‘Inspiring Innisfil’ draft report released

Port, resort, and economic development officer among list of recommendations
By Chris Simon Innisfil Scope January 19 2011
Simply put, Innisfil is not yet ready to handle its future growth demands.
That’s according to the findings contained within the draft Inspiring Innisfil 2020 report, which was officially released to the public earlier this week. The document, which was also presented to council on Wednesday evening, contains a broad list of recommendations, meant to be a pathway towards developing economic sustainability and cultural identity within the municipality.
“Innisfil is going to change in the next 20 years, through population expansion, changing immigration patterns, continued urban encroachment, and growing demands on land use,” said McSweeney and Associates consultant Eric McSweeney, whose firm has been overseeing the project. “The town is not ready for these significant shifts. Innisfil really doesn’t have a cohesive identity. That has worked to the detriment of Innisfil over the last several years. We should see that manifest itself in some sort of visual or graphic identity.”
Among the proposed recommendations, the town has been asked to hire an economic development officer, establish an arts council and tourism network, create a port along the Lake Simcoe shoreline, and aid the transition to a ‘green’ economy. The town also needs to work more co-operatively with the province, Barrie, other local municipalities, and the owners of the Big Bay Point Resort. A major new attraction, such as a resort-style hotel and recreational complex, should also be discussed with Great Canadian Gaming, the operator of Georgian Downs.
And the municipality should be actively soliciting interest from hotel chains, said McSweeney.
Innisfil must also develop a town-wide, cohesive ‘brand’, and focus on creating local employment opportunities. About 82 per cent of the town’s eligible workforce commutes to jobs outside of the municipality. However, the town should be steering away from attracting manufacturing and industrial jobs in Innisfil Heights, and push for more office and home-based businesses. Alcona’s downtown core could also be developed to include ‘flexible’ multi-story buildings, which house retail-style businesses on ground level, and smaller offices on higher floors.
“There needs to be a plan that speaks to the financial sustainability of Innisfil. The demands for infrastructure certainly exceed the ability of a small municipality,” said McSweeney. “There are recommendations about trying to repatriate the people who are leaving the community everyday, to work somewhere else. If there were options to work here, most people would avoid the commute. We’d like to see (town plans) allow for home-based businesses and for the development of professional and office spaces. Manufacturing really isn’t in growth mode; many (businesses) have actually closed. We’re not suggesting manufacturing be the focus at this time. We see there being a much better chance of attracting small offices and professional services. In addition to Innisfil Heights, we would see a concentration of employment along Innisfil Beach Road in the commercial core. In the long-term, we hope it becomes more of a traditional downtown, where you’ll have mixed use retail at grade, and offices above grade.”
Some residents seem pleased with the draft plan results. The report also mentions the need to invest in road, water, sewer broadband Internet and telecommunications infrastructure, which are all desperately needed in the town, said resident Gaye Trombley, who is also a member of the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee.
“There is a need and priority to build infrastructure, particularly in Innisfil Heights,” she said. “Innisfil has to attract a tax base of operations, so people aren’t travelling outside. That aspect of the strategy is really critical. A lot of what is in the report is underway. What this does is put focus to it. It will inspire some controversy; there are several areas that will inspire a lot of discussion. (They’ve) put together an excellent document for council to consider.”
Over 800 residents and business representatives participated in online and mail-in surveys, interviews and focus group sessions. It paints a relatively accurate picture of the core values and vision held by town residents, said McSweeney.
“You’ll start to see some of the (recommendations) implemented this year,” he said. “I hope council will embrace this strategy as being a major part of what they could achieve in a four-year term. Do we have the right strategies and direction? We want to hear back from the community. Our next step is to provide the implementation framework. This is longer term, so there will have to be some priority setting. It’s co-ownership between the community and council; they must co-operate.”
According to the report, the town should also consider hosting more community festivals and special events, work to protect heritage assets, and examine the feasibility of creating a public transportation network.
Other municipalities are also taking note of the plan, said councillor Lynn Dollin.
“(They’ve) put together an incredible opportunity for the people in the town,” she said. “The buzz is continuing. I was in Orillia for a regional tourism workshop, and talking about this document. It’s getting word all over the County (of Simcoe).”
Consultants are seeking feedback on the draft report until Feb. 4, with a final document expected to be presented to council in March. Open houses have been planned for Monday (7 to 9 p.m.) and Tuesday (2 to 4 p.m.) at the New Town Hall. Copies of the report are available at the town hall, Innisfil Public Library branches, or online at www.inspiringinnisfil.ca.