Eastwood Park & Arena 77 James Street N. Suite 400 Public Meeting # 1 Hamilton, ON Wednesday October 5, 2011 L8R 2K3 6:30 – 9.30pm www.hamilton.ca

Public Works Eastwood Arena Community Services 111 Burlington Street East Hamilton

MEETING REPORT #1

This report is a record of proceedings during Public Meeting # 1 held on October 5, 2011 on the future directions for Eastwood Park & Arena.

Meeting began at 6:30 pm

The meeting was attended by the following people:

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC Ninety (90) members from the public signed in on the attendance sheet.

COUNCILLOR’S OFFICE (JF) Jason Farr Councillor Ward 2, City of Hamilton

GUEST SPEAKER (GP) Gerry Potter Chair, Hamilton Minor

CITY STAFF (DLK) Diane LaPointe-Kay Division Director Recreation Community Services, City of Hamilton (HW) Hank Wroblewski Manager, Arena & Stadium Operations, Recreation Community Services, City of Hamilton (BO) Bryan Ozorio Manager of and Community Development, Recreation Community Services, City of Hamilton (SS) Steve Sevor Supervisor of Policy & Sport Development, Recreation Community Services, City of Hamilton (RN) Rob Norman Acting Director of Strategic Planning Public Works, City of Hamilton (SB) Steve Barnhart Acting Manager, Landscape Architectural Services, Public Works, City of Hamilton (LS) Lawrence Stasiuk Project Manager, Landscape Architect, Public Works, City of Hamilton

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

OPEN HOUSE SESSION (6.30 to 7:00pm)

The City prepared six display panels that included air photos of the North End Neighbourhood and Eastwood Park, photos of existing conditions in the park and in the arena, and a discussion plan showing a potential conversion of the diamond to a soccer/ field. The City also had a representative from Recreation Programming who provided programming literature and answered any questions in that regard.

The first portion of the Public Meeting was an opportunity for the public to review the display boards and speak to staff and consultants regarding the information presented on the boards. The following display boards were available for public review:

Display Panels – at meeting and posted to the project website (www.hamilton.ca/LAS)

• Meeting Agenda • Panel no.1 - Park Context (North End air photo) • Panel no.2 - Existing Conditions (Eastwood Park air photo) • Panel no.3 - Site Photos • Panel no.4 - Eastwood Arena Photos • Panel no.5 - Site Photos • Panel no.6 - Soccer & Football Field Layout

FORMAL PRESENTATION (7:00 to 7:40pm)

(See Eastwood Park & Arena Public Meeting # 1 Presentation posted on the website)

Opening Remarks

Councillor Farr welcomed everyone to the public meeting, introduced the city staff, and provided an overview of the agenda as follows: Welcome and Introductions Purpose of the Meeting Background on Eastwood Minor Hockey Eastwood Arena Eastwood Park Potential for Soccer/Football Field Conversion Question & Answer Period Summary Page 2 of 14

Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

Purpose of the Meeting

The purpose of the meeting is: (i) to provide information on the current condition of the arena (ii) to discuss possible future programming ideas for the arena (iii) to discuss the potential to convert the baseball diamonds into a soccer/football field (iv) to provide an opportunity to speak directly with staff; and, (v) to provide comments on the materials provided.

Background on Eastwood Minor Hockey

Gerry Potter provided a summary of the state of minor hockey in Hamilton and the recent history of hockey at Eastwood Arena and why it ceased operations approximately 5 years. He answered questions from the public following his presentation. A summary of the Issues and Concerns are provided below:

• 5 years ago the hockey association closed, as it was not financially viable. • There was decreasing registration especially in young children, which lead to increased costs. • Rising debt for ice rental, therefore the program became too difficult to support. • Eastwood is the tip of the iceberg; there are similar decreases in other lower city hockey associations. • The costs per player are rising, therefore discouraging new participants from joining. • Scott Park and Mohawk Minor also closed this year. Next year all intro and minor development teams will be in Scott Park and Mohawk. • Eastwood organization was not a bad association; the only issue was that the numbers weren’t there. • Hamilton Minor Hockey wants to help re-introduce hockey and recreation back into Eastwood and will work with the City and Community to try and re-introduce Hockey in Eastwood Arena.

