Scotsburn Community

Conversation
February 15, 2016
The community of Scotsburn has undergone a number of changes in the last
decade. In fact, an asset-based community plan, done in 2012, is already
somewhat outdated, as the downtown core has seen the loss of its largest
employers in the years since. In an effort to determine the next steps in moving the
community forward, Nancy MacConnell-Maxner and Susan MacConnell, on behalf of
the Scotsburn Community Coalition, hosted a conversation to create a vision and a
future path.
Over thirty people, ranging in age from 9 to 90, gathered around tables in the John
P. Gammon Hall to tackle the broader questions of the evening. The conversation
started with a check in, where all of the participants formed a circle and were
asked to state, in one word, what community meant to them. This was the
response:

What does Community mean?

A Vibrant, Healthy, Thriving Community

Participants then went back to their tables to begin a World Caf. In this process,
participants sit in groups of four to six people, with one person recording the
responses to one of several questions. The responses are then shared back to the
group, and people move on to new groups for the next questions.
The first question asked was: How would you describe a vibrant, healthy,
thriving community?
Detailed responses are included in the appendix of this report and include such
things as welcoming, active, safe, diverse, sustainable, school, green spaces, and
fun. Tables were asked to create a vision statement as a response to this question,
and these were their responses:

A vibrant healthy community is one that is thriving based on diversity, openmindedness, builds on future based on the past, while using resources of the
present.
A healthy, vibrant community has a diversity of residents, businesses,
cultural and recreational opportunities.

An active community with lots of businesses, recreation areas, and meeting

spots, which can attract people to visit and maybe stay.
Welcoming, fun, family oriented.

Dreaming
The second question was: If money were no object, what could we do to be
that vibrant, healthy, thriving community?
This question was meant to create an opportunity to discuss the wildest possible
ideas. There were a good number of young people participating in the meeting, and
many of their responses focused on activities and recreation. Many of the adults
participating spoke of such things as public spaces, new business opportunities and
recreational options.
General Opportunities
Lots of community events
Thriving school
Public transportation
Diversity of backgrounds/cultures
Jobs
Youth events
Seniors complex
Wi-fi hot spots
Central meeting places (which we already have)
Amenities for youth (library/high speed internet)
Building lots for housing
Affordable apartments/housing
Energy independence
World class internet connections
Affordable housing
Mentoring programs
Cell phone coverage
Public transportation
ATM
Improve roads
Community doctor/clinic
Business Opportunities

Animal rehabilitation centre

Restaurants and cafes (independently owned) with different ethnic foods
Local brewery (creamery)
Ice cream stand
Candy store

Gas station (pumps)

Grocery store/farmers market/pharmacy
A bike store
Local medical centre (doctor/dentist/etc.)
General store/hardware store
Entrepreneurial incubator mall (shared space for businesses to thrive)
Store (convenience)
Bring more businesses in
Strong community store
Motel
Places to eat (diverse foods)
Country store
Day care centre
Medical centre
RV campground
Modern seniors complex
Cabinet/furniture shop
Farmers market
Small local businesses
Daycare

Activity-Based Opportunities

Skating rink
Trampoline park/rollerskating rink
Skateboard park
Off leash dog park
Physical activity centre where all ages can be active (gym/track/climbing wall,
outdoor rink, fun)
Increase recreation opportunities
Golf course
Gymnasium for indoor soccer and basketball
Physically active (access to recreation equipment)
Access to the local gym
Ball field/tennis court
Pool
Hiking trails
Cross country skiing
Mini golf

Space Opportunities

Community gardens/public spaces

Well-maintained roads with bike lanes
Walkable downtown core

Multi-use hiking trails

Fishing
Seniors centre
Community greenhouse (solar/green energy)
Signage for trails
Public library/community space
Community garden
Open space for people to gather (indoor/outdoor)
Gazebo/bandstand
Festival opportunities
Amphitheatre

Cultural Opportunities

Living history museum/site

Live music
Library
Shared creative space for artists (low rent, storefront)
Attraction thats unique (art installation? Trails)
Art gallery
Theatre for plays/music
Music studio/space for lessons
Continuing education programs (language, arts, cooking, IT, business, etc.)
Museum
More programming in this local area
Art centre/studio

Preparing for Doing

The third question asked participants to bring the dreams to a level where they
could become reality. Whereas the second question said, money is no object, this
question asked participants to consider the limitations of the communitys abilities,
and then to answer: What are some realistic steps we can take to work
toward our vision of the vibrant, healthy, thriving community?
There were a number of very specific ideas brought forward by the groups. The
detailed responses are found in appendix 2 of this report, and included such things
as signage, community fundraising, cell phone coverage, high speed internet
access, resident surveys, community school revitalization and attracting businesses
to the area.
Participants were then asked to decide the top three responses that their table
wished to bring forward. Those ideas were posted on the wall of the recreation
centre, and each participant was asked to pick three ideas on which to place a

