Mission Sports & Recreation Forum Results

BABICH, EARL

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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BAINS, JASH

Candidate provided comments :

As a parent of three boys who play soccer and basketball, I understand firsthand how important access to safe, quality recreational facilities is for children and families. Having grown up in India, where participation in sports and physical activities is strongly encouraged for children, I also understand the importance of investing in opportunities for our youth.

I support building and improving sports infrastructure as Mission grows. If elected, I would support a long-term sports-field strategy that looks at current and future demand, sport-specific needs, maintenance, replacement capacity, land availability and sustainable funding.

I would also support exploring additional dedicated fastpitch diamonds and improvements at Hatzic Park, as well as provincial and federal grants, partnerships, sponsorships and other funding opportunities to help reduce the burden on taxpayers.

I believe youth sports deserve safe, accessible and properly maintained facilities, and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with your association and hear more about your priorities.

BOYD, ADAM

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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DAVIES, MARK

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: Yes. I support expanding Mission’s inventory of dedicated, regulation fastpitch and softball diamonds, alongside facilities for other sports. That means understanding and planning for the specific requirements of each sport. The City should identify potential locations through discussions with MMFA and other sport and recreation user groups, considering City-owned land, where our community is growing, and opportunities for developers to help deliver facilities. Planning across user groups should begin early so we understand as many needs and requirements as possible. That allows us to coordinate projects, share supporting amenities where practical, and reduce costs while ensuring each sport has suitable facilities. Funding should include pursuing provincial and federal grants, exploring partnerships and developer contributions, and planning for City investment. Ongoing maintenance costs also need to be included.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: Yes. For City projects that remove or significantly alter sports fields, I support providing equivalent or improved replacement capacity, including facilities that meet the requirements of the affected sports. For school district projects, I support early coordination between the district, the City and affected user groups to identify replacement options wherever possible. The City’s ability to help will depend on whether suitable infrastructure and space are available. In either case, avoiding disruption to team seasons should be a priority. I would ask staff to work with affected organizations on project timing and transition arrangements to keep players on the field.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: Hatzic Park is a beautiful community asset, and I believe there is an opportunity to make better use of it through improvements that encourage more recreation and sport. I support assessing the improvements you have identified—including drainage, field infrastructure, lighting, washrooms and change rooms, storage, spectator amenities and a potential field house—as part of a coordinated planning process with park users. That work should establish the priorities, costs and practical requirements, then turn them into a clear plan for delivery, including funding and ongoing maintenance.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: I view both the Leisure Centre and Mission Sports Park as being at capacity in their current configurations. While an updated Master Plan is in place for the Leisure Centre and Centennial Park, we still need a clear plan for new or additional sports facilities. Sharing sites and amenities can offer benefits, but it can also create conflicts between sports with different requirements. Each proposal needs to be assessed with the affected user groups. I recognize your point that general-purpose fields cannot automatically be treated as equivalent replacements for dedicated fastpitch diamonds. I hope the next Council makes investing in sport a priority. We should plan for what Mission’s sports clubs will need over the next 25 years, providing facilities our community can grow into.

If City projects change or remove existing fields, I support equivalent or improved replacement capacity that meets the requirements of the affected sports, with transition planning to avoid disrupting team seasons.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: Staffing levels should reflect the City’s facilities and service requirements, with any additional resources brought to Council through the budget process. Assessing staffing, maintenance requirements and field conditions should be part of our sports-facility planning. As facilities expand and demand increases, we will need additional staff and resources to operate and maintain them and sustain the high level of service Mission provides today. Planning for those ongoing costs alongside construction costs will help ensure we can properly support the facilities we build.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Yes. I support a long-term sports-field strategy developed with sport and recreation user groups that identifies current and projected demand, sport-specific requirements, land needs, upgrades, new facilities and funding for both construction and ongoing operations. We need to move forward on short-term opportunities to improve the facilities we have today while planning for what Mission will need over the next 25 years. That strategy must lead to action, with clear priorities, timelines and a phased investment plan that Council can work to deliver.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: The City has an important role in providing safe, properly maintained facilities and working with youth sport organizations to understand their needs. I absolutely support developing infrastructure that allows Mission to host tournaments and regional events—for fastpitch, lacrosse, basketball, football, baseball and other sports. Tournament capacity should be part of our planning, alongside the everyday needs of local players and teams. Recreation brings our community together. It gives young people opportunities to make friends and participate in a positive, supportive environment, while connecting people of all ages. And I would certainly want an invitation to the games and tournaments!

