MOOSE JAW — City hall has gained a better understanding of what residents want in a new cultural action plan based on feedback received during the project’s phase 2 community engagement activities.
Phase 2 kicked off in June 2022 and wrapped up in April. The objectives were to continue expanding the team with diverse representation from the community; invite residents to learn about phase 1’s findings; seek input for a vision, strategic goals and action items; and bring together groups to focus on community spirit, inclusion and cultural vitality.
Contractor Prairie Wild Consulting conducted 56 surveys last year during Sidewalk Days and Festival of Words, while 139 people responded to an online survey and 28 people participated in focus groups.
The firm summarized the findings from the three activities and created a report grouping answers into 12 themes. It presented that report during city council’s June 12 executive committee meeting.
The main themes included community building, diversity, heritage, arts and cultural enterprise, events and activities, venues, parks and natural spaces, cultural resources and support, accessibility, urban environment, downtown and municipal governance and leadership.
Community building
According to the summary report, respondents focused on positive community characteristics such as inclusivity, involvement, volunteerism, connections, neighbourliness, friendliness, community spirit, open-mindedness, co-operation, support, interaction, and shared experiences.
Some comments reflected people’s opinions of the community today, while others were aspirational and intended to encourage more community-building efforts.
Furthermore, respondents commonly cited events and gatherings as important opportunities to act out, practice and maintain. Volunteerism and involvement in these events and activities were also critical to community building.
Community-based partnerships, strengthening partnerships and improving communications were seen as positives, the report said. Conversely, some people thought there was a lack of community based on divisions, a lack of trust and involvement, and a declining sense of community spirit.
Diversity
Comments about diversity focused on being welcoming or adapting to increased community diversity, the report said. Most respondents focused on ethnic diversity and multiculturalism, particularly with new immigrants and Aboriginal People.
Respondents also identified the increased presence of newcomers as a major driver of ethnic and multicultural change over the years and decades.
“Most comments suggested that residents have gradually become more welcoming, though some suggested more work in this direction was needed,” the report said. “Multicultural events were seen as a constructive way to advance this objective and benefit from the increased multicultural presence.
Heritage
Most comments focused on local Canadian history or Aboriginal heritage, while others focused on historic buildings — such as the Grant Hall and Canadian Pacific Railway structure — as important historic resources.
Further, respondents thought preserving these structures — especially downtown — was important to maintain Moose Jaw’s character, the report said. They thought the museum and art gallery and Western Development Museum contributed to preserving heritage artifacts and programming.
Local folklore and stories — such as with the tunnels — also received attention.
Arts and cultural enterprise
Among the art forms, events and activities respondents discussed, music received the most attention, including The Band and Choral Festival, the report said. Respondents liked the murals but were concerned about maintenance issues. Literature also received considerable attention, specifically the Festival of Words.
Further, respondents liked the drama and theatre activities and camps that schools and community groups host, while they thought supporting artists and cultural enterprises was important long-term.
Events and activities
Respondents identified Motif, Festival of Words, Sidewalk Days, the Band and Choral Festival and Bison Fest as activities they appreciated. The report noted that residents spoke most about Motif and the desire to bring it back.
Other comments focused on improving event participation through better promotions or planning.
Venues
Respondents were concerned that some venues were not properly maintained, including the Kinsmen Sportsplex, the Events Centre and the Cultural Centre/Mae Wilson Theatre, the report said. Other comments focused on upgrading venues and venue design, while others wanted to see the buildings better used.
About half of respondents were satisfied with the current usage and maintenance levels, while slightly less than half were satisfied with the design.
Parks and natural spaces
Survey respondents focused on Wakamow Valley, Crescent Park and the old Wild Animal Park as their favourite spaces since they could enjoy the outdoors and walking trails, the report said.
Some people suggested parks and public spaces could be improved through increased cleanliness, safety and maintenance.
Cultural resources and support
Residents identified funding as critical for community-based organizations to function and hold cultural events. Participants also discussed various funding sources, though most attention was on support from the city and business community.
Accessibility
Participants discussed barriers that limit people’s access to cultural opportunities, including limitations due to people’s work schedules and other responsibilities, the report said.
Residents also focused on the insufficient promotion of cultural opportunities and poor transportation as barriers to attending events.
Urban environment
Respondents focused mainly on negative characteristics in the urban environment, such as safety, crime, drug use, and uncleanliness. Other comments described Moose Jaw as having a small town or small city character.
Downtown
Residents discussed the importance of public places, especially the downtown, which has unique characteristics with a higher cultural resources concentration than any other location, the report said.
Other comments focused on preserving distinct neighbourhood characteristics, which contribute to broader placemaking efforts across the city.
Municipal governance and leadership
Most discussions about municipal governance and leadership focused on funding and the city’s role in culture. Some respondents spoke about distrust of government or government management and a desire for more accountability or fewer restrictions.
City hall expects Prairie Wild Consulting to present the finished cultural action plan in early 2024.
