West Baseball Field
PR OJECT BACKGR OUND & FUNDING
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The goal of the West Baseball Field project is to create a destination park, a vital
recreational facility for the residents of Okotoks and to be a key component of the Town’s
Open Space Network. The new facility is also intended to replace Spoiler Field that was lost
in the 2013 flood. The objective is to ensure that this new baseball facility is functional and
resilient, designed to be a long-term asset for the Town. This proposed baseball field will be
enhanced by the natural and beautiful setting for the enjoyment of users, spectators, and
casual visitors and the site will be sensitively designed as a memorable place.
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LOSS OF SPOILER FIELD
Spoiler Field has been devastated by high water events three times in the past 10 years.
The most recent damage was caused by the June 2013 flood, the entire field was lost and
deemed not playable. After the 2013 flood, the Town reviewed the ongoing reconstruction
efforts for Spoiler Field and it was decided that this ball field would not be rebuilt in the
same location. The new West Baseball Field is intended to replace Spoiler Field. This
replacement is in is in keeping with Council’s strategic directions of Providing Quality
Community Infrastructure and Managing Community Growth. The development of this
diamond is also supported by the Okotoks Outdoor Recreation Facility Master Plan. As
the construction of West Baseball Field is to replace a recreational facility lost due to the
2013 flood, the cost will be partially covered by the Provincial Disaster Recovery Funding
Program (DRP).
Gravel Pit
PROVINCIAL FUNDING & TOWN FUNDING
Existing tree stand along Elizabeth Street.
Town Council approved the project and construction budget of $1.2 million in 2014. This
Council approval accounted for the DRP funding, which is anticipated to be $300,000
of the construction budget and the remaining funds are to be covered by the Town’s
recreation reserves.
DRP funding will only replace the recreational amenity to a pre-damage or pre-flood
condition. Therefore only basic facility elements will be covered and will not include
accessory items or upgrades such as scoreboard, field lighting, bases, storage boxes, etc.
However these items may be implemented in future years as funds allow and by potential
community donation. There is also opportunity for sports clubs supplying/ bring their own
field accessories, similar to other baseball facilities within the Town of Okotoks.
Below is the Spoiler Field site inventory that was destroyed during the flood. At minimum
these field elements will be included in the West Baseball Field development.
•4’ chain-link outfield fence
•standard chain- link backstop with additional canopy at 45 degree angle
•covered chain-link dugouts with benches
•two sets of bleachers – these have been salvaged from Spoiler Field but require major
repair
•shale infield and warning track
•full field and site irrigation including the surrounding landscaping outside of the field of
play
•new vegetation - approximate fifty trees were destroyed by flood waters.
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Tributary along the north boundary.
Tributary along southeast boundary.
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Escarpment along north boundary.
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Existing vegetation along riparian edge.
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Grazed area of site.
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PROJECT
BOUNDARY
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Shelter belt trees along Meridian Road.
Public Information Session
May 12, 2015
Okotoks West Baseball Field
Presentation Board #1
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View towards adjacent park/potential
location for future pedestrian crossing.
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West Baseball Field
SITE DESCRIPTION
The location of the West Baseball Field is West
along Elizabeth
Street/Highway
549 near the west boundary of the Town of Okotoks and immediately northwest
Baseball
Field
of the Mountainview community storm pond, as illustrated in the adjacent graphic.
This site is unique and has inherent opportunities and constraints, which is why the Town acquired it from the Mountainview community developer for
future recreational use.
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EXISTING
SHELTERBELT
TREES
RECOMMENDED SET BACK
FROM TRIBUTARIES
PROJECT BOUNDARY
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EXISTING
ACCESS
ROAD
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GRAVEL
PILE
EXISTING
SHELTERBELT
TREES
EXISTING
VEGETATION
REEK
GC
SPRIN
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•To provide a new, formal active recreation facility for the
residents of Okotoks on Town-owned land
•To enhance the riparian edges with additional planting areas
•Re-introduce native plant material to this disturbed site
•To provide the framework to connect residents to the regional
pathway network
•To provide informal, open play areas and passive recreation
spaces such as picnic areas
•Improvements to the Meridian Street access
•Observed site soil and groundwater conditions are
considered to be suitable for the development of the
baseball field and associated structures/site amenities
•Use of visual markers on site amenities to increase wildlife
visibility
GRAVEL PILE
CONSTRAINTS
•A setback distance for permanent infrastructure of 20 m
horizontally from the current top of banks of both Spring
LEGEND
Creek and the tributary – “permanent infrastructure”POWER
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not
include pathways or plant material. The 20m setback provides
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and additional 10m buffer beyond the limits of the current
flood fringe zone within the site boundary.
