HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-008 - Ball Diamond Improvements Update
REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 6, 2017
SUBMITTED BY: Denise McGoldrick, Director, Operations – Environmental
Services (741-2600 x4657)
PREPARED BY: Mark Parris, Landscape Architect (741-2600 x4397)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 4, 10
DATE OF REPORT: February 23, 2017
REPORT NO.: INS-17-008
SUBJECT:Ball Diamond Improvements Update
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the four ball diamonds and one blast ball diamond located in Upper Canada
Park be realigned with upgraded playing fields, back stops, irrigation and
infrastructure for future lights; and
That lights be installed at two ball diamonds in Breithaupt Park to address the
immediate need for ball diamond inventory and to begin to close the gap between
demand and availability of diamond inventory as part of a longer-term, city-wide
ball diamond inventory management strategy.
BACKGROUND:
The Upper Canada Park Master Plan was completed in 2015 and took a comprehensive
look at how to complete necessary upgrades to aging recreational infrastructure while
addressing community needs for the surrounding park space in an efficient and cost
effective manner. Appendix B provides a summary of the master plan recommendations
and estimated costs.
Through the design process for the master plan implementation, detailed cost estimates
(class “b”) were completed and identified that the sportsfield elements could not be
completed within the approved budget. The higher costs were primarily due to lighting
costs, impact of floodplain requirements (cut/fill balance for grading) and AODA
requirements to include the pedestrian pathways around the sportsfields.
On July 7, 2016 an update was provided to council identifying that as a result of the
higher costs, the project was paused to allow time to re-evaluate the approach for
Upper Canada Park redevelopment to ensure that any scope changes would minimize
impacts to users and meet the overall goals of the project.
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The pause allowed an opportunity to re-evaluate short-term and medium-term ball
diamond needs to ensure the most cost effective investments were being made to meet
user needs. In particular, the following variables required consideration:
1. Baseball growth – a significant increase in baseball demand at the beginner and
youth age categories for 2016 identified a need to reassess diamond needs and
future baseball growth projections;
2. Other baseball diamond opportunities – staff are exploring and evaluating
potential partnership opportunities with an emphasis on broader community field
inventory opportunities between Kitchener and Waterloo and the school boards;
3. Other baseball diamond changes - future potential for losing diamond inventory
due to converting lands currently used for recreational use to employment lands
or other community uses.
REPORT:
The purpose of this report is to provide an update on the Upper Canada Park project
and make recommendations that will guide ball diamond infrastructure investments in
the short and medium term.
A diamond user study was conducted to make recommendations on how to meet the
short-term needs of ball diamond users. The study reviewed Kitchener’s existing ball
diamond inventory, analyzed past and present booking tendencies, collated data from
an information and input session (9 of the 14 diamond user groups were represented)
and made recommendations for ball diamonds in Kitchener for the next 5 years with an
awareness of the trends within diamond sports. In addition, the City of Waterloo was
engaged through the study to share insight on their current baseball diamond supply,
diamond use, trends in use, growth of sport, service efficiency and diamond needs.
Diamond User Study Results
In 2016, nearly 13,600 hours were rented across the permitted diamond supply taking in
over 300 new ball players. The bookings on the A1 and A2 diamonds are maximized
resulting in growth of B1 and S2 diamonds. This represents substantial growth of nearly
1,300 rental hours compared to the previous season (+10%) driven largely by
increasing demand for B1 diamonds (19%) and S2 school diamonds (31%). Refer to
figure 1 for visual analysis of diamond rentals by classification from 2012 to 2016.
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Figure 1: Ball Diamond Rentals by Classification, 2012-2016
Baseball Ontario reported a growth in the sport of 15% in 2015, compared to 2004.
Kitchener Minor Baseball Association has reported a 34% growth in their organization
since the 2013 Leisure Facility Master Plan Update demonstrating a need specifically
for hardball diamonds.
Based on the user demand analysis the city requires an additional 1.5 diamonds. If
trends remain consistent there could be a need for an additional 6 fields by 2021 which
could be addressed by building new diamonds or lighting existing diamonds.
Opportunities for Increasing Inventory
The goal of increasing diamond inventory is to provide the greatest yield of inventory for
the lowest cost. The most cost effective method of increasing inventory is gained by
reviewing allocation policies to ensure the diamonds are booked to maximize the
bookable hours. Upgrading and optimizing existing diamonds are another opportunity
to increase inventory. By lighting one diamond the inventory could increase by 0.5
diamonds. The most expensive option to increase inventory would be to build new fields
either in existing parkland or acquiring additional lands to accommodate new fields
which could range from $1M to $3M.
