City councilors are backing plans to build a $20-million indoor sports facility next to Earl Haig Family Fun Park.
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Brantford councilors unanimously supported the proposal at a Tuesday committee meeting. Their decision will come up for approval when city council meets Oct. 29.
“I wish we had brought this to council two years ago,” Coun. Gino Caputo said. “There are a lot of families in Brantford asking why we don’t have a facility like this already.”
Caputo said many city athletes have to travel to Woodstock, Ancaster or Hamilton to train in their sport over the winter.
“This will show the community that we really care about minor sports,” Coun. Richard Carpenter said. “The next step will be upgrading our (sports) fields.”
Coun. Dan McCreary said Tuesday’s vote in support of an indoor facility next to Earl Haig reminded him of council’s decision to apply for government funding for the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center many years ago.
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“That started a process that provided something pretty doggone good for this community,” McCreary said. “It’s something nice that we’re embarking on.”
Plans call for the city to apply to the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Fund to help cover the cost of the proposed sports facility. The city will also apply to the provincial Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund for funding.
Prior to the vote and discussion, councilors heard from Randy Meggs, president of Brantford Minor Baseball, and Scott Coleman, operations manager for Brantford City Soccer Club. Both spoke about the need for local athletes to be able to practice their sport year round.
Coleman said everyone associated with the club works hard to provide local players an opportunity to excel to the best of their ability.
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“However, we’ve run up against a wall with one major constraint impeding further growth of not only soccer and our local athletes – the lack of an indoor sports facility,” Coleman said.
Brantford has good outdoor facilities, Coleman said, but without access to indoor training facilities local sports associations and athletes are heavily disadvantaged.
Local sports associations are suffering from a talent drain as the highest caliber athletes must look to join teams elsewhere, Coleman said.
An indoor sports facility would make a world of difference to kids dreaming of becoming professional athletes, Coleman said.
Plans call for the Equal Ground Community Garden in the field beside Earl Haig to be moved to Woodman Park Community Center. The city is building a greenhouse at the community center on Gray Street.
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During the discussion Tuesday, Coun. Mandy Samwell brought forward a proposal calling for the improvement of Earl Haig including the maximization of green space, amenities and community garden space.
Samwell supported the plan to have the “much needed” indoor facility on the property adjacent to Earl Haig.
But she also wanted to include green space and a community garden on the property. The idea met with opposition from other councilors and was defeated by a vote of 4-6.
“Earl Haig Park can’t be all things to all people,” said Mayor Kevin Davis.
“We need to be focused on what we want to do there.”
Davis said community gardens take up a lot of space and would force the city to compromise on the indoor sports facility, which should be the focus.
But Samwell said the property can be and should be all things to all people as much as possible because it’s going to be a city facility.
“It’s important to look at what it could be for everyone and this doesn’t take away anything from anyone,” Samwell said.
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