EXISTING VEGETATION
•Permanent infrastructure (eg. washrooms and fencing) should
be constructed with a freeboard of 1.0 m above theCHAIN-LINK
design FENCE
backwater level (+/1058.5m)
POST & CABLE FENCE
•The site is expected to have a relatively high groundwater
level at, or near, the creek elevation
•Location of natural site features may impact the preferred
field size
•No potable water source is available on-site for site irrigation
•There may be a conflict between the existing trees and
access road upgrade locations – all removed trees with a
diameter greater than 15cm are to be replaced at a 2:1 ratio
EXISTING
EXISTING POST &
VEGETATION
CABLE FENCE
BARB WIRE
FENCE
EXISTING
TREE STAND
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STORMPOND
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EXISTING POST &
CONCEPT ONLY: THIS DRAWING IS AN ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION OF DESIGNS
CABLE FENCE
PREPARED BY STANTEC CONSULTING LTD. IT IS CONCEPTUAL IN NATURE AND
SUBJECT TO CHANGE. COPYRIGHT RESERVED.
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EXISTING VEGETATION
CHAIN-LINK FENCE
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Geotechnical testing, flood risk assessment, wildlife reviews, road design evaluation and fisheries analyses are being completed to inform the
detail design
of theInformation
site development.
Public
Session
May 12, 2015
Okotoks West
Baseball Field
Public Information
Session
Presentation Board #2
May 12, 2015
Okotoks West Baseball Field
Presentation Board #2
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EXISTING
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Based on the foregoing, the following preliminary recommendations have been identified as development opportunities and constraints.
OPPORTUNITIES
RECOMM
FROM TR
PROJECT
BARB WIRE
FENCE
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Some natural site features may pose constraints on desired development features. The two small watercourses that define the north and east edges of
the site connect with Spring Creek and ultimately with the Sheep River. Given this connectivity there is potential for fish presence; however, the site is not
within in any designated ecological reserves, including Environmentally Significant Areas (ESA), Important Bird Areas (IBA), or significant wildlife areas.
In general, the site does overlap with habitat ranges for certain bird species and is within a Key Wildlife Biodiversity Zone (KWBZ) that follows the Sheep
River. This means the area provides winter habitat for ungulate species and habitat that is important for maintaining wildlife biodiversity.
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The potential for site access is also an opportunity to capitalize on: Meridian Street establishes the site’s west boundary and provides access from
Elizabeth Street (Highway 549) – the south boundary. The pathways around the Mountainview stormpond can be extended, at a future date, to
promote additional connectivity with the Town.
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Additionally, it is a benefit for development that no structures or formal park features exist within the project area. This mitigates risks and costs
associated with demolitions and / or site reclamation from previous developments. Conversely, there is an existing gravel pile which is intended to be
utilized during the construction of the ball field.
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Opportunities include that the lands are currently undeveloped, but have been disturbed by agriculture activities dating back to the early 1960s,
including clearing, cultivation, and grazing. These agricultural activities mean the site has little to no native vegetation. Natural site features include
pockets of mixed vegetation located along the riparian edges to the north and east, remnant shelter belt trees adjacent to Meridian Street, and an
old growth tree stand along Elizabeth Street (Highway 549). These features provide for a suitable development site in a beautiful river valley setting that
is highly attractive for recreational enjoyment. The general site design proposes to locate the new ball field next to an informal park in a manner that is
within the parameters of existing (pre-development) natural site features.
Design with community in mind
Design with community in mind
West Baseball Field
PR OPOSED AMENITY FEATURES
In consultation with the identified stakeholders and target users groups the Town has generated a proposed amenity and accessory list for the development of the West Baseball Field. It should be noted some of these
items may be considered upgrades, and would not be covered under the current DRP funding structure. Additionally, the results of the on-going site and environmental assessments will inform the detail design of all
recreational site features.
FIELD SIZE
•preferred field size is 300‘ (91.44m) from home plate to outfield fence
•two sets of base moorings to be installed to increase user group flexibility - base line lengths to be 60’ (18.3m) &
70’ (21m)
•preferred warning track width is 15’ (4.75m), minimum width is 12’ (3.66m)
•field to be crowned and graded at 1.5%
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The following field
accessories are not
included in the current
construction budget.
They are considered
“Wish List” items and
subject to future
funding.
BACKSTOP 1
•the preferred backstop is a 4’ (1.2m) wooden baseboard with netting, similar to Conrad Field
•ideal distance between home plate and the foul line is 30’ (9.15m)
OUTFIELD AND FENCING 2
•chain-link is the favored fencing type due to sightlines, site visibility and player safety
•for player safety the preferred height of the outfield fence is 8’ to 10’ (2.4m to 3.0m)
•4’ (1.2m) fence along the 1st and 3rd base lines
•use of a “fence toppers”, or similar, for player safety
•outfield to have an augmented topsoil composition to limit irrigation requirements
Backstop four foot fence.
Backstop netting at Conrad Field.
Backstop netting example.
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IN-FIELD 3
•shale infield, minimum 6” (150mm) depth
•no mound to increase user group flexibility
DUGOUT 4
•covered structure with chain-link sides, or similar sides, and player benches
•no solid walls for the dugouts for safety, sight lines and visibility - due to the site’s remote location and the
potential for vandalism
•structure to be metal or other non-flammable materials
Outfield fence topper example.
