ST. PAUL - A group that recently received society status, has shifted its primary focus from the creation of new ball diamonds to the construction of an indoor training facility - or field house.
Coun. Gary Ward brought the item forward during the April 26 regular Town of St. Paul council meeting. The group, which Ward is part of, has been named the St. Paul Ball Facilities and Services Society. The society is requesting the use of 50 acres of land, located north of the St. Paul Soccer Fields.
The Town-owned land would be used for a large project that would be done in phases, explained Ward. Phase one of the project would be the construction of a field house that could be used by a number of local groups - from baseball, to football, to gymnastics, and more. An indoor walking track is also be part of the vision.
St. Paul Ball Facilities and Services Society made a presentation to the Parks and Recreation Board on April 21, seeking support from the Parks and Recreation Board to begin looking into developing the 50 acres of land north of the soccer fields. The board made a motion to inform Town of St. Paul council that it supports the request from the St. Paul Ball Facilities and Services Society for the proposed project.
Ward said the society plans to fundraise for the large project through a variety of means, including casinos once they are allowed, and by approaching local businesses for support, among other ideas. He compared the process to what took place when the soccer fields were developed.
He noted that discussions around a project in the area began back in 2007, but at the time was focused on the creation of more ball diamonds. Since seeing the results of recent surveys done by the town, and hearing feedback from the community, it has become clear that an indoor field house is a priority for many people.
Ward said there is a "great group" of people who have come together and want to get the project done.
Coun. Ron Boisvert said he felt it would be worth waiting until the Area Structure Plan (ASP) that is about to be done on an area of town that includes the land in question, is complete. It was noted that while a consultant hasn't been hired yet for the ASP, the process is underway.
Coun. Norm Noel asked how the joint recreation agreement and master plan fits into the project.
The St. Paul – Elk Point Regional Partnership Regional Recreation Master Plan does mention a need for indoor recreation opportunities. The plan, which was released in 2019, lists an indoor track on the top of the priority list, along with a leisure swimming pool, fitness/wellness facility, and gymnasium spaces, all tied at number one. A multi-purpose sport surface sits in the number two spot, along with arenas and what is termed as a child play space.
"Preliminary infrastructure priorities were identified based on the engagement findings presented in the St. Paul-Elk Point Region Research Summary Report," reads the master plan.
Town of St. Paul Mayor Maureen Miller said she also wondered how this project would fit into the master plan.
Ward agreed with the fact that other councils would have to be well aware of what's going on. The master plan includes the County of St. Paul, Town of Elk Point, and Summer Village of Horseshoe Bay, along with the Town of St. Paul.
Ward said the society is set to meet with an engineer soon, and from there the group will be approaching the Town of St. Paul and County with more information. He stated he is very aware that the entire project cannot be done "all in one shot." But, a first step would be to access the land.
Coun. Brad Eamon asked Ward if he felt there was a need for more ball diamonds in St. Paul. In response, Ward said there is a clear need for an indoor facility, which is why it is now phase one of the project, but St. Paul Minor Ball has been growing exponentially, with teams having to share diamonds during practices and younger ball players using the diamonds located at the high school.
"We do have excellent ball diamonds in the community," said Ward, but there is a need for more.
Miller said she felt the conversation had to take place at a regional level, and the idea must also be put out to the community.
"The region needs to somehow buy in to this opportunity," said the mayor. She noted that requesting use of the land is a good starting point for the project.
The mayor agreed that the community has been asking for an indoor recreation facility, but was also adamant that the Town of St. Paul could not do the project on its own.
The Town of St. Paul's tax base could not support an indoor recreation facility on its own, heard council.
Coun. Nathan Taylor also spoke to the issue, saying he supported the location of the project and the overall intention. But, there were lots of questions that needed to be answered, and he too felt the discussions should take place at a regional level.
He recommended a regional recreation committee could be useful, much like the Evergreen Regional Waste Management Services Commission. While he didn't think the group would make decisions on playgrounds, parks or smaller projects, he envisioned the group could be part of larger projects - such as the field house.
The biggest concern for Taylor was not the initial costs of the project itself, but rather the ongoing operational costs that would be associated with a large facility. The community will have to know what those costs are, said Taylor.
Boisvert recommended deferring the request until the ASP is complete, and also requested the project be discussed at a regional level with other municipal partners.
"Thanks for the conversation . . . This is how it starts," said Miller, as the discussion wrapped up, Monday night.
