There could be a clubhouse facility at Fisher Fields as early as Spring 2020.
A staff report going to council on Monday provides a concept plan for a 3,400 square foot building including change rooms, washrooms, office space, and a multi-purpose room.
Initial estimates suggest the cost of the building will be about $911,980.
According to the staff report, the Collingwood United Soccer Club has committed to contributing $60,000 to $100,000 in fundraising dollars to the project.
Part of the money can also be taken from development charges ($560,918) and from a non-development charge reserve fund kept for capital projects ($270,072).
Council already approved $250,000 in the 2019 budget to initiate the project.
Fisher Fields sports facility, as it exists now, was completed in 2007 at a cost of $1.4 million, according to the report. The site includes three full-sized soccer pitches with lighting, and supporting water, stormwater and electrical infrastructure.
There are also public trails and green space in the area.
Portions of Fisher Fields now serve as informal junior and mini soccer pitches.
There are currently no permanent washroom facilities, and, instead, members of the public are provided with portable toilets.
The fields are used extensively by the Collingwood United Soccer Club’s membership of around 900, as well as for tournaments and games hosted by the club. The Georgian Bay Titans Rugby Club is also using the fields there, as well as the Georgian Bay Ultimate frisbee league, along with recreational users such as snowshoers, dog walkers, and cross country skiers.
Council first voted in favour of hiring an architect – Shane Lapiste Architecture – to begin designing a clubhouse facility in 2018.
In March of this year, the architect held a stakeholder engagement session. The town invited soccer, rugby, and ultimate frisbee groups to attend, but only the Collingwood United Soccer Club sent representatives, according to the staff report. The Georgian Bay Titans Rugby provided feedback later.
From that meeting, it was established the soccer club would like four lockable change rooms, washroom facilities for normal use, a referee change room, a first aid room, air-conditioned office space, concession space, and a small meeting space.
The staff report also references discussions around a multi-purpose room for extended use by the broader community.
According to the staff report, the forecast completion date for the project is spring 2020, with tender planned for late fall/early winter of this year.
Staff will be providing a report and update to council on this matter at the council meeting on July 22, which starts at 5 p.m. in the town hall council chambers.