Questions and Answers / Comments

Q: The price of hockey is expensive – there is need to try to make it more accessible to everyone. A: The league has a fund to help subsidize a child to play. Policy will not turn a child away.

Comment: Perhaps like a car cruise night, we could consider having a night. Page 3 of 14

Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

Q: Wouldn’t it be cheaper to have hockey here than at the quad pads? A: No. Same cost for all sheets of ice. The City provides a 50% cost subsidy for ice rental.

Comment: A citizen commented that his grandchildren used to come all the way from Ancaster to skate at Eastwood.

Q: So, has there been no hockey at Eastwood for years? A: No, Hamilton Hub league used it up until last year. They're not coming back.

Comment There is still public skating at Eastwood.

Q: How about holding "derby" nights on Fridays? A: We’re recording all ideas tonight.

GP - Reiterates that the Hockey Association will work with any group to foster a revival of hockey at Eastward.

(7:15 – Gerry concludes and leaves for another meeting)

Eastwood Arena & Park

Councillor Farr continued as with the formal presentation. He said there are lots of exciting ideas that will be discussed tonight. We will hear words like "opportunity," "legacy," and "community." We want to get the public’s input on the future of the arena and the park. He thanked the audience for a great turnout. Minutes of tonight’s meeting will be posted on hamilton.ca, as well as, jasonfarr.com.

JF - Introduced the City Representatives and discussed meeting etiquette.

LS - Introduced himself and indicated he will be the project manager for the project and will maintain project notices and the website. Encouraged people to follow up with emails with any other thoughts they have after tonight's meeting. He provided the site context by explaining the orientation and key features of the North End Neighbourhood and Eastwood Park air photos. He identified the location of the combined sewer overflow (CSO) tank in the NE corner of the site.

JF - Told the audience he’s been speaking to Gerry Potter of Minor Hockey, The Kiwanis Boys & Club and the about what to do with hockey at Eastwood. Provided his observations about hockey and indicated his desire to re- introduce hockey into Eastwood Arena. Regular hockey is getting too expensive Page 4 of 14

Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

and many kids say with 6 on 6 hockey, they never had enough opportunities to the puck, so they lost interest. He spoke about the potential for cross rink hockey which is a sport where 2 or 3 games are played simultaneously across the width of the rink. It’s played with 3 players a side and is suitable for the 4 – 10 year old age group. It allows for more playing time can and lead to better skills development.

DLK – Thanked the audience for a great turnout and provided an overview of the condition of Eastwood Arena & Park. What can we do? Are there other ways to use the facility? Arena Currently, the arena is underutilized and we need to focus on what to do and how to better service the community. It is one of the oldest arenas in Hamilton. Upgrades to date: In the last 5 years there have been improvements to the seating, heating, upgraded sound system, washrooms and boilers. Problems: • All City facilities are assessed with a conditions assessment. • This is an aged and tired facility • Building Repairs – electrical, mechanical, and refrigeration need upgrades. • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards – we must make the arena fully accessible. • Need to repair roof boards. • Rust on roof trusses • Steel walls are in poor condition • Need for new lighting and to strive for better energy efficiency. • It will take around $3 million for building repairs to keep in working order; this doesn’t include any major enhancements. • It costs the City about $400,000 to operate the arena for one year when fully programmed. Since major users are not here, there are reduced operation costs as the City is not staffing the arena on non-programming days.

Park Current park features: 2 tee balls diamonds – 2 baseball diamonds, 1 soccer field. There is need for feedback on how the park is working, what people don’t like and do like. We are also involved with the PanAm Games initiatives and have an opportunity to place a new high quality soccer/football field on Eastwood Park. We need to hear opinions from the citizens.

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

Issues The key issues presented include:

1. Eastwood Arena is underutilized and new uses need to be defined to increase its use, better service the community, and if we are to re-establish Eastwood as a vibrant community use facility.

2. Eastwood Arena has some serious building condition problems that could cost $3 million dollars for basic improvements. The future uses and programming demand need to be determined in order to provide the appropriate repairs and modifications and to justify the level of expenditure.

