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The new Goderich Recreation Park!
Located in the heart of "Canada's Prettiest Town", the land that makes up Goderich's Agricultural Park was secured by the Town in 1886 with baseball diamonds constructed in 1952 and 1979 and a soccer pitch built in 1979. The park is a highly valued space in the lives of families and youth in our community. However, with generations of use, the facilities are well past the end of their lifespan. A long-awaited revitalization project for upgrades to the park is now underway to renew this important public space for everyone in our local community to enjoy.
The Goderich Recreation Park Revitalization Committee fundraised and met the goal of opening a new and revitalized community park in 2019. The park is open to everyone including visitors and tourists to our beautiful town. The revitalized space has been designed as an active park for our local baseball and soccer communities, skate park enthusiasts, children, youth and families.
What is at the new park? |
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. |
The Design Process |
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. |
Estimated Project Costs |
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. |
Benefits to the Community |
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. |
Construction Schedule |
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. |
GODERICH RECREATION PARK
The Goderich Recreation Park Revitalization Committee would like to extend our thanks to everyone
who has pledged their support for the park project. Once again, you have proven how much you care
for your community. Your generous financial support will help create a revitalized park that will
be a centrepiece of recreation for our children, youth and families for generations to come.
A special thank you to Kraft Heinz and TSN for the opportunity to participate in 2017’s Kraft Heinz
Project Play contest. We were thrilled with the amazing amount of support we received from our
businesses, organizations and the people of Goderich and surrounding areas. We are especially
grateful to everyone who nominated or voted for the Recreation Park and for the support we received
from Zehrs Goderich whose staff worked tirelessly to promote our nomination. Our incredible
$250,000 grand prize win could not have happened without you.
To our local service clubs, organizations and businesses, and to the individual donors who have
supported us from the first day of our campaign, our sincerest thanks. We have been overwhelmed by
your incredible generosity. We truly live in an amazing community. Contributions are still
gratefully accepted.
Cornerstone ($100,000 +)
Goderich Lions Club
Major ($50,000 - $99,999)
ERTH Power Corporation/Goderich Hydro
Goderich Kinette Club
Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation – in memory of Hunter Costello
Hyundai of Goderich
Kinsmen Club of Goderich
Murray’s Rona
Rotary Club of Goderich
Leadership ($20,000-$49,999)
Goderich Self Storage
Dr. Bruce and Betty Thomasson
Zehrs Goderich
Principal ($10,000 - $19,999)
ABC Investments
Blue Water Body and Fender and Staff
B.M. Ross and Associates
Bruinsma Excavating Ltd.
Conlon Family
Edward Fuels
Goderich Elevators (P & H) are proud to support this community project
Goderich Oldtimers Soccer
Goderich Toyota
Huronia Med-E-Ox Ltd
IODE Maple Leaf Chapter
Jack Thom Distributor Ltd.
Knights of Columbus
Legion Ladies Auxiliary Branch 109
McGee Motors Ltd a Martyn McGee Company
Microage Basics
Adam, Julie, Bennett & Eric Moore
The Noel Family
NRStor and Hydrostor
Takalo & Burt
Unifor 16-0
Sustaining ($5,000 - $9,999)
A.D.S. Asphalt Paving and Family
Trevor, Jill and Brock Bazinet
Baseball Ontario and ICBA
Beach Street Station
BMO Bank of Montreal
Boston Pizza Goderich
Christy Macdonald Charity Golf Tournament
Coldwell Banker Goderich
Donnelly Murphy Lawyers Professional Corporation
Eastlink
Fisher Glass and Mirror
Frank Cowan Company
Gardiners of Goderich
Goderich Pirates Senior AA Hockey Team
In Memory of Nathalie Gordon
Homefield Group – Royal LePage Heartland Realty – Jeff Bauer, Kathy Dawson and Rick Lobb
Hurontel
Ideal Supply
Gerd, Astrid, Sebastian, Anna and Leandra Keller
The Sales and Office staff of K.J. Talbot Realty Inc. are proud to make a contribution to the
Revitalization Project of the Goderich Recreation Park
MacEwan & Feagan Insurance Brokers
Maitland Valley Marina Limited from the Peever Family & Maitland Valley Staff
Mr. Heat N Cool Ltd
Myles & Cathy Murdock Orr Insurance & Investment
Park House
The Scholl Family
Skate Park Committee
West Coast Blues Winterfest Committee
Partner ($1,000 - $4,999)
3 on 3 Goderich Spring Hockey
Bluewater Carpet & Tile – Mark Chisolm
Bushwacker Hockey
Canada Company Baseball Team 1975-85
Mary & Paul Carroll
Compass Minerals
Michael & Jane Dawson
Drs. Paul Gill and Katayun Treasurywala
Goderich Carwash
Goderich Grizzlies Fastball Team
Goderich Men’s Slo-Pitch League
Pauline & Ed Laithwaite
Lighthouse Money Management Inc.
Market Square Dental
In Memory of Rae Mathers
The McAuley Family
Larry and Denese McCabe
Mike Palmer, In memory of Mayor: Eileen Palmer
Gerry & Louise Pitre
David B. Ross – Class of GDCI – 1975
Skate Park Committee w/Libro Credit Union
Mike & Cathy Strickland
The Co-operators
The Tigert Family
Truly Nolen Goderich
Virtual High School in Bayfield supports the Goderich Recreation Park plan to create a vibrant,
healthy space for all to use
Weed Man Goderich
Peter and Vanessa Willis
Chip and Sandy Wilson
Supporting ($20-$999)
Angels Ladies Ball Team
Babes Ball Team
Bad Decisions Ball Team
Bait & Tackle Ball team
Becky & Gene Bender
Carquest of Goderich
Hassan Chamas (Goderich Oldtimers Soccer)
Here for the Beer Ball Team
Tim Clancy
Bob Dick (Canada Company Ball Team)
Linda and Duncan Jewell
Glen & Vanda McNeil
Memphis Belles Ball Team
Tom O’Brien (Canada Company)
Oddball Ladies Slopitch
Offside Slopitch
Mike Palmer, GDCI Class 1975
Mike Palmer, Canada Company
Dave & Lori Rounds
Ernst Tafeit
Tim Hortons Hot Drink Sales
Leo & Karen Van Der Voort (Goderich Oldtimers Soccer)
Other Valued Donors
Stephen & Betty Bidwell
Capital Power
Chris & Tiffaney Kittmer
Maitland Valley Family Health Team Staff
May McConville Insurance Brokers Ltd.
This project is also partially funded by Federal Gas Tax