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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-07-094 - Wilson Park Concession & Public Meeting Update (In Reference To CSD-07-078)J I~TC~~R Community Services . , . Report To: Mayor Zehr and Members of Council Date of Meeting: October 15, 2007 Submitted By: Denise Keelan, Interim Director, Aquatics & Athletics Prepared By: Denise Keelan, Interim Director, Aquatics & Athletics Ward(s) Involved: 3 Date of Report: October 11 , 2007 Report No.: CSD-07-094 Subject: WILSON PARK CONCESSION AND PUBLIC MEETING UPDATE (IN REFERENCE TO CSD-07-078} RECOMMENDATION: For Information and update only BACKGROUND: This report is provided as a result of the motion in Council meeting of October 1, 2007. That report CSD-07-078, be referred for consideration at the October 15, 2007 special Council meeting, pending a second public meeting to discuss alternative locations as outlined in addendum report CSD-07-084, dated September 28, 2007. "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an Agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with the Kitchener Minor Boys Softball Association (KMBSA} regarding the construction of a small building for use as a concession, and the subsequent operation of the concession in Wilson Park, said Agreement to authorize KMBSA to be responsible for the construction of the building in cooperation with Facilities Management and Parks Operations based on the conditions as laid out in Community Services Department report CSD-07-078; and further, That the General Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute a renewal of this Agreement as it pertains to the operation of this concession for the years 2008 and 2009, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." A copy of report CSD-07-078 is attached for council reference. REPORT: A second public meeting was held on Tuesday October 9th at the Kingsdale Community Centre at S:OOpm. Report No: CSD-07-094 Present at this meeting were police officer Pete Barbuto with the Waterloo Regional Police, and staff Greg Hummel, Lynda Stewart and Denise Keelan. 36 members of the public attended the meeting. A summary of written responses, and phone calls received is shown in an attachment to this report. Much of the concerns from the residents focused on the location of the building within the park. Residents on Shelley Drive were upset that the building would visible from their front yard. Highlights of the discussion and the staff responses are listed as follows: o Vandalism and Graffiti: Officer Pete Barbuto with WRP spoke to the group and made several points regarding the potential for this structure to be vandalized. From the safety and security perspective his point was the building needs to be visible. Recommendations on location and suggested building materials will be in a report to the Kitchener Minor Boys Softball that Officer Barbuto is preparing. Similar to the picnic shelter at Huron Natural Park site the exterior walls of the building will be treated with a coating that allows paint removal with soap and water. o Location of the Concession/Shelter in the park: The major complaint from residents was the visibility of the structure from their home. Shelley Dr. home owners requested the building be located in the far side of the park near the forest behind Clark Ave. homes. Residents from Clark Ave. indicated they did not want the building in their back yard, they preferred the location closer to the Shelley Dr. as their preferred site. As the attached map shows the options for the location were given consideration by staff following the first public meeting. Based on this meeting October 9t", the most favorable site that suits many of the residents is shown as the star between the squares marked 2 and 3. This site is the furthest distance from both of the side streets and does satisfy the WRP recommendations. KMBSA are satisfied with this location since it allows them the visibility of both diamonds and will provide shelter for those viewing both games at diamonds 1 and 2. The square numbered 4 was an option presented by a Shirley Dr. resident. Six of the residents were in favor of this option, however it would be unacceptable to the Police and the site would not suit the game viewing opportunities that the KMBSA are anticipating. Option 4 would pose a visibility issue that the site would be more prone to vandalism next to the forest. o Appearance of the Building: To show the residents a likeness that this building will be similar to, photos of the picnic shelter and washrooms at Huron Natural Park were shown at the meeting (copy attached}. Staff and KMBSA intend for the structure to be an attractive amenity to the park. The photo of the Huron site building is attached to this report for reference. o Increased activity and usage of the park: Some of the residents felt the building might increase the activity and usage of the ball diamonds. This in turn would increase noise and traffic in the community. Staff responded to these concerns by pointing out the KMBSA are the main user of this facility and they have maximized the tournaments and weekday games to capacity. The park is highly used and is a valuable asset to the youth in the community and the city as a whole. The more positive use of the park should allow for less abuse of the parklands. These 4 diamonds are a unique configuration in the province. Many municipalities have a shelter and concession with only one or two diamonds on site. o Space for families and children to play and enjoy: A vocal woman from the community spoke closer to the end of the meeting in an effort to address the obvious Report No: CSD-07-094 negativity in the room. Her view point had changed in the course of this meeting once she had the opportunity to hear from the KMBSA and their extensive plans and homework on this project. She echoed the sentiments from the staff that this park is for children in our neighborhood. The park is to be used and enjoyed and will increase the opportunities for youth to be busy in healthy activities. Hundreds of boys and girls in softball pass hundreds of hours in this park with their families. Staff will continue to encourage the use of this facility and wish to enhance the park with this structure. o Community usage of Wilson Park: A concern from one resident addressed the issue she believed this structure would solely service one sports group. A number of sports associations use Wilson diamonds throughout the spring and summer including the Boards of Education. A chart is attached showing the groups that have booked the park in the past 5 years. Each of these groups will be eligible to use the shelter and washrooms should they choose as part of the field booking. The concession may be booked based on the terms of the agreement we develop with the KMBSA. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Based on the second Public meeting held October 9, 2007 there is no new financial implications to this recommendation CONCLUSION: Kitchener Minor Boys Softball is the main tenant of Wilson Park from May to September. City revenues from their use of the facility total more than $15,000 annually. This volunteer driven organization provides recreational and competitive softball, teamwork opportunities, sportsmanship development, learning opportunities and family growth to hundreds of Kitchener youth. This structure is foremost a social gathering place and shelter for the families watching the games. Based on the revised suggested site options, residents were given the opportunity to choose a location that was most favorable to them. The Waterloo Regional Police provided valuable information that hopefully residents understood as a priority for the security and safety of the building. Following the public meeting staff received a number of e-mails from residents. As mentioned earlier these residents were in favor of the proposed structure. They felt strongly that this shelter and concession would serve the community and the park users. Staff feels this project will have a positive impact on the park setting at Wilson Park. The Kitchener Minor Boys Softball executive has worked extremely hard to make this project a reality. Their enthusiasm, dedication to the sport and respect for the park is very evident in the success of their fundraising efforts. The recommendation to create this agreement and support this building has been carefully considered and is fully supported by the Community Services Department. Development and approval of this agreement will allow the KMBSA continued success and growth in their sport and association. 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