HARTNELL, DAVE

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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HERAR, KEN

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: Yes, I support increasing Mission’s dedicated fastpitch and softball capacity. I recognize that a general-purpose sports field is not necessarily a replacement for a regulation fastpitch diamond.

I would support working directly with MMFA and other user groups to determine what is needed, identify suitable locations, and look at all available funding options. That should include applicable grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and fundraising opportunities so we are not relying solely on taxpayers, families, or individual sports organizations to fund improvements.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: Yes. If an established sports field is removed or significantly changed, I believe there should be a plan for equivalent or improved replacement capacity.

As Mission grows, we should be increasing recreational opportunities and sports capacity, not losing them.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: The situation at Hatzic Park needs attention, particularly the washrooms. This has been an issue for a long time, and proper washroom and change facilities are basic necessities for players, coaches, families, officials, and visiting teams.

While we work toward permanent facilities, I would support investigating the feasibility and cost of renting or purchasing a mobile restroom and change-room trailer. It could potentially be used at Hatzic and moved to other city facilities for tournaments, events, or wherever the need is greatest.

I also support addressing drainage, lighting, storage, and spectator amenities and continuing to pursue a permanent field house and proper facilities at Hatzic.

I would like to see us investigate available grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and appropriate fundraising opportunities to help fund these improvements rather than placing the entire cost on the community.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: I believe we need both multi-sport and dedicated sport-specific facilities.

Different sports have different requirements. If a fastpitch or softball diamond is removed or converted, I want to know where those players are going to play before that capacity is lost.

We shouldn’t solve the needs of one sport by creating a shortage for another. We need to look at the overall needs of our sports community when making these decisions.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I believe we need to make sure our parks department has sufficient staffing and resources to properly maintain our existing fields and facilities.

There is no point investing in sports infrastructure if we cannot properly maintain it.

I also think we need to listen closely to the coaches, volunteers, athletes, officials, families, and organizations that use these facilities regularly. They know firsthand where the problems are and what needs attention.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Yes, I support a long-term sports-field strategy.

Mission needs to look ahead at current and projected demand, population growth, participation numbers, sport-specific facility needs, available land, replacement capacity, new construction, upgrades to existing facilities, maintenance, and long-term capital funding.

I would also want organizations such as MMFA and other sports groups involved in that planning. The people who actually use these facilities should have a voice in identifying what is needed now and what will be needed as Mission grows.

Planning ahead also gives us more time to pursue grants, partnerships, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities rather than waiting until there is an urgent need and expecting taxpayers, families, or sports organizations to carry the entire cost.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: Yes, I believe the city has an important role in ensuring our youth and athletes have access to safe, properly maintained facilities.

I support working toward enough fastpitch capacity for Mission to host tournaments and regional events.

Having been involved in sports for much of my life, I know the value these events can bring. They create opportunities for athletes of different ages and levels, bring people together, and bring visiting teams and families into Mission, supporting our local businesses at the same time.

We won’t be able to address everything overnight, but I believe there are practical things we can do now while planning for the future.

Addressing the washroom and change-room situation at Hatzic, exploring a mobile facility as an interim solution, improving and maintaining our existing fields, protecting replacement capacity, and actively pursuing outside funding are good places to start.

Sports have given me a great deal throughout my life, and I want others in our community to have those same opportunities.

