By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
“I think the numbers speak for themselves,” Cythnia Cakebread, Manager of Recreation and Culture, told Essex Council when presenting the 2025 update on the Recreation Department’s programming during the regular meeting on Monday evening.
The numbers lay out how much the Recreation Department does with a very small complement of staff.
“We are stretching ourselves out, but still showing up and working with our team,” Cakebread said.
Her report details that there was a 3,084% increase of revenue at the Essex Recreation Complex comparing 2010 to 2025. Revenue in 2025 to date is $279,257.40. Participation in programming has grown from 332 to 1,832.
Significant growth has also taken place at the Maedel Community Centre, with a 1,668% growth in revenue when comparing 2010 to 2025. So far in 2025, it has brought in $208,902.50 in revenue. $2,417 has been brought in through McGregor and Colchester programs, and $5,748.75 through the Harrow programs.
She uses 2010 to compare as a corporate change was made then on how the department was laid out. Her Report to Council highlights that at that time, there was an introduction of the Assistant Manager – Programs position. Since, the Community Services Department has experienced significant growth in both the number and variety of programs offered. Further, to support this expansion, an additional part-time Program Coordinator position was added in 2018, allowing the department to continue meeting increasing demand.
Currently, the Town of Essex has up to nine facilities it uses for programs, Cakebread said, adding there are no other municipalities doing that.
“We are in all corners of our community, from Colchester up to Essex [Centre],” she added, noting the Town’s Recreation Department has “strong support with the community, as well as very strong support in non-resident users that are using us.
“We have a very good reputation,” Cakebread said. “Amongst my peers, I like it when they say ‘we can’t all be Essex.’ We are able to do a lot of things. We are very creative.”
One important number she wanted to highlight was the growth of the part-time staff in the Recreation Department, which used to have to depend on borrowing from the Aquatics staff pool to run dry programming. Essex has been able to build up a really big resource of just recreation-based instructors, who run birthday parties, work facilities, and help out at special events.
Her report notes that the Recreation Department employs an average of 50 part-time student staff members, who are responsible for instructing, leading, and supervising a wide-range of programs, events, and facility rentals.
Since 2010, the Clubhouse Day Camp program at the Essex Recreation Complex has had significant growth, becoming a cornerstone of the Town of Essex’s recreation offerings, her report adds. In 2024, the program expanded by adding Squad Camp, which focuses on getting participants more actively engaged in the community and supports their personal development.
Councillor Kim Verbeek added another benefit is the employment opportunity programming provides to local young people.
Cakebread added staff hears phenomenal feedback from program users on the quality-level of the staff.
“That really comes from the top down, on what they are doing to help develop those staff and keep them improving upon what they do and how they deliver the programs.”