New option for sports centre

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

To accommodate soccer and lacrosse, and offer Strathmore versatility within the Strathmore Motor Products Sports Centre, town council recently supported a proposed option for the installation of sport flooring on the facility’s large field, as well as removable turf and removable boards, and to have it brought back to council with additional information and cost.
After discussions with the two anticipated main user groups of the facility – soccer and lacrosse – revealed that their needs no longer aligned, Strathmore town administration presented council with a different option to meet the various needs.
Administration informed council that soccer teams are leaning towards an open non-boarded style of play with a longer style of turf to mimic outdoor play – preferences that don’t line up with those of lacrosse teams.
In order to accommodate both sports, council was presented with the options of sport flooring on the large playing surface located on the northeast corner of the building, and installation of a removable board product and removable non-adhesive turf product that can lay on top of the sport flooring.
“The thinking of this type of rubberized floor is so you can put stuff on top and make it more versatile and then you can remove it, but they’re both safe surfaces to play on regardless of the sport,” said James Thackray, chief administrative officer with the Town of Strathmore. “The more flexibility we can put into our model, the better off we are; and that means we need more options for play surfaces and (to) accommodate as many groups as we can to program the place.”
While administration was unable to provide council with costs at the Nov. 21 regular council meeting, Thackray did say the town is expecting a price tag of roughly $500,000.
The sport flooring provides flexibility – holes can be drilled in order to set up netting for badminton, pickleball and volleyball – and is durable enough to accommodate trade shows and ceremonies.
While council questioned the removable boards in relation to cost and manpower hours, council seemed pleased with the option of the sport floor and removable turf.
“I really like the idea of the sport flooring; I think the more versatility we bring to the area is great and there’s a focus here of attracting different groups with this kind of flooring, so I think that’s just brilliant,” said Councillor Bob Sobol.
Tracy Simpson, director of community and protective services with the Town of Strathmore, also added two cost-saving options: forego the sport flooring, or utilize the donation of a used turf product by the soccer organization for the next 18 months to provide the town with an opportunity to fundraise. The option would mean the town would have no warranty on the product. Simpson also spoke about other risks involving a 10- to 15-year product life expectancy once installed.
“I like the fact that we are actually trying to accommodate all sports in this,” said Councillor Melanie Corbiell. “Even if this is in the $500,000 league, we could use the turf that they have, even if it saves us two years or a year-and-a-half; at least it’s money that we don’t have to spend now. If soccer is going to be using it and they’re the ones donating it, I can’t see it being crappy.”
Council had previously been offered two other options. The first option proposed two playing surfaces with a small field and a boarded, large, short-turfed lacrosse and soccer field. This option poses challenges on the expansion for soccer 7on7 play and other field sports, including baseball, rugby and football.
The second option was no boards and a removable turf product to be used on the large playing area. This option, however, limits the ability to host lacrosse games but would provide an opportunity for other users and would accommodate trends in soccer. This option also provides a chance for tradeshows and banquets without damage to the floor.
With the third option, council agreed the facility would offer more flexibility and accommodate both main user groups. Funding would largely be made up of the Town of Strathmore contributing half, and a quarter donation coming from each of the major users and corporate sponsors. Council voted unanimously to support the third option, and have it returned to council with additional information and financial details.