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Diamond User Study Recommendations
Three recommendations from the diamond user study will aim to assist the city in
meeting the immediate needs for diamond capacity. Recommendations are shown
below in order of implementation:
Recommendation 1 – Diamond Time Allocation Review
A diamond allocation review will create efficiencies and potential inventory gain. The
analysis of data obtained during the study suggests there is opportunity for certain
existing diamonds to be scheduled in a manner that allows at least one extra rental
opportunity to take place. An example of a potential change could be to shift some
start times from 6:30pm to 6:00pm, thereby creating an additional booking time
following this scheduled event. It is estimated that implementation of these
efficiencies could provide the equivalent of 0.5 diamonds to the City’s inventory. It is
recommended that allocation changes will start to be implemented in 2017.
Recommendation 2 – Add Lights to Two Ball Diamonds at Breithaupt Park
Through the study it was evident there is minimal opportunity for access to A1 and
A2 ball diamonds. The most cost effective way to address diamond shortage issues
and add capacity to the city’s inventory, aside from allocation changes, is through
lighting existing diamonds. The Breithaupt Park ball diamonds were selected for
immediate lighting upgrades for the following reasons:
These A1 ball diamonds are considered to be the highest quality diamonds
for this level of play in the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo. The
features of these diamonds include ideal field dimensions, irrigated and
skinned infields, and the supporting infrastructure from the Breithaupt
Community Centre and parking lot.
The Breithaupt diamonds are recommended as they are the only existing
diamonds with irrigated and skinned infields. Lions Park and Jack Couch Park
are already lit.
Lighting the diamonds will immediately alleviate the pressure of reported
growth in both Baseball Ontario and Kitchener Minor Baseball Association,
described earlier in this report and both of which are the primary user groups
of the Breithaupt hardball diamonds.
The City has previous experience of lighting existing fields in residential
neighbourhoods. Staff were able to address and mitigate neighbourhood concerns
when lights were added at Woodside. Staff are committed to meeting and working
with the Breithaupt Park neighbours to mitigate and address concerns.
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Recommendation 3 – Realign the 4 Ball Diamonds and 1 Blast Ball Diamond at
Upper Canada Park with upgraded playing fields, back stops, irrigation and
infrastructure for future lights
Reconfiguring and optimizing the 4 underutilized diamonds and 1 blast ball diamond
at Upper Canada Park will allow the city to address aging infrastructure, correct
playing field dimension and realign the diamonds for implementation of irrigation and
future lighting. Two critical changes from the 2015 Master Plan are:
The substitution of one skinned infield diamond with a multi-purpose
diamond, creating four (4) multi-use diamonds within Upper Canada Park;
Deferral of the light standards and lights.
Diamond infrastructure, including drainage, irrigation, fencing, dugouts etc. and
pedestrian pathways will continue as planned.
This change in scope will ensure better scheduling and programming to meet the
current diamond user demand. The lighting of Breithaupt Park diamonds will meet
the user diamond demand for skinned infields.
The lighting infrastructure will be “roughed-in” during the diamond renovations
alleviate future costs and disruption to the diamonds. The exact timeline of lighting
will be subject to user diamond demand and future capital budgeting.
SUMMARY:
Maximizing the efficiencies of current ball diamond inventory, through allocation policies
and lighting existing diamonds will increase the inventory while minimizing the impacts
and costs associated with acquiring more land. These changes will create operating
efficiencies by extending play at fewer locations resulting in reductions in staffing and
volunteers (e.g. reducing city staff time for prepping fewer diamonds for play).
In time all existing or future diamonds will look to be lit to maximize their utilization for
greatest efficiency of city land and resources. In order to select the optimal location for
the immediate and short-term needs while also contributing to the medium-term
inventory objectives, all “A” level diamonds were considered first (full list shown in
Appendix C).
The re-scoped diamond improvements planned for Upper Canada Park and inclusion of
Breithaupt Park diamond lighting will address the short-term needs of the diamond
users, contribute to medium-term ball diamond inventory as staff continues to analyse
future diamond user growth and demand.
The recommendations represent the most cost-effective increase in ball diamond
inventory within the existing capital budget.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The development of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan coincides with the community
vision, “Together, we will build an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitchener with safe and
thriving neighbourhoods” by providing valued services to residents of our community by
enhancing their “Quality of Life” through re-investment in existing leisure facilities.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Estimated costs to fund the Ball Diamonds Improvement Plan are identified in Table 1
below:
Table 1: Projected Project Costs and Net Surplus/Deficit
Upper Canada Breithaupt Park TOTAL
Park (Priority 1 – Lighting
Sportsfields)
Project Costs $1,553,000* $580,000 $2,133,000
*The Upper Canada Park sportsfields development costs were required to be re-scoped
to meet the available budget. $1,500,000 was allocated to the development of the
sportsfields, however in order to include infrastructure and budget requirements that are
necessary by regulation (e.g. accessible pathways, flood capacity requirements) and
provide project contingencies the total re-scoped project costs are estimated to be
$1,553,000.
