support a third pad, after which a space plan/concept drawing will be prepared on which to base capital and operating costs estimates. Tracks for walking (and running) provided around the ice pad perimeter are becoming more common features. They offer year- round access to safe facilities/conditions for self-directed or group fitness and can better serve people with mobility concerns. Consideration should be given to including an indoor track with the development of a third pad. The study should also consider adding a third pad as an opportunity to improve the number, design and accessibility/inclusivity of change rooms, storage, etc. to be located and shared by one of the existing pads and the new ice surface. The study would also identify the need to acquire adjacent properties to accommodate a larger building, given the potential for other facility additions at the Community Centre, as discussed in section 3.2.2. Ice allocation is an annually negotiated process that requires compromise on the part of all users to arrive at workable solutions. The Town’s commitment is to both maximize ice use with and align it with its Sports Allocation Policy that puts the needs of youth ahead of adult groups by scheduling minor sports programs in earlier time blocks. At the same time, historically entrenched allocation patterns, and limits to extending the ice-in season due to
The appendix tables that record prime time used for the 2023/24 season show that, although scheduled time often fell short of that requested, the difference was often minimal, and it appears that all users received the bulk of hours requested. However, shortages in requests vs. unused prime time are not directly comparable due to the efforts of the Town to provide users with blocks of time that are closest to those requested, even if it requires a smaller final allocation to accommodate all groups. In addition to current shortfalls, four of the five groups in Table 3-2 anticipate growth in the next 5 to 10 years, and one expects to remain stable. Tillsonburg Ringette and Minor Hockey specified that increased participation will translate into need for more ice time. Aside from other influences on participation trends, population growth alone will generate additional local participation in ice sports. At current population, the population-based supply of ice pads in Tillsonburg is one for every 9,750 residents (19,503/2). For planning purposes, applying this ratio to projected growth to 2034 indicates the need for a total of 2.8 ice pads (27,514/9,750) or one additional pad. In anticipating the need for a third ice pad, the Town should commission a feasibility study in the short-term to confirm requirements for facility development, and to support funding applications. The feasibility study should include a needs assessment as a first step, to be able to determine programming/use requirements and whether or not it is sufficient to
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Town of Tillsonburg | DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan
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