The Township of Arran-Elderslie will be adjusting some sports fields in Tara.
A staff report presented to council July 10th outlines some issues with the existing layouts.
There is not enough space between the outfield of one of the baseball diamonds and the goal of a soccer field.
The report says, “As soccer and ball practices and games often overlap, safety issues are presented when balls enter the playing surface of one or the other.”
Staff say they became aware of the issue in 2022 and worked with both organizations to adjust the soccer field by shifting it.
The report says this spring, local minor soccer told staff the reconfiguration presented some challenges, noting the Agricultural Society’s horse tie ups were in a hazardous location for players. They also noted issues with rough terrain, saying topsoil and field levelling would be required to reduce the chance of injuries.
The staff report also says the 2022 temporary field location did not allow for corner kicks to be executed safely, and since the 2022 reconfiguration was on a trial basis, minor soccer moved the field back to its original location, but staff say it’s still presenting challenges to both organizations during games and practices.
Currently, Township staff need to move the aging north soccer goal multiple times per week to allow both organizations to participate fully.
The report says the best option is to shift the field to a space alongside another existing field.
The plan is to add topsoil and grass seed to the low points of the field following the 2023 season and to roll the field and address any other deficiencies in the spring of 2024.
Staff say they will also work with members of the Tara Agricultural Society to determine the best location for their horse tie-ups.
Council also approved the purchase of a new set of goals for the soccer field to replace the aging ones at a total cost of
$ 6,836.
