Sandy Hill Community Centre Redevelopment Survey
Summary of survey results
Thank you to everyone who responded to our survey about renovating and building an addition to the Sandy Hill Community Centre.
The majority of the respondents (77%) were members of the public. The other groups of respondents were representatives of an organization or rental group, and uOttawa students.
According to the survey, 77% of the respondents are presently using the community centre for commute/walk through, 65% for passive exterior and interior uses such as sitting and reading and 52% for skating. Other activities frequently mentioned are the use of the outdoor preschool structures, wading pool, and attending children/after school programs, march break camps, and rental groups/rental activity/community events.
With regards to frequency, the majority of respondents indicated they use the community centre every day, a few times a week, or once a week. About one out of five respondents indicated they do not use the community centre due to the lack of programming.
Respondents indicated that the most important features to be considered as part of a renovation/addition to the community centre would be weather-protection for the exterior patio (74% of respondents), a new gymnasium (68%), and universal change rooms/washrooms (58%). Sixteen percent (16 %) of the respondents indicated that a pool (indoor or outdoor) should be considered. In addition to the previously mentioned most desired features, other improvements were suggested such as better acoustics, more space for visual arts, and a sauna. These amenities will be reviewed with the feasibility study.
Survey
The Sandy Hill Community Centre, located at 250 Somerset Street East, is aging and investments are needed to ensure the facility continues to thrive and keep up with demand.
The Centre currently consists of:
- A Main Hall, with kitchen (2720 square feet, maximum capacity 140)
- 4 multi-purpose rooms
- Craft Room attached to Preschool Room (1406 square feet combined, maximum capacity of Preschool Room 70, maximum capacity of Craft Room 25)
- Games Room (925 square feet, maximum capacity 50, contains foosball table, ping pong table and air hockey table)
- Studio (760 square feet, contains ballet barres and mirrors for dance)
- A boardroom (558 square feet, maximum capacity 20, boardroom table and chairs for meetings)
- A lounge, with public computers (Main lobby)
- Basement kitchenette attached to Studio Room
- An uncovered outdoor area with outdoor ping pong table
- Green space (Annie Pootoogook Park)
- A wading pool
- Multiple outdoor preschool Structure
- Seasonal outdoor rink
More specifically, it is currently not equipped with a gym large enough to support the sport and programming needs of the community. At this time, adding an indoor rink or pool is not being considered.
The Councillor’s Office along with the City of Ottawa’s Recreational, Cultural and Facility Planning Department wants to hear from you about what should be considered when planning for future expansion and revitalization of the Sandy Hill Community Centre. We are presently working with a group of students from Carleton University’s Azrieli School of Architecture and Urbanism. As a next step to this initial survey, we are hoping to provide design ideas, for future considerations.
