Goderich Recreation Park Revitalization Committee

Baseball

The plan includes one hardball diamond and two softball diamonds in a tournament design.  These three new diamonds, along with the existing diamond at GDCI, will give Goderich the opportunity to increase play and provide a venue to host additional and larger tournaments.  Ball diamond surfaces will see significant improvement so that they are safe, playable and serviceable.  The design includes bleachers, team benches, and LED lighting.

Soccer

The plan also includes a soccer pitch on a north-south orientation with a crowned field.  Perimeter fencing with draping behind the goal posts will facilitate competitive league play.  Bleachers, covered team benches, and lights are included in the design.

Skate Park

An in-ground / in-ground skate park is being built within 14,000 square feet of space with room for future expansion.  This will be a preferred and unique destination for BMX bikers, scooters, in-line skaters and skateboarders in Huron County and beyond.

Playground

The park will include a playground for children to use not only while their siblings and friends are participating in sports, but for every day family use as well.

Pavilion

A multi-use pavilion in a central location will serve as a covered viewing area for spectators, with electricity and water to promote and enable the hosting of events.

Master Plan

The plan for the revitalized park was developed over a number of years with extensive community input. 

Originally conceived as part of Goderich's Master Plan for recreation (2005-2006), the final design includes the essential elements of the preferred master plan, updated for current usage and recreation trends. 

This design provides increased access and playability for the baseball and soccer communities and other field users, long-awaited permanent skate park facilities, an accessible children's playground, storage space, washrooms, shelter, improved green space, and picnic facilities for everyone's use.

The tender for the park, along with two Requests for Proposals were received by Council on October 10, 2017 and referred to the Recreation Park Revitalization Committee for review and recommendations.  The final tender and designs were approved by Goderich Town Council at their meeting on October 23, 2017.

Baseball and Soccer

All elements of the park were designed based on consultation with affected users. The design of the hardball diamond and softball diamonds was based on feedback from local men's, ladies and co-ed leagues including fastball, baseball, softball, and slo-pitch, as well as consultation with Goderich Minor Baseball and coaches from GDCI.  The design of the soccer pitch was chosen based on input from local men's and ladies' soccer leagues, Goderich Minor Soccer and coaches from GDCI.  The tender was awarded to Birnam Excavating Ltd. after confirmation that all relevant specs were met.

Skate Park

The Goderich Skate Park Committee conducted an on-line survey in the spring of 2017 requesting input on the preferred design for the park.  The results of this public survey, as well as general input from the community, were included in the RFP for the skate park design.  Specific input was provided by the Skate Park Committee, the Rotary Club of Goderich, Goderich's Recreation Board of Management, the YMCA, and Town Administration.  The final design, submitted by New Line Skateparks, was chosen by the Goderich Recreation Park Revitalization Committee after considering all proposals submitted to the Town.

Playground

The playground design, submitted by Play Power Canada, was chosen by the Recreation Park Committee after consultation with the Recreation Board of Management, the YMCA and Town Administration with the goal of building an accessible park with a universal design. The Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation also provided input on preferred, accessible design elements.

Based on estimates provided by BM Ross Engineering, in the spring of 2017 Goderich Town Council approved a $3,030,000 project plan to revitalize Ag Park.

After tenders were received, the estimate for the total cost of the project has come in at $3,647,000.

The project is being financed by the Town of Goderich via reserved funds allocated for recreation, grants and budget allocations of $200,000 per year over a 12-year amortization. 

The Recreation Park Revitalization Committee was originally tasked with raising a minimum $500,000 community contribution towards the project.  This goal has been increased to $1,100,000 to cover the difference between the original estimate and the final budget. As of October, 2017, the committee has raised $800,000.

The Committee continues fundraising, planning and preparing for the project with the knowledge that the path forward must be fiscally appropriate and responsible for all stakeholders, while addressing our community's recreation needs. 

The revitalized space has been designed as an active park for our local baseball and soccer communities, skate park enthusiasts, children, youth, and families.

Upgrades will create a vibrant, healthy space for our whole community.  The redevelopment plan focuses on expanding the use of the Park to include members of our community in both active and passive activities.  These upgrades will promote outdoor activities and healthy lifestyles for every member of our community.

The revitalized park will provide a safe, inclusive and fun space for our youth to practice their skills, meet new friends and enjoy the outdoors.

Our revitalization project will help to address youth health issues by offering a greater number of accessible athletic opportunities.

Our updated park will generate new economic opportunities by bringing additional visitors to our Town who will come to "play" at the park and participate in events.  This will positively impact our local retail and service industries.

Town Administration began working with Birnam Excavating shortly after Council approved their tender.  Demolition/construction at the site began in November 2017.

Construction will continue through 2018.  Field user groups, including the baseball and soccer communities, are currently working towards finding temporary, alternate locations for their 2018 seasons.

The Grand Opening of the new, revitalized park is expected to take place in the spring of 2019.