Transcript Community Working Committee Presention

City of Richmond
Parks, Recreation & Cultural
Services Committee
June 28, 2005
Presentation by an
Alliance of 13 Richmond
Soccer Associations
Proposal for New Soccer Fields
Strategy and Facilities
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Define a new partnership with the City, built on the
City’s ‘Guiding Principles’.
A cooperative, inclusive approach, endorsed by
Richmond Sports Council.
Provide fields better meeting current needs.
Improve the parks experience of the overall
Community - sport and non-sport users.
Strategy and Benefits
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Build a “Richmond Training Centre” with 4 artificial
turf fields.
Reduce the number of grass fields required by
nearly 50, freeing up 40 acres of park space.
Reduce chronic, documented over-use and
damage to grass fields - restore sustainability.
Improve quality of diamonds for summer sports.
Improve availability and quality of playing fields
for other community user groups.
Reduce City costs to restore over-used fields.
Everybody Wins!
13 Richmond Soccer Associations
Fall-Winter
Richmond Youth Soccer (Boy’s - incl. West / South Arm/ North / Central)
Richmond Girls Soccer
Richmond Senior Soccer League (Men’s)
Richmond Women’s Soccer
Vancouver Metro Men’s (Richmond teams)
Total Fall/Winter
1,550
1,000
600
240
180
3,570
Spring/Summer
Richmond Youth Soccer (Co-ed)
Richmond Women’s Soccer
Richmond 6 a-side Men’s League
Richmond Regional Soccer League (Men’s)
Richmond Recreational League (Men’s)
BC Christian Soccer League (Men’s: Richmond teams)
Total Spring/Summer
500
200
160
220
200
50
1,330
Soccer in Richmond
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3,700 fall/winter players, 1,300 spring/summer.
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Two-thirds are youth; of which 40% are female.
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Steady growth - 23% in last ten years.
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Growth due to women’s and girls’ participation.
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Volunteer-run, >50,000 hours per year.
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Field Needs:
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Adequate lit fields for practices.
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Good quality, safe fields for all games.
Soccer Fields in Richmond
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2 artificial turf (AT), 17 ‘sand’, 75+ clay.
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Shortage of sand fields.
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10 sand fields lit for practice use.
 Lit sand fields chronically over-used.
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Recommended use = 12 hours/wk.
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Current use = 32 hours/wk.
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Superb in October, but decay rapidly.
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Poor for 2nd half of season and summer sport.
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$15,000 each to maintain/restore.
Hrs/Week
40
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
Current Model
(Overuse)
Safe Use
2
AT
10
7
75 +
(21+ not used)
Lit
Sand
Unlit
Sand
Clay
….
….
Hrs/Week
40
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
Current Model
(Overuse)
Safe Use
2
AT
40
36
32
28
24
20
16
12
8
4
10
7
75 +
(21+ not used)
Lit
Sand
Unlit
Sand
Clay
….
….
Proposed Model
4 New
AT
47 Fields
Released
Safe Use
Fields
2
AT
10
7
Lit
Sand
Unlit
Sand
30 ….
Clay
Richmond Fields: Possible Releases Example
City-Owned
School-Owned
Other
Fields Strategy Benefits
for Soccer
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4 new AT fields
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Weekday practices and weekend games.
Most practices on AT surfaces
Most games on AT and sand fields + better clay.
Field usage sustainable  remain good quality.
Restore Minoru Oval to ‘showcase’ facility.
Meet needs until 2011, e.g., until major DFO facility.
Fields Strategy Benefits
for Community
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Release of 47 fields - 40 acres - for other uses.
Improved playing surfaces for summer sports.
Reduced community friction re small fields.
Facility available for other sports, community use,
schools, etc.
Attract tournaments, e.g., Provincial Cups, for
opportunity, recognition and financial benefit.
Location, Dates, Costs
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Site requirements - 8-10 acres.
Focused on concept, not a specific location.
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Fall 2006 target completion.
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Ideally West of No. 4 Road. Ideally at one site.
Options include DFO, South Arm, Hugh Boyd, others.
Or Plan and Phase 1 in ‘06, build-out in ‘08.
New lit AT field = $1.5 million  $6.0 million.
Economies of four  $5.0 million. Plus $1.0 for building.
Parks Dept. may recommend for 2006 capital spending.
Soccer groups’ contribution, possible partnering, grants.
Broad community benefits  City discretionary funds.
Richmond’s Soccer
Associations’ Commitment
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Contribute $250,000 capital.
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Pay annual maintenance fees of $140,000.
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$80 per youth, $40 per adult.
Close to half maintenance costs.
Annual fees: Youth - $30 : Adults - $45.
Seek further sponsorship and external contributions.
Next Steps
The delegation respectfully requests that the Parks,
Recreation & Cultural Services Committee:
• Endorse this proposal in principle;
• Refer it to staff for review and recommendations
regarding implementation, and;
• Require these recommendations be returned to
Committee/Council for final approval by
September 2005.