YORKTON - It has becoming glaringly obvious that an element of recreation sorely missing in Yorkton is a large, year-round access facility targeted largely at sport training.
Yorkton Council has been hearing about the need of such a facility for some time.
A presentation was made some time ago asking for a facility to better accommodate the growing interest in youth basketball.
Football organizers have made it clear that as robust as the sport is locally in terms of participation, the missing element is more practice space - in their case outdoor and indoor facilities.
Now this Monday Council heard at its regular meeting from Yorkton Minor Baseball and Yorkton Crush Softball a joint presentation that they would like better flooring put in the Agripavilion to better support off season training. In the presentation a field house type facility was noted as a better option but the groups acknowledged the city is facing some big budget items in the near future – specifically (hopefully) the long needed new hospital.
Now some will point to school gymnasiums as being available, and they would be correct to a point.
Councillor Quinn Haider is principal at St. Paul’s School and he noted at Monday’s meeting they get calls in January and February to book gym use time for the following school year such is the demand.
The flexihall at the Gallagher Centre is there too, but as Council heard last night it is far from ideal for baseball with a white ball being used in the sport and thrown with a white curtain backdrop.
That isn’t to say that every sport should expect a custom-made facility but it is also clear demand for space is high, and a dedicated facility would be a community asset.
It might be the ultimate asset actually.
When it comes to attracting business and people to the city recreation facilities rate highly as something companies and potential staff look for in a new home.
A multi sport facility would be a definite asset in that regard.
But, more importantly it would be a facility largely focused on youth sports. That is a double win in that anything which keeps youth physically active is a good thing in an increasingly computer-screen bound world.
And off season training for youth elite in their sport is an asset as they progress to provincial, national, international and even professional competition in their future. The facility would be a talent boost for all, and in particular aid the already naturally talented.
Such a facility will not come cheap, and the recreation levy in place is already earmarked to pay off the major investments at Deer Park Golf Course and the Kinsmen Arena, so it’s unlikely to happen as soon as it probably should.
But a new version of Council launches this fall and planning for – including starting to dedicate some reserve dollars annually – to a ‘field house’ project would seem a very good place for them to start their tenure.
tenure.
