Chatham-Kent Council gave the green light for a new regional park to be developed along Bear Line Road.
Council approved a series of staff recommendations at their August 14, 2023 meeting.
The approved recommendations, include:
– The preliminary landscape plan for the Regional Park along Bear Line Road be adopted. See it, here.Â
– Further engagement with impacted user groups be conducted to inform future site plan revisions and timelines on phased implementation.
– Up to $2,000,000 in costs to develop Phase 1 of the Regional Park along Bear Line Road be funded from the Community Benefit Contribution Reserve.
– The Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement, satisfactory to the Director, Legal Services, leasing a portion of the Regional Park to Tennis Clubs of Canada and 1000476522 Ontario Inc. for its construction and operation of a year-round domed tennis facility.
– Council authorizes the receipt of money fundraised by Mark and Stephanie Chapados for use towards the domed tennis facility
Ian Clark, manager of parks, recreation and cemeteries, said in a report that in 2022, Mark and Stephanie Chapados made a presentation to Council advocating for the creation of an indoor tennis facility in Chatham.
“Mark and Stephanie Chapados have fundraised for the project and were seeking a contribution from the Municipality of $200,000 for additional capital costs of the facility,” Clark said in his report.
“Council allocated this $200,000 amount in the 2022 budget. On September 26, 2022, Council authorized an agreement with Hydro One Networks. This agreement, in part, included a Community Benefit Contribution where Hydro One pays the Municipality $1-million per year for 10 years for recreational and cultural purposes, to be allocated and distributed by the Municipality.”
Clark said in November 2022, the Municipality conducted a survey on its website requesting ideas from the public on the types of recreational and cultural activities to be considered through the Community Benefit Contribution.
“On November 21, 2022, Council directed administration to finalize a location in Chatham for the Chatham-Kent Pickleball Club to fundraise for a pickleball hub,” Clark added.
“On May 29, 2023, Council approved the donation of 19.5 acres land from St. Clair College of Applied Arts and Technology. The terms of the donation were to allow the Municipality to develop the land into a regional park.”
Clark said the regional park along Bear Line Road will include the name of St. Clair College per the terms of the donation agreement.
The landscape plan is a preliminary plan necessary for administration to develop the detailed site plan, Clark said.
Adoption of this plan will also permit administration to engage in further discussions with impacted user groups to finalize the scope of the specific facilities and timelines for implementation where fundraising is required.
The landscape plan proposes the following assets:
– Indoor tennis dome
– 10 pickleball courts
– Cricket pitch
– Outdoor pitch primarily for rugby
– Two sport courts
– Playground and open play area
– Recreational trail
– Parking lot, washrooms, and maintenance facilities
The full report can be read, here.
