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THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
Meeting:
REPORT
GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File #1} If 19:/1
JULY 5, 1999 Res. #C:fft- ~'-1'c;
Date:
Report No.: WD-32-99
By-Law #
Subject:
FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING A GRASS INFIELD AT THE
SOPER CREEK PARK BASEBALL FACILITY
Recommendations:
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report WD-32-99 be received;
2. THAT the request that the Municipality install a grass infield at the Soper Creek
ball diamond be denied;
3 . THAT no further action be taken in this matter; and
4. THAT the Clarington Orioles Baseball Organization be advised of Council's
decision.
REPORT
1.0 ATTACHMENTS
No.1: Key Map
2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 At a regular meeting ofthe General Purpose and Administration Committee, the
Committee passed the following resolution:
"THAT, as there are a number of uncertainties with respect to the
construction of a grass infield at the Soper Creek ball diamond, the
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REPORT NO.: WD-32-99
PAGE 2
project be referred back to the Director of Public Works for
preparation of a future report leading to further discussion."
3.0 COMMENT
3.1 The Clarington Orioles Baseball Organization has requested that the Municipality
install a grass infield at the Soper Creek baseball diamond. (refer to Attachment
No.1). A grass surface is preferred over a granular surface for baseball because
surface sand (granular) is easily disturbed during the course of a game, resulting
in an uneven playing surface. The surface depressions caused by footprints or
ball marks can cause batted balls to take unexpected or unusual hops or bounces
which affects the quality of game play.
3.2 The Soper Creek Park ball diamond is used exclusively for baseball. . The raised
pitcher's mound makes it undesirable for softball. The playing surface consists of
a granular infield with a grassed outfield. At the present time, the infield has poor
surface drainage. Sections of the infield are subject to heavy ponding of water
after rainstorms.
3.3 Construction of a grassed infield will require installation of new granular infield
material, topsoil, sod, a drainage and irrigation system, as well as a water supply
line.
Installation of an irrigation system will requite that a water supply line be
extended from Baseline Road to the baseball diamond. The new water supply line
would be sized to accommodate potential future needs in the park, such as
washroom facilities. The preliminary estimated cost of installing a grass infield,
including a water supply line, is $77,000.00.
3.4 Baseball diamonds with granular infields are easier and less costly to maintain
than diamonds with grassed infields. Sand surfaces are simply dragged using
small trucks equipped with chains. The outfield grass is cut efficiently with use
of a large mower.
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REPORT NO.: WD-32-99
PAGE 3
3.5 Installation of a grassed infield will require a significant increase in the level of
maintenance required at this facility. The sand surface areas ofthe infield must
be raked manually because oftheir size and the tight confines of the granular area.
The grassed infield must also be cut using smaller mowers, which require
additional manual labour. Leveling and rolling ofthe grass manually is required
on a constant basis to ensure a consistently smooth and even playing surface. The
equivalent of a full time groundskeeper is required to provide optimum
maintenance.
4.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 The request to grass the infield at the Soper Creek Park baseball diamond has
been reviewed in consideration of the costs and cost benefits ofthis park
improvement. Although this park improvement would enhance the quality of
play, the capital costs and the annual maintenance costs to achieve this
enhancement would be significant and difficult to justify. In the past, there have
been other park improvements and park construction projects that have a higher
priority that, due to a lack of funding, have been deferred.
It is therefore recommended that the request to install a grass infield at the Soper
Creek Park ball diamond be denied.
Respectfully submitted,
Reviewed by,
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Stephen A. Vokes, P. Eng.
Director of Public Works
O~~G.X-
Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
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19/05/99
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DRAWN BY: J.R.M
DATE: JUNE 1999
REPORT WD-32-99
ATTACHMENT NO.1
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