TAMRMS#: B09
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Capital Project Scope Change - Pickleball Court Development
Presented by: Daniele Podlubny, Manager, Community Recreation, Recreation & Parks Department
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RECOMMENDATION(S)
recommendation
That the Community Living Standing Committee recommend to Council that the budget for Project #418308, Pickleball Court Developments be increased by $98,000, funded from the Community Facility Enhancement Program grant, to install noise abatement screening.
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PURPOSE OF REPORT
To approve a scope change to the Pickleball Court Development project to install acoustic panelling at Alpine Park pickleball courts.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITY
N/A
ALIGNMENT TO SERVICE DELIVERY
Recreational and Sport Facility Access
Ensure the provision of scheduled and spontaneous use of community recreation facilities for community users in a safe and comfortable environment.
Sport Court
Provision of open level areas equipped with appropriate lines and amenities, upon which a recreational game of pickleball is played.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL (OR COMMITTEE) DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
N/A
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Pickleball is a relatively new and emerging sport in Alberta and Canada and has seen significant growth in the region and within St. Albert. Pickleball was introduced in St. Albert in approximately 2013 and the association has grown at a rapid pace over the last seven years to have a current membership base of more than 500 users.
In 2018, the tarmac and tennis courts at Alpine Park were converted into pickleball courts to meet this growing community need. The development included twelve courts, interior fencing, court surfacing and small site amenities like benches (Attachment 1: Alpine Park Pickleball Courts Site Map).
The court development was completed in August of 2018 and opened to the public at that time. The St. Albert Pickleball Association was successful in receiving grant funding to support that development in the amount of $125,000 from the Province of Alberta.
Upon opening, the courts immediately saw high usage and were functioning to serve the growing needs for space from the St. Albert Pickleball Association, the general public and other groups including St. Albert schools. This high utilization has impacted the residents neighboring the development with the noise created by the users of the pickleball courts.
During the discussions with the impacted residents, in summer 2019, Administration took the following actions;
- Worked collaboratively with the Pickleball Association to educate club members to use the courts furthest from the residences before those closest to them.
- Signed the facility to encourage low noise paddles
- Temporarily closed two courts closest to the resident’s homes for the remainder of the play season
Administration has worked towards finding a resolution to balance the usage of the park site to meet the program needs of the users and be responsive to the needs of the adjacent landowners. The St. Albert Pickleball Association has been a collaborative partner over the past year, discussing this issue and strategizing to mitigate the concerns.
Through research Administration has located an acoustic panelling product with success in reducing the noise emanating from pickleball courts. The proposed product would be installed seasonally and would require fence reinforcement prior to initial use.
The current Project #418308 Pickleball Court Development has $1,580 remaining of the $304,100 budget. The addition of the acoustic panels would require a funding scope change of $98,000 to complete the project at the Alpine Pickleball Courts. The $98,000 is offset by the $125,000 CFEP grant that was received for the development of the courts. The remaining CFPE grant funds would be applied to the project costs to offset the Pay- As- You- Go funding which would be returned to the capital reserve at the close out of the project.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
External public engagement has been ongoing with the impacted residents as well as the Pickleball Association throughout 2019. Administration will continue to collect feedback and comments from residents in future, in alignment with current practices.
Internal stakeholder reviews have been taking place throughout 2019, including with Municipal Enforcement Services, RCMP, Public Works and Engineering. This internal review was valuable to ensure that this project could be implemented without creating safety issues and that the panels would function well on the site.
IMPLICATIONS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Financial:
The budget for Project #418308 Pickleball Court Development would increase by $98,000 funded through additional CFEP grant funding.
Legal / Risk:
None at the time
Program or Service:
Alpine Park Pickleball Courts serve a multitude of users and serve a growing need for pickleball outdoor space in St. Albert. It is important to find a solution that provides usage of all courts and addresses the noise issue in the park to ensure continued service delivery in the future while addressing the needs of adjacent landowners.
Organizational:
The seasonal set up and take down of acoustic panels would be resourced internally through Public Works.
ALTERNATIVES AND IMPLICATIONS CONSIDERED
If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the following alternatives could be considered:
1. The increased scope change is not approved, and the additional grant funds are applied to the project and $98,000 of Pay-As-You-Go funds are uncommitted within the Capital Reserve.
2. That Administration proceed based on specific direction from Council.
3. That no further action be taken.
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Report Date: February 10, 2020
Author(s): Daniele Podlubny
Committee/Department: Recreation & Parks Department
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer: Kerry Hilts
Chief Administrative Officer: Kevin Scoble