Central Tech Stadium Community Consultation November 28, 2013.

Central Tech Stadium

Community ConsultationNovember 28, 2013

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Overview• What is this project about?

• Why is this project a good thing?

• Who is Razor Management Inc. (RMI)?

• Points of Interest for the Community

• Next steps

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What is this project about?

Background

• The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) knows that over the last several years, school sports fields have suffered from a lack of investment. Many are ageing and in a state of disrepair.

• Unfortunately, with its current fiscal constraints, the TDSB cannot invest in maintenance and/or upgrades of all its fields. This is despite the fact that high-performance facilities are critical to keeping its students active, healthy and competitive.

• This is why the TDSB started the “Championship Fields Partnership Program”. This program brings a select number of fields (six with one in each corner/centre of the City) up to a high-performance level without any additional financial burden to the TDSB.

• The TDSB and a partner enter into a license agreement for a year-round multi-use sports facility. The partner pays all costs associated with construction, operation and maintenance of the facility, in return for access after school, on weekends and during holidays. The partner is selected through an RFP process.

• The TDSB believes that this program will re-establish its school sports fields as key school and community multi-use assets. This couldn’t be more important than it is now when 31% of Canadian children are overweight or obese.

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What is this project about?

Central Tech Stadium

• A state-of-the-art, multi-use, recreational facility that includes:

1. A FIFA grade artificial turf sports field:• Suitable for a wide range of sports, including football, soccer and rugby; • Possible to reconfigure into several mini-fields allowing for multiple activities to run

at the same time;• Focus on turf products designed with sand and cryogenic (clean) rubber infill, sewn

seams and low slide resistance in order to reduce player injury; and• Covered by an insulated air supported structure during the winter months (e.g. late

November to March).

2. New outdoor field lighting:• Provides average of 50 foot candles of light; and• Protective shields prevent light from leaving the field and track area.

3. A multi-lane, 400 meter Olympic caliber running track:• Soft cushion base ideal for walking and running.

4. Renovated change rooms and washrooms in the school building north of the field.

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Site Plan for Central Tech Stadium:

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Why is this project a good thing?

• There are five key stakeholders who benefit from this project:

1. Central Technical School:• Gives students the chance to train and play in a state-of-the-art facility;• Provides opportunities for students to spend their free time during school hours in

a safe and positive way (e.g. lunchtime soccer games);• Brings positive recognition to the school;• The air supported structure will house the only 400 meter indoor track in the GTA

and the third in North America; and• Allows the phys-ed department to expand current curriculum offerings.

2. Harbord Village Community:• Presents an opportunity for all age levels to focus on participation, exercise, skills

development, leadership and team building through activities offered at the facility;

• Supports local sports organizations that are currently experiencing a severe shortage of quality field time and space;

• Decreases criminal activity around the site due to increased presence and lighting;• Creates a community anchor for safe and active living; and• Increases the amount of time available for community access in the winter by

making the facility useable year-round and in the spring, summer and fall by adding outdoor track and field lighting.

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Why is this project a good thing?

3. TDSB:• Provides a cost effective way to upgrade an important recreational facility with no

up front capital costs and no replacement costs;• Creates an opportunity to extend benefits to students at other local schools; • Creates a space for board wide events (e.g. science fairs, mini-Olympics, etc.); and• Increases the amount of physical activity by students.

4. City of Toronto:• Helps the City meet the ever increasing need of high quality recreational facilities

located where people live;• Addresses the desire of many Torontonians to increase the City’s capacity to help

develop Canada’s amateur athletes; and• Potential practice facility for PAN AM Games athletes bringing professional sports to

the community’s doorstep.

5. RMI:• Presents a unique opportunity to have an important and positive impact on one of

the TDSB’s largest schools, the City and the local community.

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Who is Razor Management Inc.?

• RMI is solely owned and operated by Matthew Raizenne, who holds a business degree from St. Francis Xavier University and has 10 years of work experience in Toronto’s financial sector.

• In 2011, RMI was the successful candidate for the TDSB RFP for the Recreational Facility Project at Monarch Park Collegiate Institute (MPCI). Construction on the field and track began in June 2012 and was completed in October 2012.

• Monarch Park Stadium (MPS) is now in its second year of operation.

• RMI has established itself as a capable, professional, creative organization with a willingness to collaborate with key stakeholders.

• As a result of its success, RMI has been approached by numerous municipalities and school boards across Canada who wish to replicate the MPS model.

• In recognition of its success, Parks and Recreation Ontario asked RMI to speak about the MPS model at the 2013 Parks and Recreation Ontario Educational Forum.

• In the fall of 2013, the Peel District School Board selected RMI to build and operate a multi-million dollar, state-of-the-art facility at one of their secondary schools.

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Inside Monarch Park Stadium:

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Points of Interest for the Community• The TDSB and RMI take the community’s concerns very seriously. We are more than open to

discussing proactive solutions to whatever issues may arise.

• The TDSB and RMI have learned many lessons through the project at MPS, including those related to the following main areas:

– Community Access/Use– Dogs– Traffic/Parking– Environmental– Lights/Noise– Privatization

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Points of Interest for the CommunityCommunity Access/Use

• The facility will be open from 6:00am to 11:00pm.

• The TDSB will have exclusive use of the facility between 7:00am and 6:00pm. RMI will have exclusive use of the facility between 6:00pm and 11:00pm.

• During the spring, summer and fall, when the air supported structure is not in place, the community can use the facility (field and track) free of charge.

• RMI will permit the field to user groups during this time. This is consistent with existing TDSB permitting policy. Any non-permitted field time is available to the community free of charge.

