Grant Program: Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC)

Project Summary: Synthetic Field Surfacing including Indoor Facility

Soccer is a sport growing significantly in terms of popularity and participation in Markham. There are currently three formal minor soccer clubs providing programming, house leagues and rep travel opportunities serving over 10,000 youth in Markham. There are many other informal soccer clubs and users making use of field facilities in Markham.

Currently there is one outdoor facility with artificial or synthetic turf. In order to provide optimal service to residents and the major user groups, the Town of Markham would like to offer additional facilities in the two districts that currently do not have access to a synthetic turf facility – Thornhill Soccer Club and Markham Soccer Club (currently the artificial turf field serves Unionville Milliken Soccer Club).

Initial discussions have occurred with the York Region Catholic School Board to develop artificial turf fields at two high schools to optimize utilization of the fields. Further discussions have also occurred around placing a bubble over one of the fields at the high school.

Costs:

The project budgets can be broken down into further detail. Synthetic turf has not been budgeted at any of the facilities identified below at this time. At a high level, total costs for synthetic turf fields are as follows:

Facility Name	Total Upgrade Budget
Saint Roberts Catholic Secondary School, Thornhill	$2,110,000
Saint Roberts Catholic S.S. Bubble over field	$1,045,000
Brother Andrea Catholic Secondary School, Markham	$1,615,000
10% Consulting / Professional Fees	$ 477,000
TOTAL COSTS	$5,247,000

Timeline: Each project is ready to go at this time. Each project could be completed by 2011.

Benefits: Adding synthetic turf fields in these communities will enhance the overall experience of participants, will lengthen the season and ensure that youth are remaining physically active for longer periods of time each year.