- Soccer league, minor baseball express need to move project forward -
by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative
Council for the Town of Essex supported submitting an application into the Province’s Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF) for the development of the new Essex Centre Sport Fields during the September 16 meeting.
Should the Town of Essex be successful in receiving 50% of all eligible CSRIF costs submitted, there is a maximum of $10,000,000.
The project budget is $16,779,937.04.
Knowing that, Council confirmed funding for the remaining $8,389,968.52 of the total project cost through the funding model presented at the meeting, if the application is successful.
Jake Morassut, Director of Community Services, spoke of how potentially getting the grant could be a transformative opportunity for the community.
He noted the project would enhance local infrastructure and invest in the community’s future.
“The Town of Essex has an opportunity to secure funding to address pressing needs that have been shown from user-groups and residents,” Morassut told Council. Getting the funding would elevate the Town’s recreation tourism opportunity, as well.
“For years, Essex has faced a critical shortage of sports facilities,” he added.
Current infrastructure in Essex Centre for sports fields includes four soccer fields – two for senior and two for junior players, and four baseball diamonds – one of which is suitable for teens and adults.
Morassut noted how the 2015 and 2023 Recreation Master Plans both highlighted this shortage and need to address the matter.
Costs for the Essex Centre Sports Fields, being developed at Batten Side Road and North Malden, would include for general site work, sports facilities for baseball and soccer, artificial turf, parking and access roads, pathways, maintenance yard and buildings, canteen and washrooms, play areas, and site serving.
“Its more than just a sports field, it is an investment in vitality and growth of Essex Centre,” Morassut said. “It will serve the community for decades.”
Director of Corporate Services, Kate Giurissevich, explained the proposed funding model to be submitted with the application.
The Town’s 50% of funding, if successful in getting the grant, would come from the Land Acquisition Reserve in the amount of $780,000 and $7.5M from the Development Charges Reserve, paid for by developers to support growth-related projects.
It is anticipated by the time the funds are needed, the Land Acquisition Fund will have the dollars required.
Giurissevich added the Development Charges Reserve currently has $2.2M, of which $1M would go towards the project. An internal debt amount would then be $6.5M. From there, the Landfill Reserve would fund the Development Charges Reserve. As Development Charges are collected from developers, the Landfill Reserve will be paid back.
An internal scenario eyed a 20-year pay back to the Land Fill Reserve. That would be reliant on growth, which will dictate the pace of the payback.
If the Town of Essex is successful in obtaining the grant, a finalized funding model would be determined at that time.
CAO Doug Sweet noted it is not clear when the next grant opportunity would be. It is anticipated there would be a three-to-four-month turnaround to learn who is successful for the CSRIF.
Representatives of the Essex Optimist Recreational Soccer League and Essex Minor Baseball also approached Essex Council at the meeting.
Cassandra Finn, President of the Essex Optimist Recreational Soccer League, spoke of concerns of the grass planted at the future site. She noted the importance of going about the project in the right way, and ensuring the proper amenities are added.
She noted Essex Optimist Recreational Soccer League is interested in helping to fundraise. With the better space, the club can offer more opportunities for members and in hosting tournaments.
“Let’s do this right. Let’s be the talk of the county for the right reasons,” she said.
Joseph Grondin from Essex Minor Baseball also spoke of the need for the complex. He noted baseball diamonds have been lost in the past and how that drove adult leagues from the area. He said he first approach Essex Council in 2008 about the need for more facilities.
Grondin was there to help expedite the process.
User-groups will be asked to support the grant with letters.
Mayor Sherry Bondy also spoke of the need to go after naming rights, as well.