News Releases

NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners Announce Members

YELLOWKNIFE (June 15, 2005) - The names of individuals selected to form the Northwest Territories (NWT) Council of Sport and Recreation Partners were announced by Michael McLeod, Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs. The 13 member Council will gather for their inaugural meeting June 27 and 28 in Yellowknife.

The establishment of the NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners is an important step in the development of a collaborative, inclusive approach to sport and recreation in the Northwest Territories. The new Council will play an integral role in streamlining decision-making, improving program coordination and identifying new ways to access resources.

"The NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners will provide the coordination necessary to develop a stronger and more efficient sport and recreation system - one that will consider the needs of all communities, regions and partners," said Minister McLeod.

The Council consists of 13 members, including seven regional representatives and six members at large from the sport and recreation fields. All representatives have experience in sport, recreation and/or active living. The Council members are:

  • Mr. Taig Connell, Fort McPherson
  • Ms. Gloria Gaudet, Deline
  • Mr. Gary Hoffman, Hay River
  • Mr. Ron Cook, Hay River
  • Mr. Roger Vail, Fort Smith
  • Ms. Janie Hobart, Fort Smith
  • Mr. Michael Botermans, Rae Edzo
  • Ms. Elaine Keenan Bengts, Yellowknife
  • Mr. Abe Theil, Yellowknife
  • Ms. Janna Bulmer, Tuktoyaktuk
  • Ms. Denise Ritias-Voudrach, Inuvik
  • Ms. Denise Kurzewski, Inuvik
  • Mr. Julian Tomlinson, Inuvik

"I am confident that the individuals selected to sit on the NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners will provide excellent representation on behalf their regions and communities," said Minister McLeod. "All regions have well qualified and experienced people at the table, providing a balanced and knowledgeable view of the sport and recreation system in the Northwest Territories."

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Ian Legaree
Director, Sport, Recreation and Youth Division
Municipal and Community Affairs
(867) 873-7245

Backgrounder

The development of an NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners Council is intended to achieve four primary goals:

Create a forum for all communities and sport and recreation leaders to have a voice in sport and recreation planning and decision-making.

Streamline decision-making, and improve coordination in program delivery.

Provide opportunities for all Northwest Territories (NWT) residents to access sport, recreation and physical activity programs by improving integration and more effective use of resources.

Establish a mechanism to allocate available resources equitably to address program and community needs.

The Council will provide the Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) an official point of contact to discuss sport, recreation and physical activity policy and programming issues.

Why a Council?

In April 2003, the Minister of MACA approved the "Northwest Territories Recreation and Sport Board: Final Recommendations Report", which was submitted by all partners as a joint recommendation on the creation of an NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners. An Interim Coordinating Team was established with representation from all partners and were tasked with moving the proposal forward.

On October 1, 2004, the partners submitted a "Response to the Draft Proposal for the establishment of the Northwest Territories Council of Sport and Recreation Partners". Input was also received from the Beaufort Delta Sahtu Recreation Association and the NWT Curling Association.

Based on this consultation process and recommendations made by stakeholders, the Minister of MACA announced the intent to proceed with implementation of the NWT Council of Sport and Recreation Partners effective April 2005.

What's Next?

1. After the establishment of the Council, it will begin work with partners and regions through its committee structure on its primary
areas of responsibility. Initially these will include development of the following:

  • a. resource management plan including:

    - support to the Lottery Authority to maximize revenue flow;
    - streamlining administrative expenses; and
    - volunteer and staff support initiatives.
  • b. communications and marketing plan;
  • c. plan to consolidate partner offices; and
  • d. plan to establish system wide priorities and operating principles.

2. The Council will provide quarterly progress updates to partners and the Minister on progress. Periodic updates will also be developed for Northwest Territories communities and other interested parties.

3. In October 2005, partners are anticipated to submit draft 2006-2007 business plans and budgets to the Council for review.

4. The Council is intended to finalize its reviews and makes final recommendations on budget approvals for 2006-2007 in November/December 2005 and forward to the Minister of MACA.

5. A final Ministerial decision on budget requests is anticipated in June 2006.

6. The partners will begin the first full year of operation in April 2006. During this time, the Council will continue with implementation of its primary duties.

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