Page 1 of Report PR-36-12 TO: Community Services Committee Parks & Recreation Department SUBJECT: Opportunities for a Permanent Cricket Field Report Number: PR-36-12 File Number(s): 930-01 Report Date: October 15, 2012 Ward(s) Affected: 1 2 3 4 5 6 All x Date to Committee: November 14, 2012 Date to Council: November 26, 2012 Recommendation: Authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation to extend the use of the temporary cricket field in Central Park for future seasons; and Direct the Director of Parks and Recreation to continue to work with cricket representatives and monitor the progress and growth of cricket in the City of Burlington and report back any requirement for change in the temporary arrangement. Purpose: Address goal or action in strategic plan Establish new or revised policy or service standard Respond to legislation x Respond to staff direction Address other area of responsibility The purpose of this report is to: Provide results of public consultation related to a permanent cricket field Provide information on the current state of cricket in the City of Burlington Extend the temporary use of the cricket field at Central Park Reference to Strategic Plan: Vibrant Neighbourhoods x Prosperity Excellence in Government N/A Goal: Nurture an innovative business community and work with partners to create employment and lifestyle opportunities for people of all ages.
Page 2 of Report PR-36-12 Strategic Action: Strengthen the balance of arts, culture and sport to build economic prosperity and quality of life. Develop and carry out a strategy to boost community and volunteer involvement through partnerships, e.g. for program service delivery. Background: Past Council Resolutions: REGULAR MEETING OF COUNCIL NO. 14-1: Authorize the Director of Parks & Recreation to extend the use of the temporary cricket field in Central Park through the 2012/13 seasons; and Direct the Director of Parks and Recreation to provide an assessment of the temporary cricket field use and confirm the need for the implementation of a permanent cricket field in a suitable park location; and Authorize the Director of Parks & Recreation to undertake public consultation in June 2012 with the local communities and user groups that may be impacted by the implementation of a cricket field at the potential park locations identified in report PR-18-11; and Direct the Director of Parks & Recreation to report back to Council on the results of the needs assessment for a permanent cricket field and recommend a preferred solution for a permanent cricket field in the 4 th Quarter of 2012, including detailed cost estimates and proposed funding. Reference to Parks, Recreation and Cultural Assets Master Plan: Section 4, Parks, Open Spaces and Community Trails of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Master Plan (Master Plan) supports the development of sports fields to address the changing diversity of the city. The introduction of cricket in the community relates to a number of principles of the Master Plan that include: Address Diversity
Page 3 of Report PR-36-12 Balanced array of opportunities Fairness and inclusivity Increasing interests in soccer, cricket, cultural and seniors services due to aging, diversity and related population trends. Cricket Field: In September 2010, a temporary cricket field was established in Central Park as a shared use opportunity with two (2) existing baseball diamonds. The cricket field was intended to provide an interim location for cricket and to determine community need, demand and use until such time as the need for a permanent cricket field could be assessed. Criteria: In consultation with cricket representatives, staff developed criteria to assess potential permanent cricket field locations as outlined in Report PR-18-11. Potential Locations: Based on the criteria, five (5) locations were identified in four (4) parks and assessed by staff. These locations were presented to Council with high level cost estimates. Staff received direction to undertake community consultation in relation to the five (5) locations identified, complete an assessment of the temporary field, review potential sites and report back to Council with a preferred option. Discussion: Area Cricket: Leagues Currently there are two cricket leagues within the Golden Horseshoe area as follows: Hamilton and District Cricket League has 15 adult teams and 10 adult teams playing T-20 (shorter game) Toronto and District Cricket League has 104 adult teams and 4 women s teams and youth divisions consisting of 17 teams in U-13, 15 teams in U-15 9 teams in U-17and 12 teams U-19
Page 4 of Report PR-36-12 In Burlington, two (2) adult cricket teams that are members of the Hamilton and District Cricket League utilize the cricket field at Central Park. No other users requested the use of the field over the course of the last two (2) years. In neighbouring communities, Oakville has a cricket field at Glen Ashton Park and Hamilton has a cricket field at Mohawk Park. Assessment of Cricket Field Use: The cricket season operates from May to early October and games are primarily scheduled on Sundays. Two (2) adult cricket teams that participate in the Premier Division of the Hamilton District Cricket League utilize the cricket field at Central Park for games. The cricket users have a temporary mating for the pitch area that is installed and removed for each game. When the cricket field is in use, the two (2) baseball diamonds are not able to be scheduled. The use of the cricket field in 2011 and 2012 is outlined in Chart 1 below. Chart 1 Field Use: Year Hours Used Days of Use Revenue Generated 2011 118.5 Saturday 5 $1,599.75 Sunday 13 2012 66.0 Saturday 1 Sunday - 10 $913.44 Hours of use have declined from 2012 to 2011 and there have been no new teams or new programs, such as youth or introductory programs using the cricket field. The cricket representatives indicated that in 2011, their teams hosted exhibition games and T-20 tournaments that increased their use over and above regular league play. These events were not hosted in 2012. Feedback from Cricket Representatives After two (2) years of utilizing the cricket field at Central Park, the two teams have enjoyed using the field and have received positive comments from visiting players on the quality of the field and park. The only drawback to utilizing the cricket field is the time and effort required to install and remove the temporary matting. The matting is stored in Central Arena and volunteers are required to move the matting from the arena to the field, place the matting over the pitch and then fasten it to the ground. At the end the game, the matting is removed and transported back to the arena for storage. This task takes between 30 to 60 minutes both before and after a use. The cricket teams pay a fee to store the matting at Central arena in addition to their field permit fees.
