Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPWD-001-22Clarington Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: January 10, 2022 Report Number: PWD-001-22 Submitted By: Stephen Brake, Director of Public Works Reviewed By: File Number: Andrew C. Allison, CAO Report Subject: Clarington Cricket Pitch Recommendations: Resolution#: GG-007-22 By-law Number: 1. That Report PWD-001-22 and any related communication items, be received; 2. That Council consider the following three options regarding the establishment of a Cricket Pitch in Clarington and that further direction be provided to Staff: a. That staff continue to monitor the demand for a regulation Cricket facility as outlined in Clarington's approved 2019 Outdoor Recreation Needs Assessment (ORNA) and that work begin with the development community to identify a parcel of land of suitable area for the inclusion of a dedicated facility in the future; or b. That staff work with Mr. Yasi Majid and Dr. Naveed Tariq on the establishment of a Cricket Pitch overlay on the previously identified Municipal soccer field at Rickard Neighbourhood Park in Newcastle; or c. That Staff coordinate the development of an agreement with one of the School Boards in Courtice to establish a Cricket Pitch overlay on one of their existing sports fields; and 3. That all interested parties listed in Report PWD-001-22 and any delegations be advised of Council's decision. Municipality of Clarington Report PWD-001-22 Report Overview Page 2 This report addresses Council Resolution #GG-439-21 that directed Staff to report back on the options for Cricket Grounds in Clarington and to consult with our community partners including school boards. It provides Council with three options respecting the short-term and long-term establishment of a cricket pitch in the Municipality and the associated costs. Staff request further direction from Council on the initiative. 1. Background 1.1 At the regular General Government Committee meeting held on September 27, 2021, Mr. Yasi Majid and Dr. Naveed Tariq appeared as a delegation. Their presentation to Council requested assistance in locating an area, specifically within Courtice, where a cricket ground could be established. 1.2 Prior to the delegation, an informal request was also made by Mr. Yasid Majid and Dr. Naveed Tariq for the use of a sports field for cricket play through Councillor Anderson. At that time, Staff reviewed all sports fields in Clarington and identified the availability of the soccer field in Rickard Neighbourhood Park in Newcastle where Cricket could be programmed. 1.3 In response to the delegation, Council passed Resolution #GG-439-21 that referred the matter to Staff to report back on the options for cricket grounds in Clarington and to consult with our community partners including school boards. 2. Discussion 2.1 The approved 2019 Outdoor Recreation Needs Assessment study reports a current 1 % demand for Cricket in Clarington and recommends monitoring the level of interest until it reaches a point that would require the provision of such facilities. Prior to committing space and funds for a permanent dedicated cricket ground, the report also recommended that a provisional cricket pitch in the form of an overlay with a soccer field be implemented to maximize flexibility, test demand and reduce costs. 2.2 Staff reviewed several dedicated Cricket facilities within the GTA and observed that the size of playing field varies, ranging from 120 metres to 150 metres in diameter or an oblong shape. As there is no set standard Cricket Pitch size, staff utilized a 120 metre diameter model to analyze the facility fit at various existing sports fields. 2.3 Candidate locations within the Municipality included Rickard Neighbourhood Park, Bowmanville Indoor Soccer Fields, Baseline Park, Westside Park and the School Board properties at Holy Trinity and Mother Teresa Catholic Schools. Other Municipal sports Municipality of Clarington Report PWD-001-22 Page 3 field locations such as the South Courtice and Darlington Lower Hydro Soccer fields were also reviewed but due to the extensive amount of soccer club league play on these facilities, timeslots would not be available for Cricket. 2.4 All of the existing sports field locations that were identified and reviewed for this initiative lack sufficient space to fit the smaller cricket pitch size of 120 metre diameter. Please refer to Attachment 1 for an example of a typical overlay Soccer Field and Cricket pitch footprint. 2.5 Ultimately, a dedicated combination Cricket and Soccer facility would require a parcel of land at least 2.5 hectares in area and the construction cost of the playing field would be approximately $500,000, in addition to the land acquisition value of the site. The additional cost of an overlay system for Cricket consisting of a regulation artificial turf pitch mat, storage bin, stumps, crease marker and turf cart would be approximately $20,000. 2.6 As an interim measure, staff continue to support the use of the existing soccer field at Rickard Community Park in Newcastle as an overlay Cricket facility. The park location is relatively new with a good amount of off-street parking. At this time, the extent of programmed soccer on the field is limited so Cricket play could be booked regularly. 2.7 Consultation has also occurred with the facility staff of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic school boards, who have responded favourably to the concept of using a school facility for Cricket play, however several conditions would need to be met, which include: a. Cricket play would only be permitted on a non -irrigated field as there are concerns about potential damage to underground irrigation lines and fixtures. b. Use of the facility would need to be temporary and not interfere with school activities. Preference was to limit access to summertime and weekend uses. c. No permanent physical alterations to the field would be allowed. d. Close cropping the grassed surface of the pitch portion of the field would damage the surface and lead to muddy conditions when students return and use the facility. 2.8 The Municipality would have to enter into an agreement with the school board for the use of their facility and define responsibilities for on -going maintenance, etc. 3. Concurrence Not Applicable. Municipality of Clarington Report PWD-001-22 4. Conclusion Page 4 It is respectfully recommended that Council consider the three options that have been presented for the establishment of a Cricket Pitch in Clarington. Further direction on the matter is required by Staff. Staff Contact: Andrew Johnson, Landscape Architect, 905-623-3379 ext. 2307 or ajohnson@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 — Typical sports field cricket pitch overlay Attachment 2 — Property size requirement for a dedicated facility Interested Parties: Yasir Majid Naveed Tariq Attachment 1 to Report PWD-001-22 Property Search Map W UNbUm I SITE PLAN GadOgtOR PROJECT: CRICKET PITCH FACILITY FIT ALALYSIS DRAWING: HOLY TRINITY SCHOOL DRAWN BY: CHECKED BY: PROJECT i AJ j DESIGNED BY: APPROVED BY DRAWING No, SCALE: AJ DATE: S K 1 AS SHOWN NOV 2021 Attachment 2 to Report PWD-001-22 SITE AREA 2.5 HECTARES CjaFftMI7 \ \ _Om LBUFFER / / / PROJECT: -in- SETRA K STREET `A' SITE PLAN CRICKET PITCH STUDY REDRAWIN 6UIRED PLAY AREA FOR DEDICATED FACILITY DRAWN BY: CHECKED BY: PROJECT AJ DESIGNED BY: AJ APPROVED BY DRAWING No. S K2 SCALE: DATE: AS SHOWN NOV 2021