The Town of Renfrew wants public input to help develop strategic priorities through consultation on its first ever Arts, Heritage, and Cultural Master Plan. The Town of Renfrew is working with DCarr Community Solutions of Ottawa to survey and engage the town’s residents, business, culture, and tourism sectors with the goal to strengthen the community’s social and economic prosperity through a comprehensive culture strategy.

Residents of all ages are invited to participate in a series of engagement sessions aimed at uncovering the rich tapestry of arts, culture, and heritage that exists within the community to help weave this landmark plan together. The initiative seeks to foster a deep appreciation for the many stories and experiences that make Renfrew's identity uniquely its own, from its past, present and into the future.

The engagement sessions welcome community members to share their perspectives, stories, and insights about what makes Renfrew truly special. The goal is to identify programs, activities, and opportunities to support its community’s social needs, economic growth, and tourism development.

Participants will connect with others through these public, all-ages sessions and contribute to the collective narrative that shapes the Town. In the fall, the consultants held interviews with key stakeholders in Renfrew’s arts, culture, heritage, community, and business sectors, helping to inform the public discussions in January.

For those unable to attend the Public Engagement Sessions in person, an online survey is available. The survey covers a range of topics related to arts, culture, and heritage, where people can share valuable insights, big ideas, and identify their own needs and interests in arts, cultural and heritage activities.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

In-Person Sessions: Drop in and chat with the consultants from DCarr Community Solutions:

• Golden Age Activity Centre: Friday, January 19, 2024: 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
• Renfrew Town Hall Council Boardroom: Friday, January 19, 2024: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Renfrew Public Library Program Room: Saturday, January 20, 2024: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Ma-te-Way Activity Centre Lobby: Sunday, January 21, 2024: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (and FREE public skate)

Online Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RenfrewPublic

“The Town of Renfrew recognizes the many beneficial opportunities that arts, culture, and heritage bring to a community’s social and economic stability,” says Kelly Thompson, Director of Community Services and Library. “The Cultural Master Plan process allows us to document and address the diverse needs of our community in a way that creates a future together that is inclusive, sustainable, and vibrant. The public engagement sessions being hosted by the consultants will bring together the diverse stories, experiences and perspectives that make Renfrew a truly unique and welcoming place to call home, while creating a road map for our first ever Arts, Heritage and Cultural Plan."

For more information please contact:

Janet Kreda

Research Director

DCarr Community Solutions

613-798-2095

janet@denniscarr.ca

OR 

Kelly Thompson

Director of Library & Community Services

Town of Renfrew

613-432-8151 ext. 600

kthompson@renfrewlibrary.ca