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Organization Needs <br />When asked what types of <br />facilities these groups would <br />need for social and educational <br />activities, the top three were <br />meeting rooms (80%), social <br />areas (60%) and kitchens (55%) . <br />Four of the groups- noted an <br />.involvement with outdoor nature <br />activities and 6 said .they would <br />use outdoor trails. <br />Sports and fitness activities <br />.are evenly split between the use <br />of a gymnasium, an ice arena, <br />a swimming pool and sports <br />areas. 22% of the organizations <br />did not identify a need or use <br />for any of these activities. <br />A number of organizations <br />indicated. that the facilities <br />they currently owned or rented <br />were inadequate. <br />Membership for these <br />organizations ranges from 30 <br />to 960 .people, with the ages <br />extending from 5 years old to <br />over 65. Frequency of use was <br />examined in terms of weekly, <br />monthly and annual meetings. <br />A potential of 16.5 meeting <br />events were tabulated. <br />Individual Pleeds <br />Resident. responses paralleled <br />the organization requests for <br />meeting and banquet space. <br />Individual interests include the <br />wide range of recreational <br />programs. Current facilities <br />are used to their practical <br />limits. Particular demand <br />exists for gymnasium, execise, <br />and swimming facilities. <br />Recreational participation is <br />on the increase. <br />Future Trends <br />Liesure time use and community <br />population composition help to <br />guage community center needs. <br />In 1961, 72% of the population <br />was in the work force, and in <br />1986 that number increased to <br />81%. In 1973, the average <br />person had 26 hours of leisure <br />time per week, decreasing to <br />only 18 hours per week in 1987. <br />Fifty-eight per cent of married <br />couples with children at home <br />are both working.. Over 50% of <br />women are working.` Single <br />person households are <br />increasing. Our population is <br />aging. Emphasis on health and <br />fitness continues to expand. <br />Recreation participation is <br />greatest in the 25-44 year age <br />group which is New Brighton's <br />fastest growing population <br />group. Total population is not <br />projected to grow. <br />What does that mean in terms of <br />community center needs? <br />Recreational demand will <br />increase. Health and fitness <br />activities will continue to <br />grow. Child and adult care <br />services need consideration to <br />permit participation. An aging <br />population spends more time <br />socializing and less time in <br />team sports and other active <br />recreation. <br />Residents will continue to <br />demand more information and news <br />about the world and themselves. <br />Recreation and education will <br />have to be convenient to meet <br />limited time- resources and <br />complicated home schedules. <br />Page 2 June 13, 1989 <br />