$7M pitch for West Park rebuild not exactly a home run for user groups

YorkRegion.com
June 13, 2017
Heidi Riedner

A $7-million pitch by town staff to fix West Park is still in the air, but its ball diamonds will remain at their current location versus being added to the Multi Use Recreation Complex (MURC) site.

The decision, however, isn't necessarily a home run for some user groups.

Council stopped short of endorsing the rebuild, but did decide in favour of leaving the diamonds at their current site after a staff report tabled May 31 recommended a total rebuild of West Park supported by the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) and ball user groups.

The decision stemmed from discussions over whether moving the West Park ball diamonds, which are in need of extensive rehabilitation due to historic flooding and drainage issues, should be added to the proposed MURC’s overall footprint.

Since most of the park is in a flood plain and includes wetlands that are both under the jurisdiction of the LSRCA, a $15,000 design concept and topographical study was floated by the LSRCA as a result to help inform the process.

Rebuilding at an estimated cost between $7- and $8-million, versus band-aid repairs or minor renovation with some grading and drainage work pegged at $3 million and $5 million, respectively, will correct the problematic site drainage issues, mitigate the annual operating costs associated with standing water and soil settlement and heaving, and solidify programming expectations for user groups, according to the report.

The Georgina Minor Baseball Association supports the rebuild of West Park, but not in place of new baseball diamonds being built at the MURC.

"This town is in desperate need of additional diamonds, and it has been made very clear by our association to the town that a rebuild of the diamonds we currently have available is not enough," GMBA president Doug Waldron said. "To support the growth of youth baseball and still provide recreational baseball to adults in Georgina, additional diamonds are required."

Ball registration has doubled in the past few years, with a ballpark 2,500 youth signing up for Georgina's minor softball and baseball associations this year, while soccer registration has reached a plateau, according to the town's director of recreation and culture.

Last year, there was an 8 per cent boost in baseball registrations right across the country, according to the executive director of Baseball Canada.

Increased participation levels has resulted in a lack of places to play for many clubs. In addition, some diamonds were repurposed in the 2000s as other sports such as soccer overtook baseball in terms of popularity.

Whatever rehabilitation is ultimately chosen during 2018 budget deliberations, regional Coun. Naomi Davison said West Park is a "substandard facility," and leaving it that way is "not acceptable."

A design and grading concept prepared by Cosburn Giberson Landscape Architects involves bringing the entire park up to The ROC field equivalent standard including a full drainage/grading plan, reconfiguration of four lit ball diamonds, improvements to the soccer area (sports field), adding a washroom facility, a playground structure, shelters, multi-use courts, trails and parking lots.

Potential grants, tax levy contribution and/or long-term debt would be necessary to fund the project.