EZT’s recreation committee releases survey results

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

East Zorra-Tavistock’s (EZT) recreation advisory committee (RAC) is one step closer to recommending sport and leisure options for residents.

The committee was created almost two years ago. To date, no recommendations have been made to council, but that is expected to change at the group’s next meeting on Dec. 10.

Close to 300 EZT residents took the survey, and exercise classes topped the list of activities, followed by maker classes, drop-in indoor recreation options, outdoor movie nights and drop-in outdoor options. When it came to specific activities, pickleball topped the list and most respondents said they would be willing to pay for service.

Township CAO Karen DePrest said the municipality will offer specialized programming on a cost-recovery basis, following the same approach used by the City of London during her tenure there.

Councillor and committee member Scott Rudy asked if the township would be able to run activities with current staff.

“Without tipping our hand for the 2026 budget, staff think we can work a system with the complement of staff we have, plus or minus a lead hand in that area,” said DePrest. “Because it’s more of an administrative function to dabble in programming right now because we don’t have any expertise, I would like to see (recreation operations supervisor) Matt (Lamers’) role be characterized by the sampling and trying of programming and then give him an operational lead hand at the arena who can take responsibility of the arena.”

Rudy added he would like to see the township pick a firm number of activities and see how residents react.

“If we find out we only have a class size for two of the six, that will tell you something before we get too far down the staff. I’d rather see us do it with current staff on some of the fixed numbers. If it takes off, I think we can add to it as opposed to biting off more than we can chew.”

DePrest said her hope is the RAC will pick activities that could be easily facilitated to find out how the community responds.

“I think there’s lots of opportunity for drop-ins. Pickleball was repeated, and it’s obviously a very popular sport. I think it’s great there are volunteers in the community who want to organize it, but the township (could) advertise drop-in pickleball for beginners for two dollars or whatever at the Tavistock Memorial Hall on whatever nights.”

She added staff need direction from the committee and then council to come up with specific recreation activities to be offered for residents. After some discussion, the committee agreed to have a brainstorming session before its official meeting in December.

The committee and township will also have to work through logistical issues, such as what events need outside help and where to hold them.

“Pickleball isn’t something we are going to farm out; we don’t need an instructor for drop-in pickleball. I think it would help staff a lot more to know where you think we should target that. We can’t offer multiple courts at the ICC (Innerkip Community Centre), so it’s one court, potentially two there, but multiple courts if we do it in the Queen’s Park Pavilion when the weather is nice.”

Cooking courses would likely be held at the ICC since it is the biggest and best kitchen available in EZT.

“Staff could give that feedback to council, but it would be nicer if the committee gave that suggestion to council and then council directed staff,” added DePrest.

The December meeting will create a road map for what recreation options will be piloted where in the township, either Hickson, Innerkip or Tavistock. The RAC will meet before the official committee meeting to produce recommendations for council to consider in the 2026 budget. The 6 p.m. portion will be open to the public but not livestreamed. The regular 7 p.m. meeting will be available online.