YMCA defends survey process

A senior official of the Greater Toronto YMCA has defended the process followed in a survey which led to a conclusion that there is strong support for the introduction of YMCA facilities and services in North Dufferin.

In an e-mailed response to queries from Karren Wallace of Melancthon, Steve Boone, Senior Vice President of Asset Development for the Greater Toronto Y, said the survey's design "is based on universally accepted research methodology that YMCAs and municipalities utilize through third party, independent research professionals."

He said the firm employed, LeisurePlan International Inc. "is nationally recognized and contracted by many YMCAs and municipalities for recreation master plans and community readiness studies."

The methodology used, which involved surveying 428 area residents who responded to a total of 2,500 calls, "is the exact model we have used as a YMCA in studying levels of community readiness that have led to the building of new YMCAs in Markham, Durham and Brampton, all of which are now providing vital, relevant and quality programs and services in those regions."

The number of respondents surveyed and stratification of the "sample" (the number of respondents surveyed) "ensured a statistically valid and representative sample," and the phone numbers were "from a list management company authorized by Bell Canada.

"Each randomly selected telephone number was called at least three times during the survey period in order to complete an interview before discarding the telephone number if there was no answer."

Mr. Boone said the process followed ensured "that respondents were within the age category, that we had gender balance, that they lived within the geographic North Dufferin study area, and that they had time to answer all the questions."