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HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-17-061 - Breithaupt Ball Diamond Lighting REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: August 21, 2017 SUBMITTED BY: Denise McGoldrick, Director, Operations Environmental Services (741-2600 x4657) PREPARED BY: Mark Parris, Landscape Architect (741-2600x4397) WARD(S) INVOLVED: 10 DATE OF REPORT: August 10, 2017 REPORT NO.: INS-17-061 SUBJECT: Breithaupt Ball Diamond Lighting Follow-up to INS-17-027 ____________________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATIONS: 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, and; That the improvements to on-site parking facilities at Breithaupt Park including pedestrian access to all parking facilities, be referred to the 2017-2026 Capital Budget process for consideration. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: A diamond user study identified that the City of Kitchener requires an additional 1.5 diamonds by 2018 and an additional 6 diamonds by 2021 to meet the demand of youth accessing diamond sports. Staff considered how to address the immediate demand through the consideration of factors such as neighbourhood impact, efficient land use, operating costs, capital costs, and the ability to meet recreational. A summary table is provided below on the scenarios evaluated. Staff recommends Breithaupt as the preferred scenario based on the ability to achieve most of the objectives with the exception of neighbourhood impact due to the pre-existing neighbourhood setting. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 13 - 1 Staff heard concerns raised by residents living in the Breithaupt neighbourhood (provided in Appendix B) and over the course of the summer conducted studies to evaluate parking, behaviour, and noise concerns. The study findings informed mitigation measures however not all concerns can be fully mitigated (e.g. in-game noise). Mitigating measures include the following: Parking: o Improvements to on-site parking facilities. o Signage and communication strategy to encourage and guide diamond users to the correct parking facility rather than on-road parking. Behaviour and noise: o Staff will work with all users to re-inforce code of conduct policies and behaviour expectations. o Provision of additional washroom facilities (portable toilets). o Signage to promote respectful behaviour and consideration for neighbourhood (appendix G). o By consolidating parking in designated and improved parking areas, post- game noise and disturbance will be reduced. o Provide enhanced plantings to aide in long-term noise attenuation; however it is not possible to eliminate in-game noise entirely. Hours of Operation: o Staff has worked closely with the Kitchener Minor Baseball Association to evaluate hours of operation and determine the earliest feasible time that lights could be shut-off (see table 1) 13 - 2 BACKGROUND: In fall 2016, a diamond user study was conducted to make recommendations on how to meet the short- 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. The utilization of diamonds in 2017 remained consistent with the 2016 utilization numbers due to the inability to provide additional diamonds for ball users to accommodate growth within their programs. Based on current user demand and projected growth within the city the city is in need of 1.5 diamonds in 2018; the .05 diamond was found in 2017 through improvements to how fields are booked. An additional 6 diamonds will be required by 2021. In time, more diamonds and fields will be lit to maximize their utilization for greatest efficiency of city land and resources. At the March 6, 2017 Community and Infrastructure Services Committee (CISC), report INS-17-008 Ball Diamonds Improvements Update was presented with two recommendations for consideration: 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. The recommendation addressing Upper Canada Park was approved, however the Breithaupt Park recommendation and motion was deferred to the April 3, 2017 CISC Meeting (amended to no later than August 31, 2017 at the April 3, 2017 CISC meeting) to allow time for staff to consult with area residents regarding possible measures to mitigate the impact of the proposed lights. REPORT: This report is a follow-up to staff report INS-17-008 Ball Diamond Improvements Update with the purpose of providing information on public consultation and mitigations to resident concerns. 