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A proposed “regional sports park” in south London would meet a growing demand for fields in the city and be a boon to tourism, city councillors say.
Members of city council’s planning and environment committee voted unanimously on Tuesday to endorse a rezoning of a 13.5-hectare property at 3640 Dingman Dr., near where highways 401 and 402 meet, to allow for the development of the facility proposed by city staff.
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“This has generated a lot of interest from the community, which I think gives us an indication that while housing obviously is our focus here . . . these other things make cities livable and great,” committee chair Steve Lehman said.
Though the exact features of the park would be decided after public consultations next year, it is intended to include multiple sports fields with lights, washrooms and parking lots, a staff report says.
The proposal comes as the city seeks to update its parks and recreation master plan from 2019, mostly to rework its “out-of-date” growth projections.
The London-region, one of the fastest growing in the country, is projected to swell to a population of around 880,000 in the next 25 years.
Deputy mayor Shawn Lewis, vice-chair of the committee who also sits on the Tourism London board of directors, said the proposed park would be an economic boon for the city.
“I think it will also provide some great space in the future as we see more development in that part of the city,” he said.
Referencing an article from The London Free Press about London’s senior high school football championship being played in St. Thomas because of a lack of facilities, Coun. Corrine Rahman said football goal posts and artificial turf fields should be on the list of amenities.
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“Creating more opportunities for that is also really key to keep athletes that play and live in the city, in the city for championship games and things like that,” she said.
The property is beside Try Recycling centre. A representative for the centre spoke to politicians about the company’s support for the project, and the need for landscaping and fencing to keep players and fans from trespassing.
“Try Recycling operates a heavy industrial use right next door,” said Matt Campbell, a partner with Zelinka Priamo. “We want to make sure that no one is crossing over.”
Though staff already recommended exploring a landscaped buffer along the eastern boundary, a motion from Lewis directs staff to look at a privacy fence, also.
The facility would be the second of its kind in London. City Wide Sports Park, on Commissioners Road near Highbury Avenue, has two baseball diamonds and two artificial turf fields, one for soccer and one for football.
The rezoning will need the approval of council during the next regular meeting on Nov. 26.
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