Ontario Playdowns - Is There A Better Way?

I see Brian Fowler is searching for entry numbers for this years District Fours playdowns leading to qualification for the Provincial Championships. We are now and have been, for some time, discussing in our own groups a better method/format at this first stage.I am sure Brian will elicit suggestions on the Facebook Bowls in Canada site and I invite you to add your comments on this blog.
My goal is to gather the information and to eventually forward to OLBA as a recommendation(s) for their consideration.

STATS

By polling, here are the total 2012 Fours Entries.
Interestingly nearly even, Men 51, Women 50.

           Men          Women
D1          3                  1
D2          3                  1
D3          2                  4
D4          3                  1
D5          8                  8
D6          5                  3
D7          1                  2
D8          2                  3
D9          3                  4
D10        5                  6
D11        1                  1
D12        2                  2
D13        4                  6
D14        3                  3
D15        3                  2
D16        3                  3

Using the past - By Zone ( ie District 1,2,3,4 would be Zone ONE; Zone TWO, Districts 5,6,7,8 ; Zone THREE, Districts 9,10,11,12; Zone FOUR, Districts 13,14,15,16)
Totals      Men                Women
ZONE 1     11                      7
ZONE 2     16                     16
ZONE 3     11                     13
ZONE 4     13                     14

OPTION 1
Sixteen District Reps by Entry Percentage, No Walk Throughs
                  Men                       Women
D1                 1                              1 (Combine with  D2)
D2                 1                                 (Combine with D1)
D3                 1                              1 (Combine with D4
D4                 1                                 (Combine with D3)
D5                 2                              2
D6                 2                              1
D7                   (Combine w D8)     1
D8                 1(Combine w D7)                              1
D9                 1                              1
D10               2                              2
D11                 (Combine w D12)     (Combine w D12 )
D12               1 (Combine w D11)     (Combine w D11)                         1
D13               1                               2
D14               1                               1
D15               1                               1
D16               1                               1

One entry Districts move up or down to lowest entry neighbour and travel for tournament.
In the case of the women in District 1 and 2, both single entries, they would alternate year to year for tournament. ( Entails some record keeping ).
Option 1 is not my choice for best change but it does address alterations to the current format concerns without major transformation.
It eliminates the 'no play advancement ' , rewards the Districts with higher entry numbers and keeps travel concerns to a minimum.

Coming soon - ZONE PLAY - A Joe Murphy Submission.
Do you have a recommendation?