Page 5 of Report PR-36-12 Public consultation Methodology: Since the options for a permanent cricket field are located in three (3) Wards, the most effective method of obtaining feedback from the community was from an on-line information and feedback opportunity. On July 12, 2012 residents in the vicinity of the parks identified as potential locations for a permanent cricket field were sent letters requesting and encouraging their input and directing them to the on-line survey, as well as other feedback opportunities (phone, letters). The link to the City s website provided background information related to cricket, including a brief overview of cricket and past reports and Council directions. In addition, staff notified Playfield Users of the opportunity for feedback and staff attended a Ward 2 Councillor s meeting to provide information on cricket and respond to questions. Staff met with cricket representatives prior to and after their 2012 season to provide an update on this initiative, outline the process to obtain community feedback, advise them of next steps and seek their feedback. Results: The City received approximately 60 responses to the on-line questionnaire. General areas of focus of the comments included the following: At potential sites that resulted in the displacement of an existing field, comments did not support impacting a well used field for an activity that did not demonstrate a similar need Questioning the need for a permanent cricket field given the low number of participants compared to other sports If a permanent field is developed, City View Park would be the best option as current users would not be displaced A new field should not be added to an existing and busy park Concern with impact to existing park function if made permanent Positive comments were received for the temporary use of cricket field at Central Park but questioned the need for a permanent field and the displacement of existing uses based on the current need of cricket users Through the consultation process, there have been no concerns expressed by residents around Central Park, the general public or other field users regarding the use of the cricket field.
Page 6 of Report PR-36-12 Options Considered Staff have assessed potential sites and related costs. The costs and impacts of the various options were identified in report PR-11-18. Council gave approval to move forward with further consultation on these options. After public consultation on the options and analysis of need, staff are of the opinion there is not a demonstrated need for a permanent cricket field at this time. In consideration of the past and current use of the temporary field at Central Park, staff is recommending the continued temporary use of the cricket field at Central Park. The cricket representatives have been consulted on this option and are in agreement that the arrangement at Central Park is currently meeting their needs. Addressing Future Need: Cricket representatives indicated to staff that that there appears to be a sufficient number of participants to add another adult cricket team in Burlington. Preliminary discussions indicate that the team would consider using the cricket field on Saturdays for games. In discussions with the cricket representatives, staff were advised that a permanent cricket pitch mat (22m x3m artificial turf surface) at Central Park would be beneficial to the development of the sport by: Reducing the time to install and remove the temporary matting Elimination of the cost to store the matting A permanent cricket pitch mat would allow for easier access to the cricket field that may result in an increase in use Present and increased uses would not be as demanding on volunteers. Staff were also advised that the current cricket users would pursue funding opportunities to assist in the installation of a permanent pitch mat which is estimated at approximately $20,000. Staff will work with the cricket users to ensure any proposed changes do not have a negative effect on base ball users. Staff will continue to work cooperatively with cricket representatives to: monitor the development of the sport in the coming years to accommodate additional use of the cricket field at Central Park. potential development of a permanent pitch at Central Park and/or City View Park Financial Matters: No financial impact in using the cricket field at Central in future years.
Page 7 of Report PR-36-12 It is anticipated proposed improvements to install a permanent cricket pitch mat will be funded by the users. Communication Matters: Staff will send notification of this report to Playfield Users, the cricket representatives and the residents in the vicinity of the parks that were identified as an option for a permanent cricket field. Conclusion: Through public consultation and discussions with cricket representatives, it is staff s opinion that the continued use of the cricket field at Central Park meets current needs of the Cricket users. Staff will continue to monitor the development and resulting needs of this activity and consider options to meet future needs. Staff would like to acknowledge the efforts and input of the cricket representatives over the past three years in the development of this activity in the community. Respectfully submitted, Doug Pladsen Charlotte O Hara-Griffin Recreation Planner Supervisor of Park Planning & Development (905) 335-7600 ext. 7627 (905) 335-7600 ext. 7488 Appendices: A. B. Notifications: (after Council decision) Name Hamilton & District Cricket League Sport Field Users Mailing or E-mail Address Approvals: *required *Department City Treasurer General Manager City Manager
Page 8 of Report PR-36-12 Committee Disposition & Comments Council Disposition & Comments To be completed by the Clerks Department 01-Approved 02-Not Approved 03-Amended 04-Referred 06-Received & Filed 07-Withdrawn 01-Approved 02-Not Approved 03-Amended 04-Referred 06-Received & Filed 07-Withdrawn