Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS-41-92 .,/" THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT Date: DECEMBER 7, 1992 CS-41-92 File #: File # ROh", \ Q~ ~ Gr~ (l nn -, co (/' Res.#~'10 By-Law # Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE Report #: Subject: NATURAL OUTDOOR ICE RINKS Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend forthwith the following: 1. THAT Report No. CS-41-92 be received; 2. THAT the program as outlined in this report be approved; and 3. THAT the volunteers all be thanked for their contribution and advised of action taken by Council. 1.0 BACKGROUND: 1.1 On November 26, 1991 staff were directed by Council to bring forth a report dealing with the feasibility of Natural Outdoor Ice Rinks. FOllowing submission of Report No. CS-03-92 (Attachment #1) to the January 6, 1992 General Purpose and Administration Meeting, the following resolution carried, "that staff contact various groups in preparation for the 1993 ice skating season to determine if there are volunteers willing to come forward and assist in the preparation and maintenance of outdoor skating rinks." 2.0 ACTION TAKEN: 2.1 In response to Council's direction, staff forwarded an invitation to various community groups (Attachment #2) seeking their participation in the formation of volunteer committees to maintain outdoor rinks. No response was received. .. /2 900\ rlfCYClEDt':\ PAPIER PAPER~~ECYCLE TH~ IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER REPORT NO. CS-41-92 - 2 - DECEMBER 7, 1992 2.2 In August and September several advertisements were inserted in local newspapers (Attachment #3) seeking volunteers for the program. Subsequently, several editorials appeared in local newspapers which resulted in a response from individuals volunteering their services. 3.0 VOLUNTEERS: 3.1 To date, twenty-one (21) volunteers have, offered their services, primarily from three (3) communities. Additional interest from new volunteers is being shown. The distribution of residents and their areas of interest are: Court ice Area George Reynolds Drive, Courtice Glen Abbey Drive, Courtice Poolton Cres., Courtice Stuart Road, Courtice Sandringham Drive, Courtice Kintyre Street, Courtice Bowmanville Area Lawrence Cres., Bowmanville Martin Road, Bowmanville Rosalyn Ave., Bowmanville King Street West, Bowmanville Burketon Area Darlington Street, Burketon Darlington Street, Burketon Darlington Street, Burketon Old Scugog Road, Burketon Old Scugog Road, Burketon Mary Street, Burketon other Remi Court, Newcastle Village Bradley Blvd., Mitchell's Corners R. R. #1, Newtonville Wesley Drive, Oshawa st. Andrews Court, Oshawa .. /3 902 REPORT NO. CS-41-92 - 3 - DECEMBER 7, 1992 3.2 For each ice pad ten (10) to twelve (12) volunteers are recommended to sustain an active committee, however, initially we propose the three committees proceed, in anticipation that additional volunteers will be found. 4.0 LOCATIONS: 4.1 It is proposed that a natural ice rink be developed on the ball diamond infield of Stuart Park, within the Court ice Urban Area. The Principal of the Adjacent Dr. Emily Stowe Public School supports the initiative and has offered use of school water. The site has good visibility to surrounding homes and close access to the school parking lot. 4.2 An opportunity exists to locate a natural ice rink at Waverley Park in Bowmanville. Similarly, the Principal of Waverley Public School has indicated his support of the program and has also offered use of water from the school. It is recommended that the rink be located on the park ball diamond infield. The site has good visibility to the street with parking available at the school. 4.3 The Burketon citizens have for several years on their own initiative cleared an area for skating in Burketon Park which naturally flooded and froze in late winter. Water is not available to this site and in order to have a rink for the full winter it is necessary to have water delivered. The community has poled interested citizens who have made a commitment to purchase the water and wish to proceed with the rink. 5.0 RINK CONSTRUCTION: 5.1 In our previous report the problem of unreliable weather was identified. In other municipalities repeated mild spells has prevented or limited the skating opportunities. To maximize the length of skating season and to prevent loss of water .. /4 903 REPORT NO. CS-41-92 - 4 - DECEMBER 7, 1992 to the rink during mild weather staff propose that the rink be contained within a 6 x 6 inch timber frame, 50 feet by 100 feet and lined with heavy plastic. 5.2 The cost for materials for the three rinks W9uld be; 55 timbers (6" x 6" x 16') at $2.25 per foot $2,000 3 rolls of 6 mill plastic (50' x 110') x $530./roll $1,600 1,800 feet of protective facer board $ 400 Other materials $ 100 TOTAL INCLUSIVE OF G.S.T. $4.100 5.3 Staff will assist by ordering and installing the timbers, lay the plastic and install the protective facer boards over the plastic edges. Weather permitting, this would be done prior to Christmas. At the end of the season, staff will retrieve and store the timber and facer boards. The plastic would be renewed each year as an ongoing cost should the program be extended. In addition, the Town will install a sign at each site outlining rules of use agreed to by each Committee. 