Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound. (supplied photo)
It looks like box lacrosse players in Owen Sound will soon have an artificial turf surface to play on at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre.
Owen Sound’s community services committee passed a motion at its meeting Wednesday, recommending council sign off on a partnership agreement between the city, Owen Sound Junior B North Stars and North Stars Minor Lacrosse to allow the acquisition to proceed.
Council still needs to endorse the committee resolution. But it’s a formality. The dollars have already been put up. City council approved an updated five-year capital plan on Monday which included $50,000 for the artificial turf surface. The city and lacrosse will split those costs, with the municipality covering up to $25,000 and the North Stars putting up its half through fundraising and sponsorships.
The North Stars will handle the purchase, and then donate the turf floor to the municipality — making it a city asset. Committee members were told last month the lifespan could be up to 25 years, but a staff report estimates it will likely be useful for 15-20 years.
The community services committee also passed an amendment proposed by Coun. Jon Farmer to direct staff to add the artificial lacrosse turf project to the City of Owen Sound’s Canada Helps page, and to solicit community donations through it to try to help raise funds to offset the cost.
Coun. Marion Koepke: “I know I’ve had people approach me and say ‘if there’s somewhere to donate, I’d like to do that.'”
Last month, the North Stars brought a $25,000 funding request to the community services committee for 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.
The professional grade surface would be installed on top of the concrete arena floor inside the Bayshore during lacrosse season, from around May until the end of August annually. When not in use, it would be stored inside a sea container that is expected to be kept outside the Bayshore.
Community services committee members were told the turf surface would make Owen Sound a more attractive destination for major lacrosse events, such as National Lacrosse League preseason games, or the Junior B (Founders’ Cup) and Senior B (Presidents’ Cup) national championships.