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“In my View, minor hockey has peaked and piateaued," said Getz. "The growth area has been in adult hockey, which is - - w--"- - -"'k than their building will hold. But awarding to Dr. Don Getz, a professor in recreation and leisure stud- ies at University of Waterloo, we're going in for less competitive team sports and individual activities, Gets, who has worked on strategic plans for arena managers and master plans for community parks and recre- ation departments, sees changes " just about every season. ladies softball team, the Waterloo Ghosts. Other teams are alive and well. The Waterloo CHYM'rs of the IFL carry on from year to year and there's little doubt that the Waterloo Sistine could attract Consider. the Waterloo Tigers of the InterCounty Major Baseball league have Suspended operations for a season. The Cambridge Guns of the Intercity .Pa.t!tuilregyuveadea.sohaath'e Richard O'Brien Chronicle Staff We do what we have to when we must and do what we want when we can. That's the same as it ever was. Indications are, however, that there are changes in what we want to do. For years, changes have been there for all to Me. Highly competitive spectator sports have been holding their own, at best, while social and recreational pursuits have grown in popularity. If that sounds, figuratively speaking, as if the lamb is starting to eat the lion, wtyshoyykesrssnoughuevsetit. The changing nature of leisure today to Not 'B' hockey "ii'fiii'i'i Neighborhood associations fill i gaps In City recreation needs In Waterloo', suburbs, associations are started by the contractor to maintain the upkeep of the neighborhood’s recreational facilities, such as a swimming pool or tennis court. When a new owner buys a houee,thereisttmtallyaninitialfeetojoin as well as a yearly fee. “We’te fulfilling a need in the neighbor- hood. You eon't depend on the city for everything," Diane Boundy, president of Beechwood II Homes association, said. Jane Wsurechen, the city's program People look in the blue pages. yellow mistant in the culture and recreation pages, but they're lost." department, said with the construction ofa Closer to Waterloo’s core, associations mall or as the children in a neighborhood are not developed around swimming pools mature, aattotahtiontsheamteltstm active. To or tennis courts but take on a political date, tive unanimous are already inactive. focus, mobilizing for a neighborhood cause. But, Mid Waurochen, when new rear The large - approximately 3,000 house dents move into I Want “sedation holds belong - Uptown Residents Home their enthusiasm “mementos and re Owners Association has no membership ttuiidfttttr-timtitm. fees but also has no neighborhood run Eric Beyer Chronicie Stan Neighborhood associations are a vital link in providing recreation to Waterloo residents, as well as being a politically unifyingforoe. With an increasing number of active neighborhood associations in Waterloo, city residents are finding more of their recreational needs, fulfilled at the grass- roots level. Associations range from being highly active, such as Lincoln Village Community to the dormant McDougall Road Home Owners. In some areas there are no association: at all. 1hxmtttetetttotttstt mmumwmmwmm new way from 'll'Jlr'lS'fllllht pom. logical because of the growth of the adult time at community rinks that doesn't go population." to minor hockey is likely being used by Recreational pursuits have changed to baby boomers in the 25-45 age group. accommodate adults and seniors. Ice So it goes with slopitch leagues taking Fiona Greenwood, president of Beech. wood North Homeowners' Association, recently moved from Toronto and is an avid supporter of ambitions. 'Tm very biassed; I think they're super," she said Beechwood North has two tennis courts and a swimming pool. Recreational activi» ties planned for this year include a hotdog brunch to start summer, an annual bar beque to end it, a bowling trip for children, Oktoberfest evening, Stratford trip, Cans da Day barbeque, and the "Beechwood Open" tennis tournament. The association also puts out an information booklet for visitors and new residents. Julie Ward, president of Lincoln Village, believes her association is indispensable because it informs new residents of the many services and activities available. "l think there's, a real need for (associations) People look in the blue pages, yellow pages, but they're lost." Closer to Waterloo’s core, associations are not developed around swimming pools or tennis courts but take on a political focus, mobilizing for a neighborhood cause. The large - approximately 3,000 house holds belong - Uptown Residents Home Owners Association has no membership "it is exciting because young families are coming with the expectation that it is a community atmosphere and they have the expectation that it will be a community. They're willing to put forth the effort to make it that sort of environment," she Waurechen said the my can encourage people who are doing well, but for those who are not active not much can be done "Like my volunteer mimic!) In the past it's not. our job to motivate the 833003 Costello noted that the only green space or recreational areas in the uptown area are at Waterloo Park and various school grounds. Compared with the newer assoc] ations, the amount of recreational space in Uptown is small Costello said mth the influx of new residents he could see his emulation being "revitalized" Donald McKay said he is only spokesman by default for the small and inactive McDougall Road Home Owners associa tion. McKay said the association has no facilities or regular newsletter McKay said the Minion would be foolish to have higher aspxranons. "l thmk I'm quite happy by having the watchdog role that we have." The services the my of Waterloo makes available to assoc)»; tions include grants. facilities, meeung rooms, photoaspiers, and information nights. Money is offered for a eraft pro- gram and commumty development recreational facilities Uptown residents organized about M years ago to save trees on Albert street. and now spend time watching my council, said Brian Costello, president ofthe as8ocr ation. He said as the community services are put in place aatociatiorts tend to go away. warmer weather. "A lot of cities built more courts than are need right now," said Gen, "but there could be a resurgence, What you get with hotter summers is longer warm periods in the spring and fall, whnch extends the season. Geta also sees a growth in bicycle pttttt-eilasslortgiiutametraairor waking. Tttereiaeveualink between leisure andrealertate,frwtt-hotannttned Fryariiimttulrtlfemu-ttereneigs tPrhoodatmetarouorrtheperimeteN thteourtsearetheinthing. There has also been a resurgence of Get: also notices a decline In the tune volunteers are able to give. A lack of volunteers is the main reason why teams fold or suspend operations Increased interest in fitness, has meant a surge in gym, fitness and health clubs. Interest in recreational swimmmg or...'.".?)-'--'- Similarly, Get: thinks people are interested in may skiing, but conditions for that activity have been very poor the past few winters. Changing weather could also change our summer pursuits. If Interest in tennis has declined since the days when Bjorn Borg had us interested, those public courta that sprang up might soon see more use if we continue to have marinas and condominiums a Lake Huron from north ofGoderich to Sama “The orientation to team sports 15 still very strong," said Gen. "but the time to commit to league play in sports is declining," the lion's (or lamb's?! share of time on local ball diamonds