The Oceanside Minor Lacrosse Association would like to see some improvements to the lacrosse box in the Parksville Community Park.
Parksville council heard a presentation by the association which highlighted the box’s aging condition, which has led to safety concerns, as well as the fact it is slightly smaller than regulation size.
“There’s issues with the boards and the chain link as well in terms of safety,” said Greer Cummings, representing the association during council’s July 17 meeting. “So (city) staff has indicated to us that they may be able to help us with at least those immediate concerns.”
The minor and senior lacrosse associations would like to see a resurfaced and expanded box, which would allow more competitive divisions to use it. Longterm, they hope for a roof that would allow play in all weather conditions. The presentation indicated the associations believe they could fundraise between $500,000 and $1 million.
The city has replaced several damaged boards boards, according to a presentation by Belinda Woods, director of operations, but staff wanted council direction as far as repainting lines, court reconfiguration and possible expansion of a few metres to make it regulation size.
Part of the difficulty is balancing the lacrosse needs with pickleball and basketball players, who also access the box, Woods said. Pickleball players are not fond of the court orientation, but changing that direction would put their lines in conflict with the lacrosse players’ request of having their creases free of other sport lines.
“All signs are pointing to the possibility that the size of the lacrosse box and the orientation of things are not serving our community the best we wish it to be,” Woods said.
Another concern is the box’s location in an archaeologically sensitive area. Making new fence holes and moving the basketball hoops requires digging, which city staff want to minimize.
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A resurfacing project alone would cost approximately $90,000, close to 10 per cent of an expansion project’s budget, Woods pointed out and added it could be prudent to wait to resurface until a larger scoped project is identified.
Coun. Adam Fras pointed out that pickleball and basketball players have numerous other locations to choose from, but this is the only outdoor facility dedicated to lacrosse. Lacrosse is also played indoors at Oceanside Place and the curling rink when they are available.
After considerable council discussion, and nearing the end of a seven hour-long meeting, the city’s chief administrative officer, Keeva Kehler, suggested council could have staff come back with options and costs.
Council voted to have staff look at the implications and costs of an expanded lacrosse box, new boards, fencing and safety considerations.
The motion also directed staff to investigate noise mitigation strategies for pickleball and new options for pickleball courts and basketball hoops in that expanded box. A contract for the resurfacing will not be issued until council has that report.
The motion was carried unanimously.
The Oceanside Minor Lacrosse Association has approximately 100 to 150 registrants each year for the box season, with another 25 to 50 in the senior association.
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