Newmarket takes step forward on artificial turf field

YorkRegion.com
April 2, 2015
Chris Simon

A multi-million-dollar artificial sports turf field is a little closer to reality.

Newmarket council has authorized staff to develop a construction and operation cost-sharing agreement with the York Region District School Board.

A report on the matter will be presented to councillors in mid-April, however, it appears the project will carry a construction price tag of about $2 million, with each partner pitching in 50 per cent of the cost. The project would likely include the field and an accompanying change room and storage building.

Any draft deal reached will be brought back to council for final approval.

The field will likely be built at Dr. J. M. Denison Secondary School and funding has been proposed in the town’s draft 2015 capital budget.

If the project moves forward, it would do so outside of the scope of the ongoing Recreation Playbook master plan process. That long-term strategic document should be presented to council within months. The town has delayed other recreational projects with the playbook under development, and should do the same in this instance, Councillor Tom Vegh said.

“I’m not sure this is a priority for the town,” he said, during a town committee debate on the issue last week. “In talking to parents, I’m hearing other things; it hasn’t been identified as a priority. We have our study coming forward.

“I’m worried we’re leading the board down a false path. I’m not convinced that’s the right direction to go.”

Town staff suggested there’s a risk in asking the board to wait because its ability to fund the project may change in a few months.

“This is an opportunity that may or may not exist a year from now,” town recreation and culture director Colin Service said. “We’re trying to capitalize on the opportunity to do construction this year, so it’s operational for 2016. The way their funding works, they may not know years in advance.… To get an indication of how long the offer’s on the table is a bit of a challenge.”

Dave Hanson, president of the Newmarket Soccer Club, pushed for the project to proceed. He said the facility would be well used by soccer, field lacrosse and football players.

“The need for a turf field has been well documented. The less-than-flattering comparison with other municipalities, who have at least one such field, is well known,” he said. “This provides a quick way to deliver a major asset. (The club) will be one of many user groups prepared to rent the facility when it opens.”

Councillor Dave Kerwin agreed, comparing some Newmarket soccer pitches to “dirt patches” and stressing the need for a quality playing surface in town.

“It’s a fact-finding mission. We’ve had many ongoing partnerships with the board,” he said. “These (cost sharing) partnerships are the way to go. Artificial turf is the way to go. It’s relatively low maintenance and you can start the season early and continue it later. It gives our youngsters and adults a place to train and qualify for sports scholarships.”

However, construction approval would be premature, Councillor Christina Bisanz said.

“I concur with the concern around making a decision before we really have a fulsome discussion on our other strategic priorities,” she said. “We don’t understand the degree to which it may be used by other organizations. I’d like to understand better what the school board’s plan is. If we don’t do this, are they going to take this offer to another municipality?”