13 - 3 Breithaupt Park was selected for lighting upgrades for the following reasons (identified in the previous staff report, and summarized below): QualityThese 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; Cost Effective These diamonds include ideal field dimensions with irrigated and skinned infields directly aligning with the user growth. Diamonds are also at the same location, creating greater efficiencies in diamond lighting and operational costs; Opportunity The Breithaupt diamonds are recommended as they are the only existing unlit diamonds with irrigated or skinned infields. Lions Park and Jack Couch Park are already lit, and feature both irrigation and skinned infields; Target User Groups Lighting the diamonds will immediately alleviate the pressure of reported growth in both Baseball Ontario and Kitchener Minor Baseball Association, both of which are the primary user groups of the Breithaupt hardball diamonds. The estimated cost to light the two diamonds at Breithaupt Park is $580,000 and can be accommodated within the existing capital budget Public Consultation Three public meetings were held on February 28, 2017, March 22, 2017, and August 9, 2017 as well as the opportunity for the neighbourhood to contact staff via email or by phone at any point throughout the project. The February 28, 2017 meeting was held as a drop-in opportunity for residents to meet with city representatives to discuss any questions or concerns about the recommendation to light two diamonds within Breithaupt Park. Ninety-nine households were circulated letters of invitation, with nine households represented at the meeting andthree additional households provided comments after the meeting through e-mail. Concerns heard at the meeting were documented and summarized in Appendix A. The major concerns are behaviours and noise, parking, and hours of operation. The concerns reported were not known to staff as no formal complaints or requests related to parking or disturbances and noise in the park were previously made to the City. On March 22, 2017 ameeting with residents was held as to discuss concerns and identify potential mitigation measures. In an effort to better understand the existing neighbourhood concerns related to the use of Breithaupt Park, staff determined more time was needed to understand the concerns and develop strategies to mitigate the current concerns. As a result of the input from the neighbours the consideration of the 13 - 4 lighting proposal was deferred during the April 3, Community and Infrastructure Services Committee to a future Community and Infrastructure Services Committee no later than August 31, 2017. On August 9, 2017 a meeting with residents was held to present findings of a three-part study to address primary concerns of behaviour and noise, parking and hours of operation. The results of the findings are described in this report. Overall 19 households attended the consultation sessions, in addition to representation from Kitchener Minor Baseball Association. Parking City staff conducted a series of parking counts prior to and during the baseball season. Parking areas are shown on Appendix B Park Study Context. Results of the parking counts are shown in Appendix C. period was conducted April 19, 2017 to April 29, 2017,to establish the baseline for parking demands. The -period was conducted in two stages; May 29, 2017 to June 3, 2017, and July 4, 2017 to July 16, 2017. Total parking peaked at 99 cars in the control period averaging 68 cars per day. Total parking peaked at 189 cars-, averaging 104 cars per day. There are approximately 211 parking spots within Breithaupt Park 151 spots at the Breithaupt Centre with an additional 60 parking spots within the Breithaupt Park gravel parking area and New Dawn School. Behaviour and Noise City staff, Kitchener Minor Baseball Association (KMBA) and volunteers from the Appendix D) to both quantify and qualify concerns over on-going undesired behaviour and noise occurring in the park. A total of 25 reports were completed totalling 62 hours dedicated to on-site observations Observations were conducted in two stages; May 29, 2017 to June 4, 2017, and July 17, 2017 to July 23, 2017. Scoring observed behaviour and noise was completed with the following scoring system: 0-1Unacceptable, 2-3 Poor, 3-4 Fair, 5-6 Acceptable, 7-9 Good, 10 Excellent with no reservations. The average score relating to behaviour of park activities was 8.1. The average score relating to noise experienced in the park was 7.6. For a summary of scoring and occurrences, refer to Appendix E 13 - 5 In addition to the observation reports City by-law staff conducted noise readings to better understand and quantify the level of noise reported by the neighbourhood. 