3. Recreation Division has studied the trends in sports. Since 1994, there has been a steady decline in baseball demand. During that same period, there has been a steady increase in soccer demand. In the Outdoor Sport Provision Study to be released in December 2011. Eastwood Park has been identified as a site where the baseball fields should be converted to a soccer field.

4. The current field and seating at Brian Timmis Stadium need to be removed due to the rebuilding of Ivor Wynne Stadium. The City of Hamilton has approved $2.4 million in its capital budget to replace Brian Timmis Facilities.

5. The type of surface and quality of a new soccer/football field, for Brian Timmis needs to be determined. The type of associated facilities, i.e. parking, seating, lighting, need to be discussed.

6. The existing soccer field in the park is situated over a concrete slab that is the roof of the underground combined sewer overflow (CSO) tank. This CSO facility was constructed in 1996 as part of the remedial action plan to improve water quality in Hamilton Harbour. The access doors, access hatches and the control equipment in the park building limit changes in the field size as the building can not be moved without substantial investment.

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

Public Preferences “Straw Poll”

To help the recreation and park planners get a feel of sport preferences, the councillor conducted a quick show of hands or “straw poll” on potential activities in the arena park.

Sport Level of Support 60% of the audience 50% Roller Derby (Indoor) 75% Skateboarding 70% Open Skating 50% 25% 25% Summer Camp 50%

Baseball 50% Soccer 85% Tee ball 50% Football 66% Frisbee 50% General Community / Passive Use 100%

It was noted there was a large representation from the Hamilton Roller Girls team in attendance. The audience was also asked to think of and propose other possible uses for the arena during the Q&A period. • gathering spaces • dance room • activity rooms • children’s indoor play area

The formal presentation ended at 7:40pm

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION (7:40 to 9:00pm)

Q: Is there room to add more trees (wants more shade)? Along the perimeter? A: Yes.

Q: We require traffic lights to cross the street to get to the park. There was a serious accident this morning. There is a need for a safe crossing into the park. A: This suggestion can be referred to our Traffic Section for review.

Comment: Need to expand parking if you expand sports use. There are too many people parking on Mary St.

Comment: Hockey users park on Mary St. because it is close to the arena, rather than use Ferguson Ave. lot.

A: We are not proposing to spend $3 million on the arena at this time. We need to validate the future use and demand and then justify an appropriate capital budget.

Q: How’s the $400k operating cost broken down? A: Largest share is for labour, and the 2nd is utilities. The city currently has reduced staffing at the arena which has reduced the labour costs. The staff costs are directly related to the amount of programming in the arena.

Q: Is the next step to shut down Eastwood Arena if the activity doesn’t increase? A: No we are starting here as a 1st step to find a set of uses to make Eastwood Arena a more useable place. However the Arena could be repurposed for an alternate use.

Q: Is there a difference to operating cost if city has an outdoor rink vs. indoor rink due limited season December – March. A: Yes due to a short season = less cost.

Q: What’s the operating cost if Eastwood did not have ice, i.e. maintain arena with a use on the concrete floor? A: No figures at hand.

Comment: Is there a need for ice at Eastwood? He feels there is. Every year he makes an outdoor use at Beasley Park. It is well used and at times jam- packed. Kids ask, “Where can we skate?” This proves there is a demand for youth hockey. Why not Eastwood?

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

A: There is a need for subsidies to help kids play hockey. Referred back to talks with Bulldogs for some sort of "outreach." City does some subsidizing, but there's a need for additional assistance. The City subsidizes our recreation facilities. There are business people in the city who are interested in helping financially to develop youth hockey in Hamilton.

Comment: There are still costs with ice vs. no ice activities. No ice activities still bring people and makes them active.

A: Even though labour is the greatest cost, it requires more labour for ice management, also utility costs are greater for the refrigeration system.

Q: Are there any other arenas without ice? A: No.

Comment: Roller girls would like to bring back to the arena. There is a need for other sports in the inner City. If no ice, could increase concrete floor type uses, such as programming roller skating, roller derby, figure skating, , indoor playground. Roller derby girls see opportunity if no ice being put in this year, also for simply roller skating. They want regular access to Eastwood instead of trekking to Caledonia for practices.

Q: I understand that Eastwood is a community park and not a city wide park. A: Yes it is a community park that includes features for organized sports, people drive to it. City-wide park class is not about size, it is more about unique features and uses to serve a city-wide population.