checkmark. Known as a Dotmocracy, this is a quick way to prioritize ideas in a

group setting. The following are the responses, in order of votes:
1. Upgrade our current recreation facilities and programs (19 votes)
1. Cell phone coverage/internet/wifi (19 votes)
o Coalition to form a committee to determine coverage needs and
contact corporations/government
2. Signage (15 votes)
o Fundraise
o Quotes
o Location
2. Create agricultural network that supports and reaches out to farmers who are
already here and those who want to start (15 votes)
3. Local market (7 votes)
a. Buy building
b. Sublet out to specialized products/services or consignment
4. Understand the existing demographics of the community to help set priorities
and direction for moving forward (5 votes)
4. Develop a survey to find out who is in our community (ages, number of
people) and what their interest and talents are, to see what type of
programming needs to be developed and who has the skill set to host the
programming. Find the Leaders. (5 votes)
5. Build on what we already have i.e. make better use of spaces and resources
(2 votes)
5. Roads (2 votes)
a. Contact department of transportation
b. Talk to politicians
6. Maximize existing spaces i.e. offer government representatives space in JPG
Centre to meet constituents (1 vote)
6. Explore availability of funding (municipal, provincial and federal) and apply
for grants as available (1 vote)
6. Develop business plan for a cooperative that would support a variety of
businesses (gas pumps, farming opportunities, secondary food
manufacturing, etc.). (1 vote)
7. Find land that is available for development and investors to assist with the
financial/time/supplies

Conclusion
At the end of the conversation, participants formed circles of support, indicating
their role in the community moving forward. The options were: (a) the inner circle
people who are prepared to take a leading role in the work; (b) the middle circle
people who will help when asked; and (c) the outer circle cheerleaders who will
attend events and be positive voices of support.
Next steps include taking this report to the Scotsburn Community Coalition and
building a strategic plan for moving forward. Those who are interested in being

actively involved in the development of tactical plans (especially those related to

the priority areas listed above) are encouraged to call Susan at 902-485-8689 or
email susan@skavrosolutions.com.

Appendix 1: Raw Responses to Question 1

Question 1: How would you describe a vibrant, healthy, thriving community?

Sustainable
Small
People helping environment
Kids playing
Small business innovation
Talking (conversations)
Community events
Recreation
Neighbours helping each other
Working together
Pride of place (community garden, well-maintained environment)
Small shops
Welcoming
People walking around
Teaching each other
Everything you need is there (in arms reach)
All ages generations
Community services
School
Park (gathering spot)
Education (school and other)
Lots of small businesses
Connection people knowing each other
Attractive real estate area
A busy central area
Safety (all generations seniors, kids safe to bike/go to park on their own)
Sustainable agriculture as part of community
A future here for our children
Welcoming people from away feel welcome
Having something that will attract people here
Active involvement
Safety
Physically active
Awareness of opportunities
Active playgrounds
No homeless people
Local businesses
Local diversity
Implements physical activity available to all ages
Vibrant/well-attended church community

Open mindedness
Gardening clubs
Active/growing schools
Active parents
Volunteering
Conscious about sustainability
High involvement
Strong communication/outreach
Sharing of talents/knowledge
Neighbourhood watch/sense of safety
Community events and fundraisers
Fire department
Making good use of current resources and expanded uses
Local business (independently owned, crafts, artisans)
Scenic (landscaping)
Act bigger than you are (vision)
Downtown core a hub/gathering place
Public art installations
Green spaces/playgrounds
Culture (theatre, art, music)
Community groups (yoga, recreation, 55+ club, photography)
Diversity of residents (variety of ages, backgrounds, ethnicities)
Recreation (network of trails, sports fields)
Community gardens
Restaurants/cafes
Education opportunities
Rollerskating rink
Ice cream stand/community stores
New houses
Playgrounds
Trampoline park
Dog park
Hiking trails
Fun
Welcoming
Events (pancake breakfast, grilled cheese lunch)
United
School
Youth activities
Community centre
Active people
Amenities (businesses, organizations, arts scene, history)
People (self-sustaining, spirit)
Like Tatamagouche

Appendix 2: Raw Responses to Question 3

What are some realistic steps we can take to work toward our vision of the vibrant,
thriving community?

Contact dept of transportation re: roads

Welcome to Scotsburn sign
Signs for TransCanada and Fitzpatrick Trails
Community fundraising
Local Store
o Buy building
o Sublet it out to specialized products/services (avoid duplication)
o Research/invite people to come
Encourage businesses to locate or relocate here
o Wifi hotspot
o Cell phone coverage
o Faster internet
Demonstrated support for local business
Can we attract people to local farming?
Affordable accommodations
o Government infrastructure money
o Community shuttle service (CHAD?)
Signage (shameless self-promotion)
Develop a survey for the community that will ask questions about:
Number of people in family
Ages
Address
Interests/talents (expertise)
Careers
Needs to be in digital and printed forms with prepaid envelopes)
o Use information to create a network of people to deliver community
programming
o Tailor programs based on current facilities
o Include all ages/abilities
Look at available resources and make sure were efficient, and doing the
most with what we have (who are we?)
Explore availability of funding municipal, provincial, federal grants
Decide priorities, then fundraise
o Understanding demographics of community and therefore needs
Identify passionate individuals to start grassroots groups and build from
there
o Local theatre troupe put on plays and use revenue to fund local
theatre
Identifying expertise and promoting it (advertising/marketing)
Better communication of events and local businesses (website regularly
updated)
Signage to highlight what we have

o Identify what we want

o Speak to local MLA
o Identify costs
o Confirm with community that they want this
o Identify $$$ raising/source opportunities
Put fun in physical activity
Cell phone coverage: Coalition form a committee to contact corporation and
government (determine need/coverage areas)
Offer government representatives space in JPG Centre to meet constituents
Explore cooperative venture group to bring back amenities/establish new
opportunities
Projection plan/business plan
Be supportive of local businesses