JACKSON, ROB

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: I would like to see the entire park converted to a fastball complex.  This would then give a location to have fastball at 1 location instead of spread across the city.   This would then utilize Hatzic Elementary, New Mission High School, Lower Diamond of Heritage Park Middle and even the Leisure Centre ball diamond as future arterial turf diamonds for other youth clubs.  This would give your Organization 4 fastball diamonds and 4-5 artificial turf locations for Soccer/Lacrosse/Other.   It would need to be based off the Mission Rotary field, where it is a 4 diamond complex, with a clubhouse in the corner.   As a father of a 13 year old child, I want to see more youth sports in our city.  When I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s in East Vancouver, youth sports was a method of keeping children away from crime, gangs and drugs.   I played fastball with Falaise Park Minor Baseball, from age 5-18..  I played soccer with the ICSF(Ital-Canadian Soccer Federation) on the Metro Gold team from ages 8-10.  I played football with the Trojans Youth Football Club from ages 6-9.   During High School, I attended Notre Dame Regional Secondary where I was involved with the Jugglers Junior football team.   I was also involved at ND in track & field, where I still hold the longest recorded Javelin throw in school history.   So as you can tell, I have youth sports in mind.   Amongst concerns and creative ideas to address low-income housing for seniors, disabled and domestic abuse victims, youth sports are on the top of my list.   I am running on bringing revenue to the city, to reduce or at least keep property taxes at the utmost lowest.   I believe a dollar is a dollar and a penny is a penny, the city needs to get everything it can to reduce property tax hikes.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: I do agree.  Supplementing 1 sport for another, or 1 space in exchange of losing another is unacceptable.   The city of Mission has lost too much because of previous choices.   I believe that a strictly fastball complex at Silverdale would not only make replacement impossible, but would cement something that can’t be changed in the future, and/or removed.   For example: the youth baseball diamonds at Rotary field.  I don’t see the city ever digging those up to replace them with another sport. It would be costly and change a complex that has been around for multiple years.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I would prefer to utilize a permanent home for fastball.   Hatzic has a capacity for 2 maybe 3 diamonds, based on the large hill in the south corner.   My son at age 5 played youth softball at that field.   It has limited expansion abilities, based on the residential housing along the fence line.  As fastball is played on a diamond, it would be insufficient for future upgrades.   Residential complaints would definitely increase, if balls we’re breaking windows of homes, and it would also create a need to taller fencing and other deflection and protection costs.   As the fence line is relatively a straight line, it would be better suited for soccer, or another rectangular shaped sport.   A single-level clubhouse for soccer/lacrosse could be built along the street at the point of entry, with washrooms and change rooms.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: I would think that the city would try to utilize its greenspace, to prevent any further residential development.   In the past the city seemed to approve multi-unit dwellings and single unit developments haphazardly.   We are limited to greenspace inside the city core.   The city needs to utilize what it has left, to preserve what it has left.   Considering that  the high school will remove that diamond on Grand & 7th, while in the future it may have plans to change the diamond outside the Leisure Centre.   If there was a facility, that provided a home for fastball, with potential for preserving greenspace, why not act now, before fastball is moved to Abbotsford and we lose revenue from rental fees.   Prior to moving to Mission in 2012, I ran 2 separate Adult Softball Leagues, 4 years as President of Burnaby Slo-Pitch and 4 years as Vice-President of Citywide Sports.   So I understand the costs to run leagues and what park rental fees resulted from, to the city.   At that time, prime fields were $36/hour and $29/hour for lesser desired fields.  This was in Vancouver and Burnaby primarily.   Given that in Burnaby SloPitch had 16 teams, and CityWide had 36 times and each played 20 games a season, expenses for rental was approx. 65-75% of our costs.   To cut costs, Burnaby SloPitch was self-umped.   To utilize the field, couldn’t fastball be run in Spring, Summer and Fall League play.   In my youth, I was able to play 365 days a year in slo-pitch, with leagues and season running all year, including tournaments.   With a complex built especially for fastball, this would also be an option.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I do believe that city staffing levels are competent to cover this new development.   If an additional staff member is needed, the additional revenue from rentals would cover a part-time employee.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: As you have identified in your original email, the field at the current high school has an unknown future.   The field at the leisure Centre also has an unknown future.   With these 2 fields being slated for future builds, the options are pretty slim that utilizing Hatzic, a field you have already identified as having failing drainage, no washrooms, no clubhouse and that fact that it has very limited expansion potential, fastball in Mission is ending, unless something drastic must be done.   Utilizing a derelict, empty, unused greenspace, whereas it has the size, the utility, the existing baseball backstops, relatively flat land, and potential for 4 diamonds, is the best course of action to preserve this sport in Mission.   This field also has adequate parking along the edge of the park, it has infrastructure to support a clubhouse with drainage, sewer, water, due to a functioning Community Center.  Building a single level bunker style clubhouse with washrooms, charge rooms and storage for supplies makes it an effective area.   Costs would be substantially lower, as the field has a relative flat field, so drainage and leveling would be minimal cost.  A bunker style building made of concrete Allan block is cheap to build, and with utilities already accessible, costs would be smaller than to have to bring sewer, water, drainage from the street or along the street.   The backstops are already on field, so no new costs would be needed.  Tournaments could be ran, and rental of the community center could be used for events, such as AGMs(Annual General Meeting), food services during tournaments and even if necessary, a beer service indoors.   To also supplement revenue, the fields could be used for Softball, if the mounds are removable.   This would then give possible all year round play for fastball and softball.   Also, as mentioned above, the fields could be used for U5-U7 youth in the grass outfields.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: No Response to this question

