Huron-Kinloss welcomes proposal for Indoor Sports Dome in Kin-Bruce Park
Huron-Kinloss council welcomes the proposal of an Indoor Sports Dome in Kin-Bruce Park, on Lake Range Drive in the township.
Brandon Kushnir of Bluewater Sports Management, which is based in Kincardine, presented his plan for the $6-million indoor artificial turf facility, at the committee-of-the-whole meeting, Monday morning (Jan. 13).
He said a feasibility study shows an overwhelming demand for such a facility, housing soccer, baseball and Pickleball, and serving a catchment area within 45 minutes of Huron-Kinloss.
The preferred location is Kin-Bruce Park, said Kushnir, northwest of the corner of McCormick Drive and Lake Range Drive.
The proposed location of the Indoor Sports Dome in Huron-Kinloss
He said the 77,000-square-foot sports dome would include two seven-by-seven (60-yard-by-40-yard) soccer fields (one lined for baseball), six batting cages, six Pickleball courts, and a 4,000-square-foot reception building that would house men’s and ladies’ change rooms and a meeting room. The project would also include an upgrade to the existing playground, and 120 parking spaces.
Kushnir said the facility would benefit many local field sport organizations, for the following reasons:
- Play Extension: Users can begin their season on an indoor artificial turf field earlier in the spring and play longer into the fall compared to the playing season on natural turf
- Winter Programs: Users can practise, train or participate in recreational sport activities or programs under a heated, seasonal dome during the winter
- Maintain Competitiveness: Huron-Kinloss and surrounding area organizations that utilize the sports dome for longer training periods will have a competitive advantage over teams in other municipalities that do not have access to indoor facilities
He said the feasibility study indicated that the sports dome would draw from a radius of 45-minutes which is the maximum duration a participant would routinely travel to participate in a recreational or sports program. The total population within 45 minutes of Huron-Kinloss is about 55,000.
The closest indoor artificial turf facilities to Huron-Kinloss are Listowel (field house) and Mono Township, just north of Guelph (indoor/outdoor).
Kushnir said existing field user groups in Huron-Kinloss and the surrounding area were invited to respond to a stakeholder survey to collect insights from potential users of an artificial turf sports dome.
Interviews were convened with Kincardine Minor Soccer, Kincardine Minor Baseball, Kincardine Adult Soccer, Kincardine Football Association, Kincardine Pickleball, Point Clark Pickleball, Saugeen Shores Pickleball, Saugeen Shores Minor Baseball, Ripley Minor Baseball and Ripley Minor Soccer, to explore respective interests in the facilities being considered.
The groups indicated the following number of weekly hours they would use the indoor turf fields:
- Kincardine Minor Soccer would use 12.5 hours per week for recreational and minor soccer from October to May, with an expected increase with more rep teams coming on-line and access to more field time, totalling 400 hours
- Kincardine Adult Soccer would use nine hours per week from November to April, totalling 216 hours
- Kincardine Minor Baseball would use 20 hours per week from October to May, totalling 640 hours
- Kincardine Football Association would use five hours per week from October to May, totalling 160 hours
- Ripley Minor Baseball and Soccer would use 10 hours per week from October to May, totalling 320 hours
- Saugeen Shores Baseball would use 12.5 hours per week, totalling 400 hours
Multiple sports leagues would also be run in-house, including competitive men’s, women’s and co-ed soccer, along with Wiffle ball. These leagues would account for a total of 13 hours per week from October to May, totalling 416 hours.
In total, 2,552 out of 2,816 prime-time hours would be allocated to these sports organization and in-house sports leagues, taking up over 90 per cent of field capacity during prime-time hours from October to May. This would leave 264 hours, or 8.25 hours per week, open to community or non-resident field rentals for things such as events, birthday parties, tournaments, etc.
Kushnir also outlined proposed revenue, and the capital development costs of the project.
“We propose an exciting partnership with the Township of Huron-Kinloss to breathe new life into an under-utilized park space,” he said. “The facility is fully compliant with current zoning, as confirmed by the last chief building official, ensuring minimal risk to the township.”
He said the township will benefit from increased revenue through a long-term lease agreement, enhanced park features, and zero financial burden.
“We will cover all associated upgrade costs, offering the township a win-win opportunity,” said Kushnir. “Together, we can transform this space into a vibrant hub for the community while advancing the township's strategic goals. We look forward to the opportunity to collaborate and create a lasting positive impact for Huron-Kinloss.”
Brandon Kushnir of Bluewater Sports Management makes a presentation about the proposed Indoor Sports Dome in Huron-Kinloss
“I congratulate you on your willingness to take on a project like this,” said councillor Ed McGugan. “This will be a wonderful benefit to the community.
“My only concern is the location. A high wind could bring the building down.”
Kushnir said he is working with a company that knows the lakeshore area quite well and will ensure the structure is put up properly.
Councillor Larry Allison asked about the company’s track record for constructing this type of facility.
“This is a new company,” said Kushnir, "but my family and I have been in property management for 20 years in the Toronto area. We’ve worked with schools on turf fields and domes. We have not built a full structure like this one, but we have partners who are confident in this plan. We will be building the base and then putting the dome over it.”
As to the long-term lease, Kushnir said he would prefer a lease with an option to purchase.
“I would prefer to own the land, but we’re not purchasing the property, initially, in order to keep the project costs down,” he said.
Mayor Don Murray asked why Kushnir chose the lakeshore location, rather than Ripley or further inland.
Kushnir said the facility will draw from Kincardine and Port Elgin, and mainly in the winter. On the lakeshore, Highway 21 is often closed for periods of time, but people can still travel to the facility on Lake Range Drive. “Plus, I live a four-minute walk from this location,” he said, jokingly.
Murray asked about the timeline for the project.
Kushnir said the only deadline is for a government grant, with $100-million available for private companies to build sports facilities.
“There is no closure date but when the money’s gone, it’s gone,” he said. “Until we have land and a lease, we can’t submit an application.
“I’d like to have this sports dome up and running by 2026.”
In a related matter, council approved a report from chief administrative officer Jodi MacArthur, directing staff to pursue the development of a long-term lease agreement for the 5.3-acre parcel at 920 Lake Range Drive, known as Kin-Bruce Park.
She noted that if the term of the lease were greater than 20 years, the township would have to declare the land surplus through the disposal of real property bylaw.
The township’s Parks and Trails Plan identified Kin-Bruce Park as having potential for future development or re-purpose considerations, she said.
“How do we move forward?” asked Murray.
MacArthur said staff will work with the legal department to draw up an agreement, with a draft coming back to council.
“Do we need a public meeting on this?” asked Murray.
“When it comes back to council, there would be an opportunity for public input,” said MacArthur.
Written ByLiz Dadson is the founder and editor of the Kincardine Record and has been in the news business since 1986.
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