10 readings were taken between June 26, 2017 and July 13, 2017 at 7 locations in and outside of the Breithaupt Park boundaries within the hours of 7:30pm and 8:00pm. Appendix Bidentifies the location of the noise readings taken. The average reading was taken at approximately 51 dB. Three readings were noted by staff to be spiked by adjacent traffic averaging 59 dB. The remaining seven readings isolating traffic impact was an average of 48 dB. -law (Chapter 450) as evaluated by by-law staff. By- typically registering 85 dB. Results of the noise readings are shown in Appendix F Proposed Mitigations To address three of the major concerns from public consultation, the following mitigations are proposed by staff: Parking Parking capacities are primarily being met currently through two informal parking lots within the park property a gravel informal parking area bordering the natural area and Diamonds 1 and 2, and the former New Dawn School site located south of Diamond 3 along Fairfield. Therefore staff will explore the use and formalization of the New Dawn School site, and formalize the gravel informal parking area to increase capacity to better facilitate and direct circulation through the park, and better manage on site vehicle impact. To address the concern of on-road parking, signage and communications strategy will be implemented to encourage and guide ball diamond users to the correct parking facility rather than the on-road facilities. On-road parking restrictions are not recommended as this will remove parking on-road for residents as well. As a result signage will be non-enforceable but rather an on-going stewardship effort.Residents have been informed to contact the Region of Waterloo Corporate Contact Centre to log all parking concerns, which allows the city to respond and track data accordingly. Behaviour and Noise The average scoring given to behaviour and noise was 8.1 and 7.6 respectively, both However, specific observations indicate this can be improved upon. 13 - 6 To address behaviour related issues from the neighbourhood, Staff will continue to work with all users including the primary diamond user Kitchener Minor Baseball Association (KMBA), to re-inforce code of conduct policies and behaviour expectations of their membership. The City will identify unacceptable behaviours on user permits and install signs within the park. (see Appendix GOn-Site Neighbourhood Sign). Increased by-law and police presence will discourage specific by-law infractions such as public alcohol consumption and urination, and deter future occurrences. The city has seen success with this method in the past with other sport-related facilities. (e.g. The Aud & arenas). Further to addressing out-of-game noise concerns, by consolidating parking requirements in designated and improved parking areas, post-game noise and disturbance from the public roadways will be reduced through the baseball season. Addressing in-game noise, enhanced planting can aide in long-term noise attenuation, however it should be noted that it is not possible to eliminate in-game noise entirely for concerned neighbours. Hours of Operation Staff has worked closely with KMBA, the primary user, to review scheduling practices of the diamonds to evaluate the hours of operation and determine the earliest feasible time that lights could be shut off to address concerns about noise continuing later into each night. The following schedule is proposed for Monday to Saturday in Table 1 below. Sundays are proposed to remain status quo for booking hours and will be restricted for use of lights. Table 1: Proposed Diamond Scheduling at Breithaupt Park, Weeknights and Saturday DiamondPrimary Game #1 Game #2 Final Lights Off UserStartStartGame EndTime 1-Smaller Diamond, PeeWee 5:30pm7:30pm10:00pm10:15pm Borders Unionand below (13 and under) 2-Larger Diamond, Midget and 6:00pm8:30pm10:45pm11:00pm Central to ParkBantam (14-18) The intent of this schedule is to achieve two game slots each night while responding to 13 - 7 The city and KMBA have been able to reduce the end time of Diamond #1 to 10:15 pm by beginning the first game at 5:30pm. KMBA has received approval from the Inter- County Baseball Association to start rep games at 7:30 p.m. on Diamond 1, which is a half hour earlier to accommodate this lighting strategy. Due to older age groups, longer game times, and travel demands, Diamond #2 is proposed to have an end time of 10:45pm by beginning the first game at 6:00pm. The start time of games and duration of games are set by the Inter-County Baseball Association. By reducing the end time of Diamond #1 the city is able to stagger beginning and end times of both times, relieving traffic congestion of game turnover, and provide an additional 100m buffer between Union St. and the activity of Diamond #2 between 10:00pm and 10:45pm. Alternatives Considered Staff evaluated alternative scenarios to address near-term diamond capacity needs.In identifying alternative scenarios,definitions are provided in Appendix H to aid in describing th Light and upgrade three B level diamonds In all alternative scenarios, subsequent diamond upgrades will also be required at other multi-use diamonds to accommodate displaced non-hardball users of the upgraded facilities. Infrastructure