Residents who need information about the location of food providers, employment offices, housing, or other daily necessities could soon be able to access those resources from a one-stop digital shop.
The City of Moose Jaw plans to work with the Moose Jaw Community Services Mapping Committee by hosting a virtual services map on the city website.
The community services map focuses on providing a visual online tool that lists free and low-cost services organized by categories based on social determinants of health, on increasing residents’ awareness and ability to find local services through a web-based map, on supplying insight into community functions and collaborating with 211 Saskatchewan, and on being accessible and integrated.
City administration presented a report about the community services map during the April 26 regular city council meeting. Council voted unanimously to receive and file the document.
“There is significant benefit to the City of Moose Jaw in creating the community services map, including service awareness, real-time directory, economic development support and website enhancement,” a council report said. “The map is organized into five areas representing the community associations’ boundaries plus the downtown core.”
The committee was formed in February 2020, with various community partners — such as health, education, immigrant, and social services groups — coming together. A city hall manager who looks after geographic information system (GIS) mapping also joined the committee.
The committee presented a request to members of city administration on Dec. 14, 2020, about developing a virtual services map, the report said. The proposal was then discussed at a subsequent strategic leadership meeting with the entire administration team.
While the committee is still finalizing its terms of reference, the service categories it wants to add to the map include food security, education/learning, employment/training, income support, community programs, housing, safety and security, and recreation, parks and playgrounds.
The objectives of this initiative align with the Official Community Plan by enhancing Moose Jaw’s identity as a place to visit, to locate, or expand a business, and by working in co-operation and co-ordination with other groups, agencies, institutions and governments, inside and outside the city, the report added.
Council discussion
This is a great project since it brings together several departments at city hall that can enhance a visual map of these services, said Scott Osmachenko, recreation services manager. The goal is to complete this project this year.
“It is exciting, and it is a real service to the community in a virtual format and in real-time, which is a highlight of the website,” he continued, adding “data stewards” will maintain the map and update it every year.
“I think it will be a great benefit to the city when completed,” observed Coun. Doug Blanc.
The next regular council meeting is Monday, May 10.
