Stadium and tennis court upgrades, train whistle cessation among budget items considered by council

Upgrades to McArthur Island’s Norbrock Stadium and a new bathroom facility for Overlander Park are among a number of asks being considered by council for inclusion in this year’s budget.

In a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday, staff presented 12 supplemental budget items for mayor and councillors to consider, including four community requests.

The supplemental budget items will be discussed and decided upon by council at a committee of the whole meeting in early April, after a period of consultation with the public.

Jen Fretz, the city’s civic operations director, told the committee the city has been working with baseball team Kamloops NorthPaws to help get Norbrock Stadium ready for their inaugural season.

“We've done a significant amount of work already both on the facility and on the fields, but there is additional work that still needs to be done,” Fretz said.

Fretz said the budget ask is for an additional $80,000 to complete upgrades before the 2022 season, with the funds proposed to come out of the city’s gaming reserve.

According to a report prepared for the committee, items that still need to be completed include widened pitcher mounds, upgrades to the umpire room, extra safety netting and numbered seating in the stands.

Fretz also presented a budget request coming from the Kamloops Tennis Association, which is asking the city to help pay for a geotechnical assessment and resurfacing for three tennis courts.

Fretz said the city owns the location, but leases it to the tennis association to operate.

A report to the committee said the courts, originally installed in 1992, are in “extremely poor condition” with cracks and an uneven surface.

“The temporary repairs can no longer sustain the integrity of the court surface. The court surface is becoming hazardous to play on, with a potential shut down looming,” the report said.

Fretz said the work is estimated to cost $225,000, and while the association is prepared to pitch in $50,000 towards the project, the city is asked to contribute the balance — $175,000.

Coun. Denis Walsh said he didn’t think city residents should have to pay for upgrades to a private club.

“As a resident, I can't just go in there and play tennis, I have to join the club, I have to pay a fee. And so that's not public, and the public should not be paying for a private club, so I’m totally against this whole proposal here,” Walsh said, suggesting the city could look at a loan arrangement instead.

Coun. Mike O’Reilly asked for staff to bring back more information about the club for the next round of discussions.

“The fact that the club was putting out $50,000, or the better part of 20 per cent of what's requested, I always like it when groups come to the table with some of their own skin in the game,” O’Reilly said.

Kathy Humphrey, the city’s corporate services director, presented council with a third community budget ask — washroom facilities for Overlander Park.

Humphrey said the request was put forward by the Kamloops Beach Volleyball Club, who initially came to staff with the ask about two years ago.

Humphrey said there is one pit toilet near the eight beach volleyball courts, but it isn’t enough to support the increased use of the park, and isn’t sufficient for any tournaments that could be hosted in the city.

"The provincial sport organization for volleyball and whatnot have all said you've got this fantastic facility, these eight courts, but we just wouldn't bring it without other washrooms,” Humphrey said.

The total cost of the washroom facility is estimated at $700,000. If approved, the city would pay $670,000 and the club would pitch in $30,000 towards the total.

Mayor Ken Christian requested staff to come back with clarification on what additional measures would be in place to ensure the facilities stayed operational.

“I think council before have indicated that, in this day and age, if you are going to have a public washroom open and unsupervised you're going to pay for it dearly, and that washrooms now needed attendants if they're going to be in the public realm,” Christian said.

A fourth community request seeks to address what residents say is a high number of train horns sounded throughout the day and night as rail traffic increases.

Marvin Kwiatkowski, development, engineering and sustainability director, said a letter and petition with over 100 signatures was sent to council in December asking them to address the matter.

He said train whistle cessation would be a multi-step, multi-year process involving land acquisition, passing a bylaw, and approvals from a number of parties.

"You have various agencies that are involved, the city, Transport Canada and the rail company itself. So really, this is the initial component, is coming up with some costing and then really looking at if council wishes to move forward with the project,” Kwiatkowksi said.

The request would cost a minimum of $1.2 million with $33,000 in ongoing operational costs.

The public has the opportunity to provide feedback on all 12 supplemental budget items throughout February and March, with a public budget meeting scheduled for March 10.

The committee of the whole will review supplemental items again at its meeting on April 5.