and layout varies at each A2 or B level diamond. Upgrading any of the lower tier diamonds would include installation of irrigation, drainage, clay only or clay and grass infields, fencing or fencing realignment on top of lighting costs. Costs will increase significantly from the Breithaupt lighting scenario not only due to other infrastructure upgrades (irrigation, drainage, fencing), but also costs associated with developing two diamonds at two locations. These would include servicing connections (water, drainage, electrical), servicing housing, and contractor mobilization. The total cost is estimated at $1,790,000 and represents an increase of approximately $1,200,000 from the recommended approach (see Financial Implications section). Land purchase and construction of new diamonds While there are no new potential lands identified for the City to acquire, staff estimated potential land purchase and construction costs to meet the requirements for one additional lit diamond to meet the bookable hours gained by lighting two existing diamonds. The total cost is estimated at $6,400,000 and represents an increase of approximately $5,800,000 from the recommended approach (see Financial Implications section). 13 - 8 There is a high degree of uncertainty associated with land and construction costs and staff have provided the estimate based on best available information at this time. It should be noted that neither of these scenarios would meet the immediate need of providing 1.5 additional fields by 2018 and it is unlikely that Scenario B would meet the 5 year needs. SUMMARY: A strategy to light diamonds will be necessary to meet the current and future demand for diamonds. Maximizing the efficiencies of current ball diamond inventory by 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). Lighting the Breithaupt Park diamonds represents the most cost-effective way to increase ball diamond inventory, contribute to immediate and short-term needs while also contributing to the medium-term inventory objectives, and is achievable within the existing capital budget. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The provision of diamond sport opportunities for youth and addressing demand needs by max as follows: Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods - Encourage active participation in existing recreational facilities while moving Sustainable Environment and Infrastructure -Strengthen the capability and affordable, dependable and sustainable in the long-term. 13 - 9 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Estimated costs to fund the Breithaupt lighting recommendation and alternative scenarios are summarized below: ScenarioTotal Cost Additional Cost per Additional EstimateBooking Booking Hour Capital Hours GainedGainedFunding Required Lighting Breithaupt $580,000600$967$0 Park (2diamonds) (Recommendation) AThree B $1,790,000900$1,988$1,210,000 1 Diamond Upgrades (3 diamonds) Land $6,400,000600 (1 new $10,666$5,820,000 Purchase and diamond, lit) diamond 2 construction 1. 3 diamonds would be lit to compensate for other diamond user displacement 2. There is a high degree of uncertainty associated with land and construction costs Per Staff Report INS-17-008, $580,000 is available in the District Park Development General Provision which is sufficient for the Breithaupt Park recommendation. As the chart above outlines, the alternative scenarios would require additional funding which is unavailable in the General Provision, not identified in the capital budget and would delay or jeopardize other sport and recreational projects. Further to direct costs, operational costs would increase to accommodate for additional diamond maintenance requirements at previously unstaffed locations. This may be realized in the form of increased staffing, or decreased service levels to other sportsfield locations. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM A copy of this report will be posted t; CONSULT Community consultation has been identified and described earlier within this report. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Cynthia Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services 13 - 10 APPENDIX A: Resident Concerns and Proposed Mitigations as recorded on February 28, 2017 CommentAction or Possible Mitigation Behaviours & Noise Players urinate between and behind cars Add portable washrooms in critical locations parked along Union St., facing the homes. Parents allow their children to relieve themselves by the parked cars. Investigate placement of litter receptacles, People go into the bush to relieve consideration for controlled lids themselves, leave litter behind and are Investigate signage and a communication overly loud. strategy around Respect our Neighbours Level of noise Car doors slamming, Work with sport groups