Q: I understand community parks need to serve several neighbourhoods, i.e. 20,000 people. Are we talking about changing status to a City-wide park? A: Not necessarily, this is an exploratory process. We’re here to speak about everything. We have an opportunity to build a state of the art facility to replace Brian Timmis field. We can reconfigure the existing sports fields. We do that all the time which doesn’t change classification. We try to adjust to neighbourhood demands and sports demands.

Q: Roller girls practice 3-4 times per week at Eastwood during the non-ice season. They pay for arena use. Why not leave the ice out and increase roller use? Ball hockey is a compatible use. Roller girls are willing to double use. A: Tonight is about getting these kind of ideas.

Q: Why aren’t bathrooms in the park buildings opened up? They’re always locked up when the “supie” (park supervisor) leaves and soccer arrives. Page 9 of 14

Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

Comment: Wants bathroom maintenance improvements. A: We can pass these concerns on to Parks & Facilities Maintenance.

Comment: A gentleman provided some history on the park. Eastwood once had a diamond with bleachers. An outdoor ice surface is now available at Pier 8.

Comment: Boys & Girls Club is not just about hockey; could be multiple activities. Need low to no cost opportunities. Lots of sports to consider not only hockey. Funding is available to address these concerns: says Kiwanis wants to apply, wants to help. There is funding from Hockey Canada to help newcomers to start in hockey. Thanks for this initiative.

Comment: Mobile skatepark; many families won’t let children go to Beasley (Park). Consider a mobile skate park.

Comment: Not the fact that there aren't enough kids, but that they need financial help. Make it more affordable.

Comment: Roller girls need more members and want to expand their season. Current season runs January to September. It’s a competitive league with practice year round skates. Currently have 30 set of girls in 18-40 yrs. Age group. We get asked a lot about creating a junior derby league (9yrs +) and to expand to a men’s derby league. The interest is there. Roller girls would like to expand at Eastwood for this.

Comment: Eastwood was a vibrant place in the old days. Someone said there could be video dance parties and other community events here. You could pick your sport – when he was a kid. Activities included: • • • Ball Hockey • Roller Skating • Dances –with D.J. and bands • At one time there were 6 diamonds, now 4 • Had 33 teams of baseball. Since then, soccer has grown – league by the church had an outdoor pool - a great place.

JF- Let’s talk about the soccer/football PanAm situation Brian Timmis Stadium has to be relocated to accommodate the new Ivor Wynne stadium.

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

LS - Went up to speak and answer comments on soccer/football Issues - $2.4 million in funding is available now from Pan Am. Explained possible soccer and football layout for the park. Potential for a championship soccer field, expanded parking. Ideas are limited because of underground overflow tank. What about bleachers? There are room for them.

SB - Eastwood Park is not slated for redevelopment in the near future. Eastwood Park has been identified in the recreation demand planning as a site for a soccer field. With this Pan Am funding, there is an opportunity to create that field now. Otherwise it will be many years out.

Q: How many stands? A: That hasn’t been determined. Brian Timmis had 5000 seats and was reduced to 2500. The current demand is for 1000 -1500 seats. Not sure at this time what the facility should have, but could possibly use portable bleachers.

Q: Would baseball be gone? A: Not all but a few would be lost, but lots of demand for soccer fields. The north west corner would continue to have a diamond or two.

Q: Concern about fencing of the field and restricting access. Who will use the field? A: These details have not been determined. There are alternatives to fencing such as bollards (posts) placed around the park perimeter that can be explored.

Comment: Concerns about impact on local traffic. Concerns about program permits. Who can use the fields and arena?

Q: Couldn't there be temporary parking on top of overflow tanks? She's also concerned about Burlington traffic. A: We’d have to check the loading on the CSO tank structure and study the traffic impacts.

Comment: Someone wondered about the soccer field: is it for kids or as a replacement for Timmis Field? Says city is sending contradictory messages.

Comment: "Coach" says soccer field would shrink Eastwood Park and make it more restrictive. Why not put Timmis replacement on the West Harbour lands.

