Council’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan Report Card – Community Services Master Plan

As the 2023–2027 Council term nears completion, we’re sharing a series of “report cards” by highlighting progress on a major MM2048 initiative: the Mississippi Mills Community Services Master Plan.

Strategic Plan Principle – Welcoming, Inclusive, Active and Healthy Community.

Adopted by Council in 2025 and developed by Stantec Consulting Ltd., the CSMP provides a long-term roadmap to enhance and expand the Municipality’s network of parks, recreation facilities, childcare services, cultural programming and community amenities. It reflects anticipated population growth, evolving service trends and the community’s expectations for high-quality, accessible services.

How the plan was built

Work began in 2023 with extensive community engagement, including focus groups, surveys and questionnaires. This input shaped the plan’s six core components:

• Childcare
• Culture and events
• Recreation
• Programs and service delivery
• Projects, staffing and finance
• Parks and facilities

The final plan includes 87 recommendations, organized into short, medium and long-term priorities.

Major milestone: New childcare facility

One of the most significant recommendations – an expanded Mississippi Mills Childcare Services facility – is already becoming a reality. Construction is underway on Menzie Street, with the new centre expected to open in September 2026, increasing capacity and improving service delivery for local families.

Progress on other key recommendations

Several additional initiatives are either completed, underway or in development:

• Public Art Policy – advancing cultural vibrancy and community identity
• Partnership agreement for museums – strengthening collaboration with our three museums
• Online booking platform – improving access to facility rentals and program registration
• Parkland by-law review and park development manual – modernizing standards for future park planning
• Gemmill Park Master Plan – guiding long-term improvements to one of the community’s most significant parks
• Enhanced promotions and communications – expanding outreach to residents
• Recreation club capital recovery fund – supporting sustainability of local recreation organizations

These actions demonstrate steady progress toward building a more connected, active and culturally rich Mississippi Mills.

To explore the full set of recommendations and the vision guiding future community services, read the Mississippi Mills Community Services Master Plan.