5.4 It will be the responsibility of each group to organize, schedule work, secure hoses, obtain additional volunteers and develop a working relationship with the school staff. Community Services Department staff have met with the volunteers on two occasions to listen to their ideas and needs to encourage them and to advise them of the assistance available from the Department. The three committees have indicated their willingness to accept the conditions and undertake the program. 6.0 SUMMARY: 6.1 We have assisted the groups to the limit of our resources. The success of the program will depend upon the weather, the dedication of the volunteers, and the interest within the community to come forward and offer their assistance. 6.2 The cost to the Municipality for other than staff time is $4,100.00 in capital expenditures, which can be accommodated .. 15 904 ATTACHMENT NO. 1 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File # Res. # By-Law # Date: JANUARY 6, 1992 Report -it: - . - CS~Oi:':'_92'File'#: - '. Subject: NATURAL OUTDOOR ICE RINKS Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and AdministrationCommi ttee recommend to Council the following:- 1. THAT Report No. CS-03-92 be received for information. 1.0 BACKGROUND: 1.1 At the November 26, 1991 Meeting of council, Resolution GPA - 698-91 was approved requesting staff to examlne the feasibility of man made skating rinks In some of the Town's parks. 2.0 COMMUNITY SURVEY: 2.1 An informal telephone survey was undertaken to determine what type of natural ice programs were provided in our neighbouring communities of Pickering, Ajax, Whitby:and Oshawa. 2.2 Pickering advises they have two natural outdoor rinks planned for this winter. Claremont, a northern community within pickering has had a rink the past two seasons built on a 50 by 75 foot paved pad. A second rink will be undertaken this season for the first time at a public school in pickering. In both cases the rinks are push back rinks with banked snow which are ploughed and flooded by Town staff. Water is applied by use of two 1000 gallon water trucks. Staff have stated that because of the uncertain weather conditions that if a mild period is experienced causing a loss of ice, they . . /2 906 REPORT NO. CS-41-92 - 5 - DECEMBER 7, 1992 wi thin the Park's Division existing budget as many of the materials are currently in our working stock. 6.3 Following completion of the 1992-93 winter season, staff will bring forward an evaluation of the program and a recommendation on its continuation. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee, 1 -&, <<tat'" Lawrence E. K t eff, Chief Admini t Officer "'------ 7J..iA:'~ Jose h P. Caruana, Director D~rtment of Community services JPC:JDC:sa 905 o. REPORT NO. CS-03-92 - 2 - JANUARY 6, 1992 will halt all further work. Costs are part of their entire winter maintenance budget and can not be readily identified. They stated that they wil~ spend no more than $2,000 on the 0_ rink.: in claremont and $l,OOO.f.or. the other.o Th~ stpt;isti<;s taken by them in recent years indicates that on average they obtain 10 days of skating per season. 2.3 Ajax has in years past had up to 11 natural outdoor ice rinks however, most recently only 3 rinks were constructed. Each fall the Town advertises to identify interested volunteers who are prepared to donate their time and labour to create and maintain push back ice rinks for their neighbourhood. ~he Town provides 8 inch high boards installed on ball diamond infields to create' a rink of approximately 50 by 100 feet. Garden hoses are supplied by the Town to the groups who store the hoses at and obtain water from a local school. The Town ploughs the rink when the snowfall is in excess of 2" and after other winter responsibilities are fulfilled. Lights are not available and therefore no promoted or supervised skating occurs after dark. The community group is responsible to police the rink and are only able to flood and clean the ,ice when school staff are present to provide access to the building. Ajax staff stated that on average about 10 days of skating' occurs per rink per year. Ajax stated that the support provided the volunteer group was spread through several budgets and could not be specifically identified. They believed they had a fixed cost of $2,000 per rink and $500 to $1,500 per annum additional per rink for snow removal depending on the season. 