• A schedule posted on the Central Tech Stadium website will allow community members to see when the field is available.

• In the winter months, when the air supported structure is in place, the community will have access to the facility through various programming offered.

• The amount of time available for the community far exceeds what is available at any other similar recreational facility in the City (e.g. University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium).

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Points of Interest for the CommunityDogs

• The field at Central Technical School is not an official dog park.

• TDSB policy states that no dogs are allowed on any of its sports fields, as it presents a health and safety issue for students. Multiple signs are posted around the existing field advising of this policy. The policy functions under an honour system.

• No dogs will be allowed on the field or track at Central Tech Stadium.

• The TDSB and RMI have approached the local Councilor’s office on a few occasions about mitigating local dog owner concerns. To date, his staff have only advised us that there are more dog parks in Ward 20 than any other Ward in the City.

• We have suggested to his office that the City create a new official dog park in separate space at the school (between the two buildings on the east side of the property).

• We have yet to hear from the local Councilor on this issue, but look forward to working with his office as the project progresses.

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Points of Interest for the CommunityTraffic/Parking

• A traffic and parking study is required as part of the agreement between the TDSB and RMI. IBI Group has been retained to prepare a comprehensive report assessing traffic and parking impacts and suggesting solutions. The report will be publically available in January 2014.

• The parking spots currently available at and around Central Technical School include:– 144 spots onsite;– 50 spots in front of the school field along Bathurst Street; and– 139 spots at a City Green P parking lot 75 meters north of the school.

• The school is also easily accessible by street car and TTC, as well as by bike lanes.

• There will be no impact on traffic/parking during the spring, summer and fall months. The TDSB already permits the track and field during these months, so there is no change.

• The TDSB and RMI will use all options available to lessen traffic/parking concerns, including:– Actively and continually encouraging facility users to take public transit; – Using strategic scheduling to help manage traffic flow in and out of the stadium and

which will help minimize the demand for parking.

• In addition, the TDSB has retained the Toronto Sports Council to facilitate outreach related to these issues in the MPS community and will do the same for Central Tech Stadium.

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Points of Interest for the Community

Environmental

• The air supported structure is not permanent. It is seasonal, meaning it is only up during the winter months. This is similar to the air supported structure at the University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium, St. Michael’s, Upper Canada College and Lamport Stadium. It will join MPS as the most energy efficient domes in North America.

• All of the current contaminated soil will be removed during construction of the facility.

• No pesticides or chemicals are needed for the turf. It sits on a base of sand and cryogenic (i.e. clean) rubber.

• There are no health hazards associated with playing on artificial turf. Toronto Public Health has assessed all available studies related to this issue and notes no unacceptable health risks have been found.

• No trees will be cut down or removed during construction. Any dead trees on site will be replaced.

• RMI plans to incorporate recommendations from the Bathurst Street study, including replacing the chain link fence along Bathurst Street and moving it behind the trees allowing for more green space and public seating along Bathurst Street.

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Points of Interest for the Community

Lights/Noise

• The outdoor field and track area will be lit during the spring, summer and fall months.

• RMI will install the same lighting system currently in place at MPS. This system includes special filters that stop any light from spilling off the field and track area.

• RMI will follow City bylaws and the lights will automatically turn off at 11:00pm.

• The TDSB and RMI do not anticipate any noise concerns.

• No major events will occur at the facility (e.g. festivals, concerts).

• Outdoor stadium seating will remain as it is today, with room for 300 to 500 spectators. New aluminum seating will replace the current ageing and broken benches.

• No professional sports franchises will be tenants at the stadium.

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Points of Interest for the Community

Privatization

• MPS and Central Tech Stadium represent successful, positive partnerships between a public institution, such as the TDSB, and a private organization, such as RMI.

• The TDSB retains ownership of the property. The agreement allows RMI to access the field and make improvements.

• This partnership creates a win-win situation not only for the TDSB and RMI, but also for the students, surrounding community and City.

• No other similar facility includes the same amount of community access (e.g. University of Toronto’s Varsity Stadium, Upper Canada College, St. Michael’s or Lamport Stadium, etc.)

• In today’s economic climate, it represents a cost effective way for a public institution to stay current and competitive by having access to a state-of-the-art facility, while at the same time bringing it to the surrounding community.

• This partnership is an example of the direction school boards, municipalities and governments across North America are moving as budgets are slashed and debt-repayment becomes paramount.

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Next Steps

Community Consultation

• The TDSB held its first community meeting about the project at Central Technical School on April 23, 2012. It was well attended with 80 community members present.

• The TDSB and RMI will meet with the local community groups, as well as hold open community meetings throughout the project.

Committee of Adjustment

• RMI applied to the City for two minor variances:– Height variance for the 48 square meter accessory building, so that an ambulance can fit

inside; and– Use variance so that the community may access the facility, as it is on school property.

• The TDSB and RMI decided to defer its application until January in order to allow for further consultation, as some community members recently raised questions about the project.

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Next Steps

Tentative Construction Timelines

• RMI will apply for a building permit in February 2014. It will take approximately one month for the permit to be approved.

• The TDSB and RMI will remove all contaminated soil between February and April 2014.

• RMI will begin construction in April 2014 and plans to have it complete by late August 2014.

• The track and field will be open in September 2014, when the new school year starts.

Community Events

• The TDSB and RMI will plan a “Friday Night Lights” (i.e. high school rivalry football game) to celebrate the new facility in the fall of 2014.

• RMI plans to incorporate a mural on the north school building and a public garden along Bathurst Street.