Council here has given its approval to place a beach volleyball court in ABC park in Drayton.
Council approved a recommendation from its parks and recreation committee that a local volunteer group, guided by township staff, build a beach volleyball court at the ABC Park in Drayton at no cost to the municipality.
The committee minutes noted there was one person opposed and one abstained from voting on the motion, which was carried.
Councillor Jim Curry told council there is a core group in the township of young adults that want the court and asked for one a few weeks ago. He noted the only other option they had was the Racquets Club in Elora for beach volleyball.
Curry said there used to be such a court at the agricultural facility in the town several years ago, but he noted that space is now used for trailer parking and the area is also prone to flooding, so ABC Park is the best location.
He said the court would be configured to give 45 feet between the court and the residences on Andrews Drive and there would be no loud noises at night because the court will not be lit.
Curry said the intent is for a summer league, and several representatives of the group were at council that day, including Natasha Spaling and Stephanie Bignell.
A letter from Gina Dobben on behalf of the Drayton Volleyball Players stated the court would be 18 metres long and nine metres wide, and would require excavation of 1.5 to 3.0 feet in order to provide a proper base for the sand.
“Depending on the drainage for the park, gravel may need to be placed in the bottom to allow for adequate drainage,” Dobben said. “It has been requested that the court be placed so players will face north and south as opposed to east and west.”
She added, “We are currently only asking for once court to be installed, but with the possibility of adding another court, lights, and a lock box where a net and balls could be stored in coming years.”
Dobben said posts and a net could be purchased using the registration fees from the league. She said including poles in the building process would mean more stable posts and less chance they would be damaged.
“Each year at the Canada Day celebrations there are a number of teams who participate in the volleyball tournament. We feel that having a league will only increase the sport’s exposure and allow many different skill levels to participate.”
Councillor Neil Driscoll noted the group is taking responsibility for costs, but wondered who would cover the maintenance costs.
Curry said the league would handle that, while the township would continue to cut the grass in the park, as it normally would.
Councillor Mike Downey said the park is supposed to be a neighbourhood one, and wondered the effect it will have on the residents in the area.
Curry said there are party controls, and some of the neighbours are interested in the league.
“If something gets out of hand, there are ways to deal with that,” Curry said, adding games will cease when it gets dark.
Downey questioned Curry’s problem with flooding at the fairgrounds. Curry said floods would wash away the sand from the court. He added if the court is too close to the river, the players could lose balls in it. He added there will not be that many people at the courts because beach volleyball is three or four players per side.
Mayor Bruce Whale asked public works director Larry Lynch if he has any concerns about the proposal. His department looks after parks.
Lynch said his main concern is the issue should be coming from staff, who would have prepared a full report. He said his issue is suddenly having to field complaints without having input into the decision to place the court in that park.
“We’ve had one [complaint] already and it’s not even built,” said Lynch.
He did say there was such a court in Alma until the community hall there was built, and it was popular and well used. It was moved when the hall was built. He said council should stipulate the court has to be built under the guidance of staff.
Curry said a number of players were forced to travel to Elora to play, and, “This brings it home to Drayton.”
Whale said perhaps the township can find a better location, but he noted it would be inexpensive to build.
Lynch said he has considered potential problems, and asked council what is the intent of the ABC Park. He noted that at one time there was talk of having frisbee-golf there.
But, he added, “Anything that enhances the park is good.”
Curry convinced council to give the court a try.
“The bottom line is, if there are problems, pull two posts and we move on,” he said.
Council supported the recommendation. Councillor Andy Knetsch was absent.
