For a number of years, the Town of Essex has been exploring land options to be able to
accommodate the outdoor sports field shortage in Essex Centre. In the past, a number of main user
groups (Essex Minor Baseball, Essex Minor Soccer, Essex Ravens, and Adult Slo-Pitch leagues)
have presented to Essex Council requesting that the Town create additional fields
to accommodate their current and future needs. The Town has also received a number of
requests over past years to host more adult slo-pitch leagues, a minor football program
and additional soccer leagues in the Essex Centre area. The Town has not been able to
accommodate the requests due to lack of fields.
In 2015, a Parks, Recreation, and Culture Master Plan was conducted and the plan
recommended that the Town look at purchasing property to be able to add outdoor sport
fields to accommodate the current needs and potential growth of the community. For
example, Essex Centre previously had 9 baseball diamonds and currently there are only four
diamonds. The reduction in baseball diamonds occurred when two new elementary schools
were built in Essex Centre where the current sports fields were located.
Essex Centre is also lacking in soccer fields for all ages and sizes as there are currently only
four soccer fields (2 full size and 2 mini fields) which does not meet the demand of current
leagues (youth league, 18+ league, and 30+ league) and requests for new leagues in the Essex
Centre area. In addition, the Essex Ravens football program at one time called Essex Centre
their home location but they also had to relocate as there was no field available for their
practices or games.
9 soccer fields (4 senior, 2 junior, and 3 intermediate);
• 5 baseball diamonds (3 multi-use, 1 hardball only, 1 pee wee diamond);
• 1 multiuse stadium and amenities for football and soccer (includes turf field);
• 3 washroom/concession/storage buildings;
• Multi-use trails throughout the complex;
• 3 designated play equipment areas;
• 2 entrances off of Batten Side Road with parking on site for up to 625 vehicles; and
• 1 maintenance building.
Based on the concept plan and required site servicing, Bezaire Partners estimates the total
project cost to be just under $20,650,000 based on trade pricing during the 2018 third
quarter.
