MINTO – A long-term plan for the grounds surrounding the Harriston-Minto Community Complex has been approved in principle by town council.
The plan, which includes a multi-sport pad, junior soccer pitch, walking trails, a new pavilion, re-configured parking lot and a walking bridge connecting the arena grounds to the Kinsmen Swimming Pool and playground area, was presented to council on March 5.
Known as the Harriston Arena and Fairgrounds Master Plan, the concept was developed through consultations between town staff and the Harriston Kinsmen Club, Harriston-Minto Agricultural Society, Harriston and District Horticultural Society, Maitland Valley Conservation Authority and local minor sports groups.
“The working group identified three items that we’d like to complete this year and they include a multi-sport court, junior soccer pitch, that’s for youth eight and under, as well as a walking path,” director of community services Matt Lubbers told council.
“We have some previous capital funding from 2021 and a partner in the Harrison Kinsmen Club to get started on the sports pad.”
A staff report states the following site preparation work is required before work can begin:
- creating a drainage plan and minor re-grading of the area near the existing pavilion;
- removal of trees near the pavilion (other trees will be planted elsewhere on the grounds);
- removal and decommissioning of some utilities near the pavilion.
A suggestion that arose out of meetings of the working group was the decommissioning of the trailer dump station on site, due to overland water concerns, the report states.
“We plan to report back at a future council meeting about what to do with it moving forward as we can begin work on the site with it in place,” Lubbers noted.
“We have some previous capital funding from 2021 and a partner in the Harrison Kinsmen Club to get started on the sports path.”
Feedback from a public open house at the Harriston arena on Feb. 20 included:
- a suggestion to incorporate a pollinator garden;
- continuation of the memorial tree program;
- concerns about proximity of new tree plantings to the arena entrance, as well as to drains and drain corridors;
- proximity of the soccer field to the existing ball diamond; and
- authorized vehicle use on the walking path.
To mitigate some of the concerns, the report states community services staff will:
- work with the Harriston and District Horticultural Society to explore a pollinator garden;
- work with town landscape care staff to carefully plan where trees will be planted;
- carry on with the Commemorative Bench and Tree program; and
- work to avoid drainage and winter maintenance issues.
The report also explains soccer pitch and ball diamond rentals can be coordinated to avoid booking conflicts and bollards can be placed at the entrance of the walking paths to only permit authorized vehicle use for certain events as required, such as the Harriston-Minto Fall Fair.
Councillor Ed Podniewicz asked if there would be lighting included in the design for the sports pad and other features.
“We would look at lighting the sports pad,” said Lubbers, adding the court will include basketball nets, court lines for pickleball and possibly nets for road hockey, similar to the set-up at Palmerston Lions Heritage Park.
“We’re thinking stone dust for the trail, so maybe not quite as nice as what’s in Lions Heritage Park (interlocking brick). But certainly we’ve seen the benefit of lighting the sports court in Palmerston,” Lubbers stated.
“So tonight, we are accepting this in principle and there can be changes made,” noted Mayor Dave Turton.
“Absolutely, this is just a concept that we’re hoping you’ll accept in principle,” Lubbers replied.
The report notes the town will need to continue to work with community groups to “make the plan a reality.”
It also states future capital budgeting will be required and some items may need to be modified or removed from the plan if they prove impractical.
