Community Hall Engagement

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Learn more about Community Hall Strategy
 
Rural community halls play a key role in meeting the wide ranging social, cultural, and recreational needs of our communities. Community halls remain a vital part of the County's social fabric, yet in recent years many have experienced a range of issues that affect their sustainability. 
 
Council's 2022-2026 Strategic Plan specifically identified "development of a Community Halls Strategy" as a priority project.  This broad strategy would be used to help address the complex issues that affect sustainability & viability of community halls in the County of Barrhead.  
 
Throughout 2022-23, the County of Barrhead engaged with rural community halls to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, & threats that they face, to help support their path towards viability and long-term sustainability.
 
The Strategy has become a fundamental guiding document for the County of Barrhead, and gives clear direction for Council's future decisions regarding community halls.  

Stakeholder Engagement:
Stakeholder engagement was essential to the development of a Community Halls Strategy.  Engagement with community hall members, volunteers, & operators prior to the development of a strategy provides the opportunity to share stakeholder concerns and recommendations regarding viability & sustainability of community halls.
 
Step 1.   Engagement Session: Assessing the Situation
    • Details: Held Oct 5, 2022, in-person at Glenreagh Hall
    • Focus: Discussions surrounding a SWOT Analysis of community halls, short-term and long-term goals
Step 2.   First "What We Heard" Report
    • Purpose: Summary of Oct 5, 2022 engagement session
    • Validation: Stakeholders able to review draft from Nov 1-14, 2022.  2 comments received.
    • Council: Accepted by Council Dec 6, 2022
Step 3.   Engagement Session: Forming Recommendations 
    • Details: Held Mar 16, 2023, in-person at Glenreagh Hall
    • Focus: Identify recommendations for community halls and County of Barrhead to achieve sustainability goals
Step 4.   Second "What We Heard" Report
    • Purpose: Summary of Mar 16, 2023 engagement session
    • Validation: Stakeholders able to review draft from Apr 15-23, 2023.  No comments received.
    • Council: Accepted by Council May 16, 2023
Step 5.   Council's Priorities
    • Details: Council discussion during June 20, 2023 Committee of the Whole
    • Focus: Identify priorities for County of Barrhead's recommendations & actions
    • Results: Summary can be found on page 15 of Community Hall Strategy
Step 6.   Community Hall Strategy
    •  Council: Accepted by Council on July 4, 2023