Q: What are restrictions for land use over an overflow storage tank? What about rebuilding the existing soccer field, making it larger, and leaving the baseball diamonds? Page 11 of 14

Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

A: We looked at that possibility and found there are many limitations to building over CSO tank. The above ground access doors and service hatches can’t be relocated and limits expansion to the field. The park building that looks like a ship would be in the way and can’t be relocated easily as it houses the mechanical and electrical equipment for the CSO tank operations. There is limited space and relocation costs, but city could look at it and cost it out.

DLK - Talked a bit about the process of determining use & demand in cases such as this. Consider organized sports needs, growth in sports, demographics of the area, trend analysis data and public consultation.

Q: Can we "reprogram" the CSO building? A: Not really; very costly. Comment: Some concerned that too much activity at Eastwood would start to bring property values down.

The city is hoping to increase public skating at arena. Jason agreed that this rink is under-utilized and wants to change that.

Q: How about changing hours of use? Maybe more evening availability?

Q: Questions about expansion time-line. A: Tied to Pan Am Games. Approximately 3 years. The funding model makes sense now to relocate Brian Timmis Field to Eastwood Park.

Q: Somebody asked if relocation was considered to John & Hughson area? A: Yes, but the site is too narrow.

Comment: Leave Eastwood alone. Go to West Harbour.

Q: Would non-ice activities be sustainable? A: Rep from Kiwanis Boys & Girls Club - Likes that people want opportunities for kids. Yes, he says, hockey is gone, but now there's an opportunity for more community use. Chance to introduce kids to new activities, such as roller derby. Invited roller derby girls to do a demo for Kiwanis kids. He says this makeover of Eastward would be a win-win.

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Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

SUMMARY & NEXT STEPS

Closing Remarks

JF: We have a terrific opportunity in front of us. Eastwood Park needs a huge face lift and the funding through PanAm is available now. Spoke of a legacy with the Pan Am scenario as an opportunity to pump $2.4M into Eastwood Park. Called having Eastwood on short list for relocation of Timmis Field an opportunity.

What's next? Keep thinking and keep letting city know their thoughts. Remember, it's all about what you think we need here. Thank you for coming out tonight and sharing your views.

Councillor encouraged the public to complete the comment forms. He encouraged the public to describe what they liked and disliked about the ideas discussed tonight and the park in general. Drop them off or send them in to the City. Comments will be posted on the website.

The city will review the comments and discussions and develop some options to go forward. We’ll bring back these ideas back to the public at another meeting.

Flip Chart Notes

During the discussions, ideas and comments were recorded on a flip chart. These have been reproduced below.

SUGGESTIONS

♦ More trees (shade) ♦ Opportunities for youth safe access to the park ♦ Expand parking with increase in sports use ♦ Control on street parking, particularly on Mary Street ♦ Natural ice in Beasley 40’ x 60’ quite popular ♦ Roller skating ♦ Ball hockey ♦ Access to washrooms ♦ Bennetto lands? ♦ Currently – youth soccer $35 at Eastwood/Tuesday nights ♦ Concern for impacts from increase parking demands and traffic Page 13 of 14

Record of Meeting& Discussions

Project: Eastwood Park & Arena Date of Meeting: October 5, 2011

♦ Community access to fields ♦ Emphasis - Kids ♦ Constraints for overflow parking on CSO field ♦ Reuse of waterfront purchased lands ♦ Relocation of play area to accommodate soccer to keep ball ♦ Enhancements should not impact property values ♦ Increase hours of rink use to evenings ♦ Volunteers ♦ Maintenance improvements in washrooms ♦ Duplication of ice with West Harbour rink (pier 8) ♦ Low to no cost activity for children in area ♦ Mobile skate park indoors ♦ Offset costs of sports with partners ♦ Roller derby could run all year if space is available ♦ Basketball, video dance ♦ Concern for fencing field that restricts community use

OPEN HOUSE SESSION (9:00pm to 9:30 pm) After the questions and comment session, the public were invited to continue viewing the display boards and to discuss any particular questions they may have with the Councillor and City staff.

Meeting adjourned at 9.30 pm.

Information will be posted on: www.hamilton.ca/LAS click on Eastwood Park link and www.jasonfar.com

Recorded by: Lawrence Stasiuk & Mike Cameron

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