Mayor’s Statement: Motion on Cricket at the June 8 Committee of the Whole
Dear residents,
Thank you for sharing your questions, concerns and suggestions regarding the renovations for cricket in Central Park and more generally cricket in Burlington.
I have heard you. It’s clear residents will be best served by a transparent, coordinated response.
To that end I am working with my council colleagues to bring a motion to the next committee meeting June 8 directing staff to get additional information about the renovations at Central cricket pitch, and explore advancing options
for cricket in the city, including at Sherwood. The motion is available as item 8.3 in the June 8 Committee of the Whole agenda, found at events.Burlington.ca/meetings. A summary is below.
As this matter has previously come to all members of council and impacts other wards in the city, I am joined in sponsoring this motion by Councillor Angelo Bentivegna, in his capacity as Deputy Mayor of Recreation and Community Services, and Councillor Paul Sharman, who represents Ward 5 where Sherwood Forest Park is.
Residents and community members have raised significant concerns regarding the impact of ongoing activity at Central Park on their quality of life, including noise, extended hours of play, park use impacts, and enforcement concerns. Community members have also expressed the importance of expanding cricket opportunities across Burlington in a balanced and sustainable way.
It is important that residents receive clear answers and that all available options be properly reviewed and considered. Accordingly, the motion directs our Chief Administrative Officer to work with appropriate staff to report back with recommendations and financial implications, if any, on the following matters raised by the community:
Commencing work on the cricket pitch for Sherwood Forest Park this year in efforts to have the project shovel ready to construct as soon as possible, in partnership with Halton Region and other relevant parties.
Restricting use of the Central cricket pitch to youth and recreation-level play.
Limiting the number of consecutive hours of unpermitted pick-up play.
Increasing bylaw presence in Central Park to ensure compliance around noise and other matters.
Reporting on options to expand cricket throughout the City.
Residents are encouraged to share their feedback by delegating at committee, in person or virtually, or submitting written correspondence to the clerk for distribution to Council at Burlington.ca/delegate.
You are welcome to attend the meeting in person, June 8, 9:30am at City Hall, or watch the live stream.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Prior to the committee meeting I look forward to also seeing you at the community meeting on cricket June 3, 7-8:30pm at the Burlington Seniors Centre.
Sincerely,
Marianne Meed Ward
Mayor of Burlington