Media Release: Town Releases Annual Resident Survey Results (May 24, 2019)
Posted on 05/23/2019
Image of words 2019 Annual SurveyTown Releases Annual Resident Survey Results

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2019

Today the Town of Stratford released the results of its 8th Annual Resident Survey. Each year residents are asked their opinion about topics such as the environment, healthy living, safety, and services within the Town.

The results remain consistent with previous years showing continued satisfaction among residents with Town governance and the services provided. For example 80% of residents said they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the overall performance of the Town, 73% are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the Town’s abilities to meet their needs and 71% responded that they are “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the opportunities for input into planning and decision making of the Town.

“The Annual Resident Survey, which has been released today, provides Council and staff with an opportunity to hear directly from residents,” commented Stratford Mayor Steve Ogden. “Resident engagement in decision-making is vitally important to Council and staff in the Town of Stratford and the survey continues to be an invaluable tool to measure our progress on strategic objectives as well as a method of soliciting feedback from residents on potential projects and priorities.”

This year the survey included a special group of questions asking residents to rate their top five potential capital spending priorities, operational priorities and priority assets for the proposed Community Campus. The top five for each are as follows:

Capital Spending Priorities:
- Sidewalk and bike lanes
- Waterfront park
- Community campus
- Trail network
- Natural area preservation

Operational Priorities:
- Affordable housing program
- Snow clearing on trails for year-round access
- Additional family recreation/wellness programming
- Additional adult recreation/wellness programming
- Additional youth recreation/wellness programming

Community Campus Priorities:
- Trails
- Public library
- Ice arena(s)
- Multi-purpose space
- Outdoor skating oval

“The information gathered through the survey will assist the Town in planning for the future of our growing community,” added Mayor Ogden. “The survey results, particularly around the larger cost items will give us some direction to move forward with and obtain costing on, as well as to look at funding options available. We appreciate the time residents took once again this year to complete our survey and provide us with this information.”

The 2019 survey also found that 95% of residents report they have a “great deal” or “some” confidence in the Stratford RCMP, that 92% of residents report their health to be “about the same”, “somewhat better” or “much better” when asked to compare to one year ago and showed 96% of respondents in support of the Town using resources to protect the environment.

The full report and summary of this year and previous surveys can be found on the Town of Stratford website www.townofstratford.ca.

Residents interested in learning more about the Community Campus plan are invited to attend an open house on Tuesday, May 28 at 7pm at Stratford Town Centre, 234 Shakespeare Drive, where a summary of the most recent two workshops will be provided and input into further planning will also take place. All are welcome to attend.

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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community Engagement Coordinator
Phone: (902) 569-1995
Email: [email protected]