2.4 Whitby has not provided natural outdoor lee rinks for the past 5 years and the last one provided was in Brooklin. Atthat time the push back rink was flooded and cleared of snow by the Town by means of a 1000 gal. water tank on a truck and a 9D7 . . /3 REPORT NO. CS-03-92 - 3 - JANUARY 6, 1992 plough truck. At that time they had approximately 30 days of skating per season at the Brooklin rink. No costs have occurred recently. Oshawa has. ,in,' th,e, passed ,operated, a .numbe.r of, natural ice rinks. In three of their community parks large push back rinks were operated by the city. In those cases the 50 by 100 foot rinks were provided on lit ball diamond infields which made them available for night use. In 1987 it was determined that on average 15 20 days of skating was occurring subsequently the program was discontinued and has not been re-initiated. Elsewhere, they offer assistance to any. of its 24 community associations interested in providing local' natural ice rinks. The City provides hoses and boards to define the rink. Water is obtained from the park buildings or clubhouses and all work is performed by the associations with only occasional assistance from the city to remove heavy snows. Deteriorating weather conditions in recent years has seen the community groups 'actively involved in natural ice rinks reduced to one. Oshawa staff report that the Donovan Park artificial outdoor lce rink lS serviced by a 50 HP compressor and is able to maintain ice suitable for skating' about 40 days a year. Oshawa finances its natural ice rinks through its general winter maintenance program and precise figures of cost are not available. The three Towns provided rinks in the last year of operation cost approximately $10,000 total. The expenditures were limited by poor winter conditions and halted in mid season. The volunteer rink costs the Town approximately $1,500 per season. OBSERVATION: ,. 2.5 3.0 3.1 In consultation with these communities, staff all cited the lack of cold weather over the winter during the past ten years has led to a reduction or discontinuation of Town operated programmes and the declining interest of volunteer groups. .. /4 9 rJ 8 REPORT NO. CS-03-92 - 4 - JANUARY 6, 1992 other problems encountered were disputes between hockey users and pleasure skaters with ineffective means to police the rinks. Union agreements made no provision for rescheduling outqoor work ,to. the nightshift... Th~", wo~k required fO,r n.i9ht flooding was sporadic and insuff icient t.o fully engage a night'. crew. Close scrutiny during budget review could not justify the expense in view of the limited use. other comments were access to schools, park buildings and other water sources was difficult to coordinate or left the security of the building or water sources ln some doubt. Also, cooperation by the Public utilities. in using hydrants as a source of water was prOhibitive due to the cost to turn on and drain the fire hydrant. 4.0 DISCUSSION: 4.1 The Parks and Cemeteries Division of the Community Services Department has four unionized employees from October 15th to April 15th to perform burials; answer inquiries; provide vacation replacement for staff working in buildings; litter pick; empty garbage receptacles; repair ,benches, picnic tables and garbage receptacles; service playgrounds; repair worn turf areas; restore v'andalized areas; prepare budgets; administer contracts; plan for and order goods for the upcomlng year and repair and service all small equipment. Local 74 of the Canadian Union of Public Employees Outside Agreement provides for seasonal help from April 15th to October 15th only. Li ttle opportunity exists without negotiations to accept additional tasks utilizing seasonal employees. 4.2 The uncertainty of favourable weather conditions during the past decade or so necessitates that rink maintenance be done during the colder night hours when the maximum ice base may be developed. 4.3 Water source lS a controlling factor in the locating of any ice rink. It must be close to the source of water. Although . . /5 909 REPORT NO. CS-03-92 - 5 - JANUARY 6, 1992 fire hydrants are a ready source, expensive special equipment is required, training in use of fire hoses is needed and special winterizing must be performed after each use. The .Regional Works Department, are, prepared to, supe~yise .the use of the hydrant and winterize the hydrant for full remuneration. A second and preferred alternative is to galn access to a hose bib at a school or park building where hoses and snow clearing equipment may be thawed and stored. 4.4 Natural ice rink sites require a relatively level area of 50 by 100 feet and preferably on an area absent of grass such as pavement or ball diamond infield. This would allow the ground beneath to freeze thoroughly and rapidly allowing for a longer skating season. Grass hinders frost penetration and natural ice rinks if located on established grass will kill the turf resul ting in expensive annual repalrs. Asphalt areas used for rinks and without sufficient snow or lce cover will absorb winter sun heat on mild days limiting the skateable days. 5.0 RATIONAL: 5.1 The Town has insufficient resources to provide ice rinks ln house without serious affect upon other responsibilities or complying with direction to hold the line on expenditures during this time of severe restraint. The most practical option would be a volunteer provided natural ice rink program. Al though the Department has from time to time received suggestions or requests for natural ice rinks there has been no organized request or demand. This lS not to suggest however that with encouragement and some support that such groups could not be developed. 