Shale in-field.
IRRIGATION
•outfield and surrounding landscape areas not to be irrigated – infield irrigation only
•irrigation of the shale infield for dust mitigation
•the system to be connected to an imported water source (e.g. via water truck) as required
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WASHROOM 5
•pre-fabricated, pump out washrooms – similar to Riverside Park
•to be located near the play field, but still maintain service access via the parking lot or pathway system
PARKING LOT
•formal parking lot to accommodate the user groups and potential scheduled events on site (e.g tournaments)
Dugout example.
Washrooms at Riverside Park.
LANDSCAPE AREAS
•asphalt pathways to connect users within the site
•new plant areas to increase the biodiversity on site and re-introduce native vegetation
•seating/picnic areas within the site
•informal open play areas to accommodate multiple user groups and ages
Public Information Session
May 12, 2015
Okotoks West Baseball Field
Presentation Board #3
POTENTIAL
FUTURE
AMENITIES AND
UPGRADES
Dugout example.
Design with community in mind
•backstop fence
padding – this may
be provided and/
or supplied by user
groups as required
•new aluminum
bleachers
•scoreboard –
appropriate preservicing measures
will be put in place
to minimize future
disturbance that
installation may
require (e.g. sleeving)
•underground
cistern to provide a
permanent water
source for the
irrigation system
•on –site storage for
Park’s maintenance
equipment and user
group’s ball field
accessories
•parking lot lighting
•watercourse
crossing to connect
pedestrian and users
with the adjacent
park
West Baseball Field
West Baseball Field
PR OPOSED CONCEPT DESIGN
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
USER GROUPS:
The site will be developed to a standard acceptable for Adult Slow-Pitch and
soft ball league games to address the shortage of ball diamonds available in the
Town to these user groups. Spoiler Field was previously used by this target user
group and this facility is intended to replace Spoiler Field.
SAFETY:
The site will be developed to a standard acceptable for Adult Slow-Pitch and
soft ball league games to address the shortage of ball diamonds available in the
Town to these user groups. Spoiler Field was previously used by this target user
group and this facility is intended to replace Spoiler Field.
CHAIN-LINK FENCE
ALONG OUTFIELD &
BASE LINES HEIGHTS VARY
RECOMMENDED SET BACK FROM TRIBUTARIES
91.44m (300’)
FUTURE BLEACHERS (NIC.)
SHALE
INFIELD
ACCESS:
MIXED NATIVE PLANTING AREAS
’)
The site and facility design will maintain sight lines into and out of the site from
the adjacent roadways and incorporate applicable Crime Prevention Through
Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies.
5m
4.7
FUTURE
MAINTENANCE &
STORAGE SHED
(NIC.)
(15
INFORMAL/OPEN PLAY AREA
2 WASHROOMS
ENVIRONMENT:
The field design will be integrated into the natural setting of the site in a manner
that will not negatively impact the adjacent waterways and impacts to existing
vegetation will be minimized. Prior to construction start up, bird and den sweeps
will be completed. If any active nests, dens or other important wildlife features
are found, specific mitigation measures will be implemented.
3.0m REGIONAL PATHWAY
GRASS OUTFIELD
WARNING TRACK
SEATING/PICNIC AREA
POTENTIAL TREE
REMOVALS
(WITHIN 3m OF NEW
ROAD ALIGNMENT)
SP
RIN
PARKING LOT
G
CR
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FUTURE PLAY
STRUCTURE (NIC.)
FUTURE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION
TO ADJACENT PARK & TOWNS
PEDESTRIAN NETWORK (NIC.)
82 SPOTS
NEW ACCESS ROAD
(PRELIM ALIGNMENT
& DESIGN
BY OTHERS)
POTENTIAL TREE
REMOVALS
(WITHIN 3m OF NEW
ROAD ALIGNMENT)
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MOUNTAINVIEW
STORMPOND
EXISTING
VEGETATION
SEATING AND PICNIC AREAS
PROPOSED PLANTING AREAS
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EXISTING VEGETATION
PATHWAY
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CONCEPT ONLY:
ONLY: THIS
THIS DRAWING
DRAWING IS
IS AN
AN ARTISTIC
ARTISTIC REPRESENTATION
REPRESENTATION OF
OF DESIGNS
DESIGNS PREPARED
PREPARED BY
BY STANTEC
STANTEC CONSULTING
CONSULTING LTD.
LTD. IT
IT IS
IS CONCEPTUAL
CONCEPTUAL IN
IN NATURE
NATURE AND
AND SUBJECT
SUBJECT TO
TO CHANGE.
CHANGE. COPYRIGHT
COPYRIGHT RESERVED.
RESERVED.
CONCEPT
Public Information Session
Public
Information
Session
May 12,
2015
May
12, 2015
Okotoks
West Baseball Field
Okotoks
West
Presentation Board
#1 Baseball Field
Presentation Board #4
Design with community in mind
Design with community in mind