to change negative parents talking by cars, dogs barking etc. behaviour patterns, and reinforce code of during play and after play as people are conduct guidelines. vacating the park. In-game noise may be reduced by enhanced Most people linger by cars to discuss the planting along Union St. game next to neighbouring homes. Drinking -Concern of parents drinking while Work with sport groups to change negative watching the games. behaviour patterns, and reinforce code of conduct guidelines. Sport group to investigate solutions to enforcing their codes of conduct. Investigate and track when this behavior is happening is it user related Investigate additional reinforcement via RIDE program checks Litter currently an issue with litter Investigate placement of litter receptacles, throughout the park and natural area. consideration for controlled lids Increased use will only make the problem worse Parking Blocking Driveways -Cars are lined up on Evaluate traffic patterns and parking patterns the street throughout the neighbourhood, related to the use of the ball park. many times partially or fully blocking Evaluate access points and pathways to the driveways. fields The neighbouring roads,including the cul- Evaluate creative parking solutions, expand de-sac,get filled and prevent residents from parking (e.g. carpooling) leaving. Concerned this will be further impacted by the additional play with the installation of lights, as many of the street parking spots have been reduced due to the bike lane. Many people park along Union in the Work with by-law and the sport organizations to 13 - 11 CommentAction or Possible Mitigation designated no parking areas.enforce parking requirements. Calls to By-law provide little relief to the Project team to connect with by-law on parking issue.monitoring and patrolling activity in the area. Expand parking the expandedparking Investigate options could be used in the winter for an outdoor rink Hours of Operation Do not want to see Sunday Evening play Investigate to see if play could be restricted on under the lights. Please keep it to the Sunday evenings current schedule. Overall concern on the 11:00pm end time Investigate earliest possible closing time while and expanded noise/behavior problems maintaining the goal of two games per night, per later into the nightfield. Other Concerns What impacts will the lighting have on the Need to investigate wild life Balls hit into front yards residents have to Installation of netting along Diamond #1 to check yard before mowing etc.capture balls heading towards Union Section of dead trees along the back of Forestry to be notified for possible removal Diamond 1 & 2 by resident properties. Irrigation of diamonds continues during the Municipal sports field watering is exempt from Water restrictions in the summer. Residents the Region of Waterloo Water Conservation By- law restrictions Patterns of the timing for irrigation noticed Municipal sports field watering is exempt from the systems sometime runs when it is the Region of Waterloo Water Conservation By- raining or just rainedlaw restrictions Burnt out lights on Lancaster The lights are owned by the Ministry of Transportation and they will not be replacing them. Investigate other options. Notice that litter is being mowed over when Review practice. the fields are cut. Request to have hand trimming completed Review practice around trees and other areas that cannot be cut by riding equipment Lack of response from the city on a variety For any future operational issues, report by of reported issuesusing the Corporate Contact Centre: 519-741-2345, The CCC is 24/7 service available to all residents. All calls are logged and tracked. This is a tool for staff to use to implement new processes. 13 - 12 CommentAction or Possible Mitigation Contact Information for Ward CouncilorWard 10-Sarah Marsh 519-579-0502 Office or 519-741-2786 Home sarah.marsh@kitchener.ca or @Marsh_Ward10 Communication & Follow Up Requested information on filing to be a To register as a delegate, complete the online delegateform: http://app.kitchener.ca/surveys/eform.aspx?tid= 1205275 The meeting is a Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting, on Monday March th 6, 2017 For more information, visit the webpage below: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/insidecityhall/Regist erAsADelegation.asp Residents requested opportunity to move The Committee agenda is set and cannot be the Committee meeting time to after work moved. The time is between 10:30am and th hours to allow them to attend1:00pm on Monday March 6in the Council Chambers. There will be a second opportunity to delegate th at the March 20Council meeting in which the Committee decision will be ratified. Council meetings are held between 7:00pm and 11:00pm Would like communication to continue via