Hub Staff

A telephone Market Study is now underway in Saugeen Shores to determine the feasibility of a YMCA facility in Saugeen Shores.

The study is being conducted by LeisurePlan International Inc. and is expected to include approximately 400 residents between the ages of 20 and 64.

John Stevenson, President of LeisurePlan International said that targeting adults only was "by design."

"There was a certain budget for the work and when you look at the different age groups, the age group that has perhaps the most significant impact or potential implication for the financial viability is the adult age group," Stevenson explained, adding that that seniors are typically subsidized as is the youth. "The adult age group typically has the biggest impact on whether these things are financially viable or not," he said.

Stevenson added that in an ideal world with unlimited funds everyone could be researched but limiting it to adults was "to make the best use of the funds."

The goal of the survey is to set up a statistically viable sample of the adult population in Saugeen Shores. "That allows us to do projections on the number of participants," explained Stevenson, adding that part of the research involves testing prices and fees "so we can do estimates of the number of participants at a certain fee," he said.

UPDATE: A December 3 media release from the Town of Saugeen Shores stated that while the telephone survey’s primary purpose is to determine financial feasibility, other steps are being taken to ensure the Town has a full picture of interest in the potential facility, including engaging directly with users through focus groups and round table meetings. A public round table discussion has been scheduled on Wednesday, December 19 at 2 p.m. in Rotary Hall at The Plex.

See also: YMCA information meeting well attended