Norfolk County Council is set to review the newly completed Facilities Master Plan during a special council meeting on today (Tuesday, October 21).
The comprehensive plan provides a strategic framework for optimizing the County’s 120 facilities across 90 properties, aligning infrastructure with the community’s evolving needs, population growth, and fiscal realities.
The report outlines proposed improvements, additions, and divestments to enhance service delivery, accessibility, and long-term sustainability, while also identifying potential savings of approximately $8.6 million over the next decade.
The Facilities Master Plan recommends consolidating underutilized operations yards, building modern administration offices, upgrading emergency services facilities, and divesting some aging community centers and properties.
Many of the facilities slated for divestment currently serve charitable or community groups, which has prompted concerns from local residents and organizations.
They include yhe St Williams and Waterford Lions Community Centres, South Walsingham Town Hall, The Port Dover Scout and Kinsmen Halls and the Courtland Scout Hall.
Deputations are scheduled during Tuesday’s meeting, giving the public an opportunity to voice opinions on how divestments could impact community programming and services.
Council staff emphasize that adopting the Master Plan sets a strategic direction only; individual property sales, renovations, or construction projects will return to Council for separate approval.
The plan also includes a robust consultation process, incorporating feedback from public surveys, open houses, and workshops with County staff and leadership to ensure recommendations reflect operational realities and community needs.
Norfolk County officials say the Master Plan aims to modernize facilities, improve operational efficiency, and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent effectively, while balancing the difficult trade-offs of divesting some assets to reinvest in facilities that serve the greatest number of residents.