KALOYA, RAMNEEK

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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KHERA, AMAN

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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KOCH, CANDACE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: Yes. I would support identifying the need, suitable locations and costs for additional dedicated diamonds. I would also support exploring grants, partnerships, sponsorships and private funding. Mission has faced increasing pressure on residents through property taxation year over year, so alternative funding will be critical. 

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: Yes. If we remove or significantly change a field, equivalent or improved replacement capacity should be part of the plan from the beginning. We should not leave local sports organizations with less capacity.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I would support assessing the needs at Hatzic Park, particularly drainage and field infrastructure, while also looking at lighting, washrooms, storage and spectator amenities. A field house should be explored if there is a demonstrated need and sustainable funding.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: We need both multi sport and dedicated facilities. If existing fields are removed or repurposed, equivalent or improved replacement capacity should be planned as part of that decision.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I would want to understand current staffing, maintenance schedules and where the gaps are. Fields need to be properly maintained and safe, and demonstrated gaps should be addressed.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Absolutely. We need to plan ahead rather than continually play catch up. A long term strategy would help identify demand, land acquisition, upgrades and funding needs as Mission grows.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: The City has an important role in providing safe, accessible and properly maintained facilities. I would support looking at what is needed for local play, tournaments and regional events.

MCLEOD, NORM

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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MARINUTTI, MARTIN

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: I would support examining the need for additional dedicated regulation fastpitch/softball diamonds in Mission.

I wouldn’t be able to commit to building a particular number of new diamonds before Council has good information about current utilization, projected participation, sport-specific requirements, suitable locations, capital costs and ongoing maintenance costs.

The City’s current Master Plan already calls for exploring land on Mission’s west side for future sports-park development. I would support ensuring that fastpitch and other sport organizations have an opportunity to identify their needs as the City determines what facilities should ultimately be included in a future sports park.

I would also want the City to explore grants, partnerships, sponsorships, fundraising and other funding sources rather than assuming property taxpayers must bear the entire cost.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: Yes, I think replacement capacity should be considered when an existing sports facility is permanently removed or significantly altered.

This isn’t just a hypothetical issue at Mission Secondary. As I’m sure you’re aware, the School District has confirmed that the existing baseball/softball diamond will become a multi-purpose practice field and that a ball diamond is not currently included in the replacement-school project.

I wouldn’t necessarily promise a one-for-one replacement in every circumstance. A better facility elsewhere, a shared facility or a different configuration may sometimes provide a better solution. But when specialized recreational capacity is being lost, I believe Council should understand the impact and determine how that need will be accommodated.

The City’s Parks, Recreation & Culture Master Plan already calls for co-planning with the School District and Province on expanded recreation opportunities at the Mission Secondary site. I would therefore want the City and School District to discuss the lost diamond as part of those partnership discussions, while also considering whether replacement capacity would make more sense at Hatzic Park or as part of a future sports park.

Any solution should consider cost-sharing and outside funding rather than automatically placing the entire cost on Mission taxpayers.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I think Hatzic deserves particular attention because improvements there are already contemplated in the City’s Master Plan.

Recommendation 7.2-O calls for a new playground and field house at Hatzic Park. The playground has been completed, while the updated plan identifies the washroom building as planned and carries a $500,000 capital estimate for the recommendation.

Before creating another commitment, I would first want to know the current status of that project and what work remains outstanding, if any.

I would also support having the drainage and condition of the existing diamonds properly assessed. There is little benefit in having sports fields on paper if drainage or other deficiencies regularly prevent them from being used.

Lighting, storage, washrooms/change rooms, spectator amenities and other improvements should then be considered together, prioritized according to need and properly costed, including their ongoing maintenance costs.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: I agree with MMFA on an important point: different sports have different facilities. A general-purpose rectangular field isn’t automatically equivalent to a dedicated fastpitch diamond.

