Gathering meaningful data and background documentation allows a steering group to understand what the decision makers need in making the best decision for the community. A summary of the background information that is collected and analyzed must answer the following questions;

• Is the population growing and in what age groupings?
• What is the projected population and over the long term and how will growth affect the number of residents participating in aquatic sports?
• What are the community/corporate and departmental priorities?
• How can aquatic sport align and contribute to those priorities?
• What are the pool provision standards? Is a new pool on the horizon or is there an opportunity to refurbish a pool?
• Who are the other owner/operators of pools in the community and are there opportunities for increased sport programming if these facilities are expanded or refurbished?
• How well is the existing pool supply utilized and how could better pool design influence participation?
• What is the growth of aquatic sport in Ontario, regionally and locally? Who and how many are not being accommodated?
• What are the missed opportunities because facility time and space is not available?
• Who are the local, regional, and provincial partners?
• What are the key findings of this information and what are the options available to the interested parties?

Each of the following headings describes what data should be collected and identifies where an applicable source of the information can be found.