Drayton Valley & Brazeau County Regional Recreation and Culture Master Plan

The Town of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County are working together on a Recreation & Culture Master Plan to help guide decisions about parks, recreation, culture, and community spaces in our region.

This plan will help make sure the things we value, like arenas, pools, trails, halls, programs, and events, continue to meet the needs of people who live here now and in the future.

Why are we doing this?

Our region has changed, and it will continue to change. People’s interests, how they use facilities, and how much things cost are all shifting.

This plan will help answer questions like:

• What’s working well right now?
• What’s missing or needs improvement?
• Are our buildings and programs keeping up with demand?
• Where could the Town and County work together better?
• What should we consider investment in over the next 10-15 years?

The goal is to create a clear, shared plan so both the Town and County can make good decisions that support healthy, active, and connected communities.

What We’re Doing

The planning process is being completed in five connected phases, each building toward a practical strategy for the region.

1. Understanding the Planning Context

• We will review existing plans, policies, and strategies from both the Town and the County, as well as relevant provincial and national recreation and culture frameworks.
  This ensures the Master Plan aligns with broader goals and best practices.

1. Profiling Recreation & Culture in the Region

• This phase creates a clear picture of how recreation and culture currently function across Drayton Valley and Brazeau County, including:
  1. Population and demographic trends
  2. Facilities, parks, and spaces
  3. Programs, events, and services
  4. Community groups, volunteers, and partnerships

This helps us understand what exists today and how it is being used.

1. Learning from Trends and Other Communities

• We will look at emerging recreation and culture trends and learn from other similar communities in Alberta and across Canada.

This helps identify new ideas, best practices, and potential opportunities for the region.

Findings from Phases 1–3 will be shared in a “What We Learned” summary.

1. Listening to the Community

• Community input is a critical part of this project and will include:
  1. A region-wide resident survey
  2. A survey for recreation, culture, and community organizations
  3. Interviews, meetings, and open houses
  4. Online updates and information sharing

All input will be summarized in a “What We Heard” report.

1. Creating the Master Plan

• Using research and community input, the final phase will:
  1. Establish a shared vision and strategic priorities
  2. Identify future facility, park, and infrastructure directions
  3. Outline service delivery, partnerships, and community development approaches
  4. Consider financial impacts and funding options
  5. Provide a clear action plan with next steps

A draft plan will be shared publicly for review before being finalized and presented to both Councils.