or ice time, to share
their experience, with the goal of identifying what's working well and where rental services could improve. Transit Feasibility Study Survey, open until Sunday, August 9, is gathering input on how residents currently travel within the Township and what future public transit needs might look like. The Township is working with Toronto-based transit consulting firm Left Turn Right Turn (LTRT) on the study; all survey responses are anonymous. More information is available at www.russell.ca/transit. 2027 Budget Survey, open until Friday, September 4, asks residents what matters most to them among roads, parks, recreational facilities, community programs, emergency services, and infrastructure improvements, as the Township begins work on next year's budget. More details are available at www. russell.ca/budget. The Township says public participation helps ensure its decisions reflect the needs and priorities of the community, and is encou- raging residents to take part in any of the surveys that interest them.
Russell Town Hall. (Russell Township)
Mayor Mike Tarnowski said the shift to year-round pool access marks a significant change for the Township, which has so far only operated a seasonal pool during the summer months "We want to make sure that we respond to community need, to community want, in terms of having some great programming, whether it's learning to swim, whether it's fitness related, whether it's team kind of competition related," Tarnowski said, adding that the goal is to move away from "canned programming" offered by other pools and instead build something tailored to Russell Township residents. He said surveys like this one are becoming a bigger part of how the Township plans its services. "This recreation complex is our biggest investment ever in our community," he said.
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
Russell Township is asking residents to help shape programming at its new Recreation Complex pool, one of four surveys currently open as the munici- pality gathers input on facility rentals, public transit, and next year's budget. With the Recreation Complex set to open a six-lane, 25-metre pool and a leisure pool, the Township is asking residents what they'd like to see offered, from swimming lessons and fitness classes to lane swims, family swims, and aquatic programs for older adults. The survey, open until Friday, July 24, is intended to guide the development of programs and schedules that serve residents of all ages and abilities.
RUSSELL TOWNSHIP MARKS NATIONAL DROWNING PREVENTION WEEK
VACANCES ESTIVALES SUMMER HOLIDAYS PLEASE TAKE NOTE THAT OUR OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE WEEKS OF JULY 26 AND AUGUST 2 PRENEZ NOTE QUE NOS BUREAUX SERONT FERMÉS LES SEMAINES DU 26 JUILLET ET 2 AOÛT DE RETOUR À NOS BUREAUX LE LUNDI 10 AOÛT.
Russell Township is encouraging everyone to make water safety a priority during National Drowning Prevention Week. (Livesaving Society Ontario)
GABRIELLE VINETTE gabrielle.vinette@eap.on.ca
a splash pad, a few simple precautions can make a significant difference such as to stay within arm's reach of young children around water, wear a lifejacket when boating or participating in water activities, avoid alcohol and drugs in, on, and around the water, learn to swim and continue developing water safety skills, and never swim or boat alone. Russell Township says it is proud to sup- port initiatives that promote water safety, and is encouraging residents of all ages to take advantage of swimming lessons, aqua- tic programs, and water safety education opportunities available in the community. By working together and making water safety a priority, the Township says residents can help prevent tragedies and ensure eve- ryone enjoys a safe and memorable summer. For more information, residents can visit the Lifesaving Society's National Drowning Prevention Week page.
www.editionap.ca
As residents head to pools, splash pads, lakes, rivers, and other waterways this summer, Russell Township is encoura- ging everyone to make water safety a priority during National Drowning Prevention Week, running July 19 to 25, 2026, and throughout the year. Drowning is preventable, yet more than 400 Canadians lose their lives each year in water-related incidents. National Drow- ning Prevention Week gives communities across the country an opportunity to raise awareness and promote safe behaviours that help save lives. A shared responsibility The Township notes that whether resi- dents are visiting a local pool, spending a day on the water, or supervising children at
WE WILL RETURN TO THE OFFICE, MONDAY AUGUST 10.
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