and Hardball #1 at the west limit of the diamonds. A decision on adding an amenity building, however, should be deferred until indoor facility development plans at the Community Centre are finalized, and the implications for outdoor facilities are known. Given all diamonds are effectively used to capacity now during prime time, additional facilities will be required to serve population growth over the term of the Master Plan. Since Annandale #3 is used largely as a softball diamond, it is counted as such in the following calculations, and lit diamonds are assumed to be the equivalent of 1.5 unlit diamonds, in terms of capacity, to determine projected requirements: • Two hardball diamonds (1 lit) are assumed to be the equivalent of 2.5 unlit diamonds in terms of capacity use. At this level of supply, the ratio to current population is one for every 7,800 residents (19,503/2.5). Applying this figure to projected growth to 2034 indicates the need for a total of 3.5 (27,514/7,800) or one additional (unlit) hardball diamond. • Seven softball diamonds (1 lit) are the equivalent of 7.5 unlit diamonds. At this level of supply, the ratio to current population is one for every 2,600 residents (19,503/7.5). Applying this figure to projected growth to 2034 indicates the need for a total of 10.6 (27,514/2,600) or 4 additional (unlit) softball diamonds.
For planning purposes, the Town should anticipate the need for the equivalent of one more unlit hardball diamond and four more softball diamonds to serve population growth during the Master Plan’s term.
Options to providing these diamonds include:
• lighting existing diamonds to increase available evening prime time
• developing a ball diamond complex to provide additional diamonds and accommodate fields potentially lost to an expanded Community Centre. Although a more complex and costly option, there is merit to investigating the potential to develop a ball complex to accommodate both community and regional tournament use. A detailed study should be prepared to determine the number of diamonds by type that would be required in a complex to serve Town needs. A typical minimum is four, but more may be required if replacement of existing diamonds becomes necessary. Ideally, they would be designed to accommodate both junior and adult play, along with the necessary indoor and outdoor amenities to host regional tournaments. Land requirements can be determined based on these findings and additional area needed for parking, buffers, etc. The scope of the study should include facility costs. Except for essential improvements, upgrades to existing ball diamonds that were requested during consultation should be deferred until the complex study is complete.
58
Town of Tillsonburg | DRAFT Parks and Recreation Master Plan
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting