Richmond Hill park, arena to see $27M ‘four seasons’ overhaul

David Hamilton Park and Ed Sackfield Arena will see expansion, new features

Yorkregion.com
May 5, 2016
By Kim Zarzour

Construction is expected to begin in 2017 on a new recreation destination in southeast Richmond Hill.

David Hamilton Park and the Ed Sackfield Arena, near Leslie Street and 16th Avenue, are poised for a major overhaul and expansion.

At this week’s committee of the whole, councillors approved master plan and schematic designs for the $27-million project and if it gets final approval Monday, the new facilities are expected to be complete in the fall of 2018.

The revitalized park will feature a splash pad, multi-use court and outdoor fitness equipment.

A second ice pad will be attached to the existing arena, along with a larger fitness centre and indoor walking track.

“As an association representing 4,000 to 5,000 supporters, we commend town staff,” said Dean Artenozi, a board member with the Richmond Hill Hockey Association. “We are very, very excited and very proud of what’s been accomplished here.”

Artenozi said Richmond Hill families have been struggling with a lack of ice time and are forced to travel to facilities in places such as Vaughan and York University. The new arena will help alleviate that pressure, he said.

The rink twinning project, to cost an estimated $20,651,400, will include an additional barrier-free washroom in the existing arena, construction of a drop-off covered walkway and will meet the silver standard for LEED (a green building certification program).

Councillors voted Monday to authorize staff to proceed to the design development and detail design phases.

The refurbished park, located on 10.4 hectacres off Valleymede Drive, will have a “four seasons” design theme.

The park will be 30 years old in 2017 and was deemed a priority for renewal, staff said.

A lengthy development process included public consultation via a web-based survey, a public meeting last October, a presentation to council and online opportunities to comment. Sports groups, associations and clubs that use the facilities were also consulted.

A public survey was posted on the town’s website in May 2015 and notices advising of the survey were sent to more than 1,200 residents in the neighbourhood. Signs throughout the park let the community know how to express opinions on future plans.

The final draft of the master plan - with an estimated construction cost of $6.2 million - includes:

• Addition of a multi-use court and a splash pad. The court will have a coloured acrylic surface and provide users with a variety of opportunities including footsal, basketball and hockey;
• Re-use of splash pad water to irrigate the sports fields and possibly other turf areas in the park;
• Retrofit of the existing softball, hardball and soccer fields on site to include irrigation and drainage, as well as upgrading of the ball diamond layouts;
• Replacement of the existing playgrounds with relocation of the north playground to provide a more interactive relationship between indoor arena spaces and outdoor park space;
• Retention of the tennis court facility with replacement of perimeter fencing and an expansion to the apron around the playing surface;
• Enhancement of pedestrian connectivity through the park including a prominent north-south “spine” to link facilities, and creation of a walking/jogging loop in the west area of the park;
• A new outdoor fitness area located near the walking/running loop;
• Two outdoor table tennis stations will be located between the main walkway and the oval walking loop, bordered by shade trees for relief from the sun on hot summer days. Users will be required to bring their own balls and paddles; and
• Planting of new trees shrubs and perennials throughout the entire park.

There will be no change necessary to the number of parking spaces existing on the site, the staff report said.

The “four seasons” theme will be illustrated with strategic use of materials, colours, poetry, words and fragrances from plant materials.

The new arena pad will be south of the existing building and will be accessed primarily through the main entrance of the existing building.

A secondary entrance is proposed along the building’s north facade providing direct connection to the proposed water splash pad, playground and plaza.