5.2 Volunteer groups have in past decades been used successfully throughout southern ontario to provide natural ice rinks for community use. Volunteers will stay active and perpetuate a program when they achieve their goals in a consistent manner. A few less than successful years will result in a loss of . . /6 910 REPORT NO. CS-03-92 - 6 - JANUARY 6, 1992 . , 5.3 5.4 5.5 6.0 6.1 In light of our weather conditions ' obstacle for which there is no interest for the program. this will be a serious solution. The ,cost of using the fire hydrants or performing the work using Durham Public Works staff is prohibitive. The Regional Public Works overtime rate for 1992 which includes administration and overhead costs is $26.17 for staff per hour and $7.84 for the service vehicle. A minimum callout of three hours would cost $102.03 per flooding. In order to build and maintain ice, rinks should be flooded almost nightly. The Town could however provide some assistance to any volunteer group willing to undertake the task. The form of that assistance could be the Department is prepared to work with the community to identify encourage and assist the volunteers in developing leadership and organization. The Department could advise the groups on proper care, safety and standards to maintain the ice. In cases of heavy snowfall the Department could through' its contractors after other responsibilities are satisfied, plough the rink surface. In addition the pepartment could through budget approval supply hoses and snow removal equipment and store them during the off season. staff could also assist in's~eking a school or hall board's assistance in providing a source of water and storage of equipment plus supply public liability insurance. A volunteer group would be responsible to organize itself, to approach the Town with a request for the above outlined assistance, to carry out all related work, to provide security for supplied equipment and to supervise and police the use of the rink. CONCLUSION: staff are unable to recommend a natural lee rink program ln . . 17 91.1 REPORT NO. CS-03-92 - 7 - JANUARY 6, 1992 vlew of the poor success experienced ln our neighbouring municipalities. Should. Council elect to proceed without a staff recommendation staff are prepared to assist and work with any viable volunteer group. Respectfully submitted, /l (-//YUu1/(_'~?-/L_- Joseph P. Caruana, Director Dep~tment of Community services JPC:JDC:sa Recommended for presentation to the Committee, Lawrence E. Kotseff, Chief Administrative Officer 912 ATTACHMENT NO. 2 "7 eWtastfe =-0 ONTARIO May 29, 1992 Dear community Leader: SUBJECT: NATURAL ICE RINKS The Community services Department is currently investigating the possibility of assisting local community associations and organizations in providing natural ice rinks within their community. considering the size of this Municipality, the natural ice rink project will require a co-ordinated effort between the Community services Department and a committed corporation of volunteers. If your organization or members of your organization are interested in pursuing this initiative, please submit in writinq a letter of interest and a list of members who would be willing to work co-operatively with the Community services Department. Thank you in advance for your interest and consideration. sincerely f)P1ltf / R.D.M.R., Recreation superintendent Department JJC:dm cc: Joseph P. Caruana, Director of Community services / James D. Cameron, Parks & Cemetery superintendent V C500 913 @ rnRPnRl1TlnN n~ THF TOWN OF NFWCASTLE 0., 0 * .. ~ * ~\ ~* ~. :J! db ._ ~ *, ~~ (]} . 0 NATURAL ICE RINKS The Town of Newcastle Community Services Department is investigating the feasibility of starting a natur;al ice rink program. The program would involve a partnership between the Community Services Department and members of the community. If you would be interested in volunteering your time to assist in the provision of natural ice rinks or would like additional infonnation,' please contact: James Cameron, Parks and Cemetery Superintendent Commun;ty6~~~9Departme~ 'ei ~ ~ ~- ~$ . @ Q ~ ~~\ . fIi-*@ ~. o II ~ ~~:~~ ~ ALL INTERESTED VOLUNTEERS SHOULD RESPOND BEFORE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 25.1992. 0Ei)/f!. (/llJI1/.;/!ifl Sill/ES/I7/fAI liE/riCA jiLE IA/u!?;:JE/J!J0Vi .~' (', (lDuK'ncC /Vch/..;> r-<' 0/201'/0 f/l./EEI::L L/ j; ;11c...) fTE6 orPUI3UCftt10N ~ Se:{1E"IVJ8~tf /6/ /C?q 2 /lU(~uST Z&J ;qq 2- . (1, 1 ~. I ATTACHMENT NO.3