e-All households that submitted their contact mail and/or in person meeting following the information will be updated on all news events th Committee meeting Monday March 6, and moving forward. th prior to Council March 20 Requested a summary of the notes from Meeting summary provided within this summary this meeting 13 - 13 APPENDIX B:Breithaupt Park Context and Study Boundary Map 13 - 14 APPENDIX C:Breithaupt Park Parking Study Results Overall Counts LOCATIONCONTROLBASEBALLDIFFERENCE Avg.MaxAvg.MaxAvg.Max 15 Union (to St Leger)2439 Margaret Ave (Union to 122614 Fairfield) 15 Maplewood Pl25310 0-2 Oakwood Ave.2513 28 Ridgewood Ave.45613 -17 Fairfield Ave (to St 59416 Leger) Floyd St3661226 13 Crestwood Ave.47510 10 Woodward Ave.2424 05 Hartwood Ave.1217 023 Breithaupt Parking Lot 34493472 Breithaupt Parking Lot 9191435516 2347 Gravel Lot behind 002347 Diamonds 1 and 2 New Dawn School0013221322 13 - 15 Weekday Observations: Control DayCategoryOn-RoadBreithaupt In-Park Centre Wed, April 19Control 1980 Thurs, April 20Control 19510 Mon, April 24Control 27590 Tues, April 25Control 22620 Wed, April 26Control 31550 Review PeakControl 31620 AverageControl 24470 Weekday Observations: Baseball DayCategoryOn-RoadBreithaupt In-Park Centre Mon, May 29Baseball324552 Tues, May 30Baseball447218 Wed, May 21Baseball2666N/A Thurs, June 1Baseball358030 Tues, July 4Baseball406648 Wed, July 5Baseball194124 Thurs, July 6Baseball3767N/A Thurs, July 13Baseball3081N/A Review PeakBaseball448152 AverageBaseball336429 13 - 16 Weekend Observations: Control DayCategoryOn-RoadBreithaupt In-Park Centre Fri, April 28Control 20250 Sat, April 29Control 37390 Review PeakControl 37390 AverageControl 29320 Weekend Observations: Baseball DayCategoryOn-RoadBreithaupt In-Park Centre Fri, June 2Baseball341338 Sat, June 3Baseball562440 Sun, June 4Baseball2714N/A Fri, July 7Baseball21123 Fri, July 14Baseball2731N/A Sat, July 15Baseball2570N/A Sun, July 16Baseball302N/A Review PeakBaseball567040 AverageBaseball322620 13 - 17 APPENDIX D:Breithaupt Park Noise Study Results LocationMap Result Result Comments No.1(dB)2(dB) Ambient ReadingN/A60.2The road traffic noise makes the readings spike and the comment from the officer was that the traffic noise drowns out the noise from the baseball games. These violation of our noise bylaw. Union StA57.7Reader mostly spiking due to traffic North of Diamond 1 passing by on Union St. on Park perimeter Sunset PlaceB47.449.1 behind 14 Sunset Place on the East property boundary Ridgewood AveC49.7 behind 65 Ridgewood between the property boundary and right field of Diamond 2 Fairfield AveD46.352.3Games active on diamonds close In centre field of to Fairfield Diamond 3 behind 70- 76 Fairfield Ave. 768 Union StE47.0 Backyard 774 Union StF45.5 Backyard 774 Union StG60.2There were no baseball games Street Levelactive. The average dB was 60.2. the day but it was still pretty busy. There was on average a car driving by every 20-30 seconds. When a around 44. 13 - 18 APPENDIX E:Breithaupt Park Behaviour Report Template 13 - 19 APPENDIX F:Behaviour Reports Summary Number of Reports Completed: 24 Hours of Observation: 62 Reports by Association City of Kitchener Staff*: 15 KMBA Volunteers: 3 Neighourhood Volunteers: 6 CategoryAverage Summary of Comments by Reviewer Score Behaviour8.1 Public Urination3 reports indicated observation of public urinationin the natural area bordering Diamonds 1 and 2. No reports of players publicly urinating Public Alcohol 3 reports associated with individuals tail- Consumptiongating out of cars/trucks within gravel parking lot. 2 reports of open consumption of alcohol in the park. Litteringlittering in the park sportsfieldscoffee cups, plastic water bottles, wrappers, etc. Other3 reports of smoking byspectators 1 report of dog off-leash activity Noise7.6 Right-of-way No reports of disturbances within roadways Disturbances Excessive In-game 4 reports of excessive yelling, chanting, Noisescreaming that increases as games approach their end Other1 report of excessive noise as cars leave lots, yelling back and forth between individuals *Event and Guest Service staff from the Aud and Arenas were the primary Kitchener staff used for observations. 13 - 20 APPENDIX G:On-Site Neighbourhood Sign 13 - 21 APPENDIX H:Definitions of Sport Type and Diamond Categories Hardball Traditional grass inset diamond), and typically larger infields and outfields Softball/Multi-use Variants of the traditional baseball sport played with 12 infield and outfield distances compared to hardball A1 DiamondIrrigated diamond, clay surface infield surface, outfield fencing, A2 Diamond Non-irrigated diamonds, clay or stonedust infield surface, outfield B Diamond Non-irrigated diamonds, stonedust infield surface, no outfield fencing, weekly grooming, maintained turf on 2 week rotation 13 - 22