Central Huron Council hears location options for new sports pad

BY SHAWN LOUGHLIN

Central Huron Council has not made a final decision on the creation of a new sports pad in Clinton, but did hear a number of location options on Monday night from Facilities Manager Steve Duizer for a project that could be included in next year’s budget.

 

Duizer presented the report to council at its Monday night meeting. This came after council requested more information and several options from staff after deciding not to build a new pool in Clinton to replace the aging pool that has been closed for several years and will now be demolished and the land renaturalized.

 

Duizer presented council with four options, complete with pros and cons for each site.

 

The first is Hawkins Park. The park is underutilized, he said in his report, and the size of the space in question could accommodate a pad with two pickleball courts and a small basketball court, if that was council’s desire. However, he noted that the park is in close proximity to several residential backyards and, without a parking lot, the nearby side street could be impacted if a sports pad is created there.

 

The second option was Kinsmen/Kinette Park. Its circumstances mirror those of Hawkins Park, in that it is another area that appears to be underutilized, but could accommodate a large pad, yet it is in close proximity to several yards and parking could be an issue as the existing parking lot at the park is not owned by the municipality.

 

The third option would be a new sports pad at Central Huron Secondary School. He noted that, while a double tennis court pad is already in place at the school, it would require a full pad replacement, as well as net post replacement and some fencing repairs. 

 

He said that while an agreement to share construction costs, maintenance and define the terms of use could potentially be reached with the Avon Maitland District School Board, the final design could end up being a school board decision and the location at the rear of the school could limit residents’ usage during school hours.

 

The final option would be a new sports pad near the Clinton Raceway and Central Huron Community Complex, located on the large green space between the arena’s upper driveway and the casino. 

 

He said the area could accommodate a pad with two pickleball courts and a small basketball court and it would be approximately 150 metres from the closest residence with ample parking. He also noted that the area is near the rear of the raceway barns, so he didn’t anticipate any impact on horse training or raceway operations.

 

Duizer noted that, if council were to select a location for a new sports pad, the project could be included in next year’s budget deliberations. 

 

However, council did not make a decision at the time and instead received the report for information purposes and will revisit it at a later date.