Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound. (supplied photo)
Lacrosse players in Owen Sound could soon have a new surface to play on at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Owen Sound’s community services committee passed a motion during a recent meeting to refer a funding request from Owen Sound Minor Lacrosse and the Owen Sound Junior B North Stars to council, through the capital budget process.
The North Stars came to committee in search of a $25,000 contribution from the city to put towards the purchase of an artificial turf surface that formerly belonged to the Albany FireWolves of the National Lacrosse League. The FireWolves franchise played in Albany, NY from 2021 until this year, before relocating to Oshawa.
North Stars board member Peter Debrone told the city’s community services committee there is an opportunity to purchase the professional grade turf surface for about $50,000, a price tag which includes shipping costs and storage. The ask from the North Stars is for the city to cover half, and they would fund the rest through donations and sponsorships.
“What we’re trying to build on is what has already transpired over the last year. Obviously, we’ve seen a great renovation happen at the Bayshore, which has brought our facility up to standard,” Debrone says. “By putting turf in, it would also make it a premier lacrosse facility in Ontario.”
The plan is to purchase the turf surface, and then install it on top of the concrete arena floor inside the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre during box lacrosse season from May to August each year. It would be stored inside a sea container during hockey season, when the Ontario Hockey League’s Owen Sound Attack and minor hockey teams make use of the Bayshore.
Debrone says the addition of artificial turf at the Bayshore Community Centre would help make Owen Sound an attractive destination for major lacrosse events. He says Lacrosse Canada and Ontario Lacrosse Association tend to host national championships only at facilities with turf now.
Owen Sound hosted the national Senior B lacrosse championship, the Presidents’ Cup, in 2007 and in 2003. But the city has never been a host for the national Junior B championship, Founders’ Cup.
“This would allow the (Junior B North Stars) to host a Founders’ Cup potentially for the first time,” Debrone explains. “And the Senior B team would in a much better spot to be able to host another Presidents’ Cup.”
Debrone adds the addition of an artificial turf surface could also allow Owen Sound to host National Lacrosse League preseason games, and help elevate the appeal of the annual Owen Sound Heritage Classic minor lacrosse tournament.
“We all know the economic impact this would have on the local community, especially during our minor lacrosse tournaments,” he says. “One of our biggest issues is actually finding enough hotels for all the people that come.”
Community services committee members were receptive to the idea.
“I’m very supportive of this proposal, as long as it goes through the proper capital budget process,” says Community Services Committee Member Lance Thurston.
Owen Sound Councillor and Community Services Committee Chair Travis Dodd: “We’re enhancing the facility at a reduced level of the actual cost.”
Debrone adds the opportunity to purchase this turf surface only came up because of connections Owen Sound is fortunate to have in the tight-knit lacrosse community. Junior B North Stars General Manager Ethan Woods played for Albany FireWolves during his NLL career and knows the franchise owner.
The expected lifespan of the turf surface is 25 years.
The motion passed in committee refers the funding request to city council. It’s expected to be addressed next month.