Table 2: Capital Funding Allocation
2017 20182019TOTAL
BalanceBudgetBudget
District Park Development $1,606,000 $261,000 $266,000 $2,133,000
General Provision
To complete the goals of the Upper Canada Park Master Plan and diamond user study
recommendations, no new funding is being requested to complete the
recommendations of this report. Staff are proposing to utilize the existing District Park
Development General Provision Funding balance, including 2017, 2018 and 2019
budget. Future lighting will be addressed either through future capital budget planning or
when other funding or grant opportunities are available.
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There are no recommended changes to Priority 2A of Upper Canada Park (including the
skatepark, basketball courts, playground improvements, pedestrian pathways and multi-
use pathway improvements), which will continue to be funded with previously approved
capital funding.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM A copy of this report will be posted to the City’s Council agenda webpage;
The Breithaupt Neighbourhood has been circulated notice of this report
as well as the opportunity to discuss initial issues with staff at the
Breithaupt Community Centre.
CONSULT Information and input sessions were held with internal staff, minor and
adult diamond user groups to inform the demand analysis and
recommendations of this report;
Staff will continue to work with the Breithaupt neighbourhood to mitigate
any concerns identified.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Cynthia Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure
Services
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APPENDIX A: Aerial Image and Context of Breithaupt Park
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APPENDIX B: Upper Canada Park Master Plan Background
To aid in understanding past Upper Canada related reports, the following priorities were
determined through the master plan phase along with associated budgets:
Priority 1: Sportsfields and Supporting Infrastructure – Master Plan Cost Estimate
$2,375,000
Realignment of sportsfields and related infrastructure improvements (lighting,
irrigation, etc);
Parking lot improvements;
Pedestrian pathways around/between fields;
Maintenance compound.
Priority 2A: Park Amenities – Master Plan Cost Estimate $980,000
Skatepark, basketball courts, playground improvements, pedestrian pathways,
multi-use pathway improvements;
Priority 2B: Park Amenities – Master Plan Cost Estimate $630,000
Washroom facility, final parking lot upgrades.
Priority 3: Future Improvements – Master Plan Cost Estimate $530,000
Pedestrian bridge to community centre, splashpad (if splashpad is unable to be
accommodated for at the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre)
On September 21, 2015, Council approved the Master Plan and project priorities
identified (INS-15-014). Also on September 21, 2015, Council approved a reduced
scope for the sportsfields from $2.4M to $1.5M with the removal of the parking lot
improvements, maintenance compound and pedestrian pathways around/between fields
(INS-15-057). The $900,000 reduction was re-allocated for future Grand River Park
development. All Master Plan cost estimates were class “c” level.
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APPENDIX C: Current Diamond Inventory Schedule
Diamond Name CategoryLights Irrigation Infield Surface
Breithaupt Park #1 A No Yes Clay Skinned
Breithaupt Park #2 A No Yes Clay Skinned
Breithaupt Park #3 A No Yes Stonedust
Bridgeport Sportsfields Joe A Yes Yes Clay Only
Thompson
Budd Park Diamond #1 A Yes Yes Clay Only
Budd Park Diamond #2 A Yes Yes Clay Only
KMAC Jack Couch Diamond A Yes Yes Clay Skinned
Lions Sportsfields Diamond #2 A Yes Yes Clay Skinned
Peter Hallman Ball Yard Diamond #1 A Yes Yes Clay Only
Peter Hallman Ball Yard Diamond #2 A Yes Yes Stonedust
Peter Hallman Ball Yard Diamond #3 A Yes Yes Clay Only
Rosenberg Park Diamond #1 A Yes Yes Stonedust
Rosenberg Park Diamond #2 A Yes Yes Stonedust
Bridgeport Sportsfields Civitan #1 A No No Stonedust
Bridgeport Sportsfields Diamond #2 A No No Stonedust
Bridgeport Sportsfields Diamond #3 A No No Stonedust
Lions Sportsfields Diamond #1 A No No Stonedust
Southwest Optimist Park Diamond #1A No No Stonedust
Southwest Optimist Park Diamond A No No Stonedust
#2
Southwest Optimist Park Diamond #3A No No Stonedust
Southwest Optimist Park Diamond A No No Stonedust
#4
Southwest Optimist Park Diamond #5A No No Stonedust
Wilson Park Diamond #1 A No No Stonedust
Wilson Park Diamond #2A No No Stonedust
Wilson Park Diamond #3A No No Stonedust
Wilson Park Diamond #4A No No Stonedust
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