Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 & 4

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Project background

The City of Waterloo is upgrading five ball diamonds within Waterloo by 2023.

This project is part of the ongoing implementation of the Outdoor Sportsfield Strategy that was completed in 2012. Our goal is to maximize the capacity of the existing diamonds and better meet the needs of the people visiting and using these diamonds.

For example, adding lighting to the diamonds will allow us to increase scheduling capacity and better support groups that play in the evening. The updates to infrastructure will ensure greater user programming for the next 20 years.

Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 and 4

Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 and 4 will undergo a major upgrade. Currently the diamonds have overlapping outfields with poor drainage and no lighting.

City staff have met with the main user groups to determine the most important upgrades required. Based on the needs identified, city staff are now considering the following upgrades, based on budget availability:

  • Separate the ball diamonds to allow for 230' (230 feet) outfields.
  • Re-orient the diamonds to provide back to back outfield separate fences.
  • Enclose the entirety of the diamonds with fencing to allow for safe play on both diamonds.
  • Install new high efficiency LED lighting to increase scheduling capacity and better support groups that play in the evening.
  • Upgrade drainage to mitigate downtime on the fields due to heavy rains and flooding.
  • Provide natural low impact development stormwater infiltration areas.
  • Install an irrigation system for the grass areas.
  • Add new accessible paths to connect the diamonds to the trails within Waterloo Park as well as the parking lot along Seagram Drive.
  • Provide naturalized planting areas throughout the facility.

A design concept rendering of the proposed upgrades to the Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 and 4

This image is available in a larger format in the document library. If you would prefer an alternate format, please contact a project team member.

Project background

The City of Waterloo is upgrading five ball diamonds within Waterloo by 2023.

This project is part of the ongoing implementation of the Outdoor Sportsfield Strategy that was completed in 2012. Our goal is to maximize the capacity of the existing diamonds and better meet the needs of the people visiting and using these diamonds.

For example, adding lighting to the diamonds will allow us to increase scheduling capacity and better support groups that play in the evening. The updates to infrastructure will ensure greater user programming for the next 20 years.

Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 and 4

Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 and 4 will undergo a major upgrade. Currently the diamonds have overlapping outfields with poor drainage and no lighting.

City staff have met with the main user groups to determine the most important upgrades required. Based on the needs identified, city staff are now considering the following upgrades, based on budget availability:

  • Separate the ball diamonds to allow for 230' (230 feet) outfields.
  • Re-orient the diamonds to provide back to back outfield separate fences.
  • Enclose the entirety of the diamonds with fencing to allow for safe play on both diamonds.
  • Install new high efficiency LED lighting to increase scheduling capacity and better support groups that play in the evening.
  • Upgrade drainage to mitigate downtime on the fields due to heavy rains and flooding.
  • Provide natural low impact development stormwater infiltration areas.
  • Install an irrigation system for the grass areas.
  • Add new accessible paths to connect the diamonds to the trails within Waterloo Park as well as the parking lot along Seagram Drive.
  • Provide naturalized planting areas throughout the facility.

A design concept rendering of the proposed upgrades to the Waterloo Park ball diamonds 3 and 4

This image is available in a larger format in the document library. If you would prefer an alternate format, please contact a project team member.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

If you have a question about ball diamonds 3 & 4 at Waterloo Park, post it here and a project team member will respond.

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    I don't see on the map any space for spectator seating/ bleachers, only tree plantings. are they under the trees? Also, please be sure the plantings along the ring road are thick enough to prevent bicycles from travelling behind home plate on Diamond Three. Currently, the trail behind home plate of diamond 3 is used as a full-speed short cut for bikes travelling from/to the ring road to the Laurel Trail. Several times I have nearly been hit by a bike whizing by as I walk off the home plate area, not something one is used to looking out for while playing baseball. Thanks!

    Toolman asked over 2 years ago

    Hello there, and thank you for the question. At this point, the seating area location has not been determined. We will look to include aluminum bleachers for each diamond. In terms of the pathway, you raise a great concern. The path will be re-oriented slightly as part of the project and we will try to improve the safety of the path for all users while doing so. Thanks again.

    Shelly

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    This is great news - those diamonds could use a makeover. WIll there be considerations for other adhoc groups that gather? These fields are used frequently by various groups (I don't believe they were necessarily part of a league or official group, just pick up). Sometimes even used for pick up games while other groups (paying users) were practicing. And certainly were used when they were too wet to be on (for example all fields were closed for Waterloo Minor Baseball, but there were still plenty of pick up games going on.... causing damage to wet fields). I'm not sure how to control this, but just saying that the wear and tear on these fields is far beyond the paid user groups. I understand construction is set for 2022. Will this allow for use of those fields during the spring/summer of 2022? The idea Mike provided about the natural sloped viewing area is a really good one.

    KellyC asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you for the question; we are excited for the makeover as well! With the new design, there will be fencing in place around the entire diamond. This will allow our maintenance team to control entry to the fields when conditions are unsuitable. The design also includes new drainage for the fields which will allow the fields to recover quicker following a rain event. The construction for this project is expected to take up the entire 2022 season. Our goal is to have both fields ready for users for spring 2023. Thanks again!

    Shelly

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    Hi. these are the diamonds my son will be using playing for tier 1 Waterloo...as a parent at the diamond there a lot has anyone considered a naturalized tiered seating (instead of buying bleachers) along the Waterloo Tennis sideline (which will be the new 3rd baseline)...it is a slopped hill already and is the perfect vantage point...you could hire earthscape or a company like that to build into the hill tiered seating or levels for all our lawn chairs...has this idea been discussed?? thanks for your help! Mike

    M Bast asked over 2 years ago

    Thank you Mike, for bringing this idea to our attention. At this time our budget does not support further spending for such seating. As funding is allocated in the future to projects in the park we will consider this idea. Thanks again! 

    Shelly

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    Hi, Will the naturalized areas be planted with native plants? In addition, will native evergreens be planted? Thanks

    KBK Design Strategies asked over 2 years ago

    Hi there, thanks for submitting this question! At this point in the project, the planting plan has not been formalized. This will occur in the final design phase. When selecting plants, we will consider native plants that fit well with the space and use them as much as possible. 

    Thanks again!

    Shelly

Page last updated: 13 Jan 2023, 11:13 AM