Posted with permission from the Hamilton Spectator
___________________________________________________
August 12, 2016
Hamilton Spectator
By Molly Hayes
City councillors got their first look Thursday at the details of a $3-million plan to convert a former campground into a sports complex at Confederation Beach Park.
The complex will be one phase of a long-term $40-million master plan to enhance the under-utilized beachfront land — one that is envisioned to eventually include a central commercial village, improved trails and boardwalks, public art and other infrastructure improvements.
Construction is set to start next year on the sports complex — but if you're thinking basketball courts and football fields, think again; the plans include a seniors' cricket pitch and pickle ball courts.
"Pickle ball appeals to a broad range of ages," Lawrence Stasiuk, supervisor of the city's landscape architectural services, boasted in his presentation of the report to the public works committee Thursday, which included illustrated maps of the planned development.
Coun. Lloyd Ferguson asked if it would be possible to consider double-painting the courts so that they can also be used for the more familiar sport of tennis. Stasiuk said he would consult the design department.
Overall, councillors expressed excitement about the plan.
A 2013 consultants' feasibility study of the redevelopment plan said that, in its current state, the park — which is owned by the city but managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority — "is a lost opportunity in that existing infrastructure does not function to its full potential to attract visitors to the park, or to generate sales in the park's commercial establishments."
On Thursday, Coun. Tom Jackson called the area a "jewel" and a "tremendous asset," and said he fully supports the proposed investment to boost its potential.
"Many of our citizens don't have the wherewithal to go to Muskoka … this is exactly, in my humble opinion, where the municipal tax dollar gets the greatest bang for its buck."
Coun. Chad Collins — whose ward includes much of the park — praised staff for their work, but questioned the planned location for the "central village," which is set back from the beach.
Collins expressed concern that private restaurateurs or other potential vendors will "want to see the water, the trails. Where this central village is located just doesn't make a lot of sense."
Stasiuk agreed this is something that can be looked at down the road.
Collins also highlighted the importance of factoring Wild Waterworks into the long-term plans.
There were 130,000 visitors to the water park last year, with more than 100,000 so far this year, which is on track to be a record, Stasiuk noted.
While $150,000 has been earmarked for a master plan study of the aging water park next year, none of the $40.76 million has been allocated to actually updating the park's infrastructure.
"Wild Waterworks is an old, aging facility … many of the components there are original to the park, and that is going to come with a price tag," Collins said.
"I want to make sure that's not lost in this whole conversation about what's happening at the park, because as you mention, the $40 million … the water park seems to have been over the years, forgotten."
mhayes@thespec.com
905-526-3214 | @mollyhayes
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6806015-confederation-park-revamp-in-works/
___________________________________________________
August 12, 2016
Hamilton Spectator
By Molly Hayes
City councillors got their first look Thursday at the details of a $3-million plan to convert a former campground into a sports complex at Confederation Beach Park.
The complex will be one phase of a long-term $40-million master plan to enhance the under-utilized beachfront land — one that is envisioned to eventually include a central commercial village, improved trails and boardwalks, public art and other infrastructure improvements.
Construction is set to start next year on the sports complex — but if you're thinking basketball courts and football fields, think again; the plans include a seniors' cricket pitch and pickle ball courts.
"Pickle ball appeals to a broad range of ages," Lawrence Stasiuk, supervisor of the city's landscape architectural services, boasted in his presentation of the report to the public works committee Thursday, which included illustrated maps of the planned development.
Coun. Lloyd Ferguson asked if it would be possible to consider double-painting the courts so that they can also be used for the more familiar sport of tennis. Stasiuk said he would consult the design department.
Overall, councillors expressed excitement about the plan.
A 2013 consultants' feasibility study of the redevelopment plan said that, in its current state, the park — which is owned by the city but managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority — "is a lost opportunity in that existing infrastructure does not function to its full potential to attract visitors to the park, or to generate sales in the park's commercial establishments."
On Thursday, Coun. Tom Jackson called the area a "jewel" and a "tremendous asset," and said he fully supports the proposed investment to boost its potential.
"Many of our citizens don't have the wherewithal to go to Muskoka … this is exactly, in my humble opinion, where the municipal tax dollar gets the greatest bang for its buck."
Coun. Chad Collins — whose ward includes much of the park — praised staff for their work, but questioned the planned location for the "central village," which is set back from the beach.
Collins expressed concern that private restaurateurs or other potential vendors will "want to see the water, the trails. Where this central village is located just doesn't make a lot of sense."
Stasiuk agreed this is something that can be looked at down the road.
Collins also highlighted the importance of factoring Wild Waterworks into the long-term plans.
There were 130,000 visitors to the water park last year, with more than 100,000 so far this year, which is on track to be a record, Stasiuk noted.
While $150,000 has been earmarked for a master plan study of the aging water park next year, none of the $40.76 million has been allocated to actually updating the park's infrastructure.
"Wild Waterworks is an old, aging facility … many of the components there are original to the park, and that is going to come with a price tag," Collins said.
"I want to make sure that's not lost in this whole conversation about what's happening at the park, because as you mention, the $40 million … the water park seems to have been over the years, forgotten."
mhayes@thespec.com
905-526-3214 | @mollyhayes
http://www.thespec.com/news-story/6806015-confederation-park-revamp-in-works/