This is particularly relevant at the Leisure Centre. The City’s Activity Hub plan proposes transforming the existing baseball diamond into a multi-sport complex incorporating soccer, basketball and pickleball facilities. It also proposes a synthetic-turf soccer field as part of the longer-term redevelopment. If implementing that plan removes existing fastpitch capacity, I believe that loss should be clearly identified and considered before the project proceeds.

At the same time, land and public funds are limited, so multi-use facilities will likely continue to have an important place in Mission’s recreation system. The objective should be to find an appropriate balance between flexible multi-use facilities and purpose-built facilities where a sport genuinely requires them.

The forthcoming Recreation Facility Strategy and planning for the future sports park should provide good opportunities to examine that balance.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I don’t have enough information at this point to responsibly say that the City has too many or too few Parks employees.

The Master Plan itself identifies additional Parks staffing as a future need. But before approving additional positions, I would want Council to understand the specific problems those positions are intended to solve and what measurable improvements residents and user groups should expect.

For sports fields, I would want information such as maintenance standards and schedules, drainage and field-condition problems, closures, utilization and whether existing staffing and equipment are sufficient to meet established service levels.

If that evidence demonstrates a staffing or equipment shortage, Council should consider it through the annual budget process. If improvements can instead be achieved through better scheduling, work practices or allocation of existing resources, those options should also be examined.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Yes. In fact, I think this is preferable to Council dealing with individual facility requests one at a time.

Mission’s updated Master Plan already calls for development of a Recreation Facility Strategy as a 0–2 year priority. The City says it should be developed with the community and address the feasibility and prioritization of future recreation needs.

I would support ensuring that an engagement process includes local organizations representing various sport groups so they can provide participation and utilization information and identify their sport-specific facility requirements.

The resulting strategy should give Council a factual basis for establishing priorities, i.e. what facilities we already have, their condition and utilization, what we’re losing or changing, what additional capacity population growth will require, what land is needed, what projects will cost to build and maintain, and what funding sources are available.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: I believe the City has an important role in ensuring youth and community sport organizations have reasonable access to safe and properly maintained public facilities.

I would also be open to examining whether tournament-capable fastpitch facilities make sense for Mission. If improved facilities can serve local youth throughout the season while also attracting tournaments and visitors to Mission, that’s certainly relevant to the business case.

But I would want that case established rather than assumed. I’m a numbers guy. So that means looking at projected utilization, tournament demand, capital and operating costs, potential economic benefits, partnership and grant opportunities, and how the proposal compares with other recreation priorities.

I don’t believe municipal taxpayers necessarily have to be the only funding source. Where appropriate, senior-government grants, partnerships, sponsorships, fundraising, user-group contributions and shared-use arrangements should all be explored.

Overall, I think MMFA raises a fair point: recreation planning can’t simply count the number of fields. It also has to consider whether Mission has the right types of facilities for the sports our residents actually participate in.

At the same time, Mission has many competing recreation and infrastructure priorities, and Council has a responsibility to establish priorities and consider both the initial construction cost and the long-term cost of operating and maintaining new facilities.

I therefore wouldn’t promise that a particular facility will be built before the need, cost, location, alternatives and funding have been properly examined. One Councillor couldn’t make that promise in any event, as it would ultimately be Council’s decision.

What I would support is making sure fastpitch’s needs are properly considered through the Recreation Facility Strategy the City has already committed to developing, examining practical improvements to the facilities we already have, and ensuring that organizations such as MMFA have a meaningful opportunity to participate in that process.

MATTE, JAY

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: This is something I would need more data on and spend time to learn with our city workers (CUPE staff). I would need to sit down with the Community and Recreation Services (and most likely with you as well) to define the current and future needs and where the budget can be planned accordingly or at the very least make a plan to head in that direction.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: This is something I am also not in the loop with and would need more information. I would think/hope that there would be temporary fields (locally or in neighbouring communities) to replace ones that are not able to be used, especially if the have been earmarked for local sports teams to use during construction or municipal projects.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: This is something I would need to check in with Public Works and Community and Recreation Services. We should be protecting the investment of our parks with this list, in particular drainage (see note about flooding above) and lighting (a safety issue). I can’t speak much to a field house due to not having the context or history of this request.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: Again, more data would be needed here. I also feel there is some crossover info from question 1 and if there was more data and context from our city staff, I could be better prepared to answer this.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I would have to spend time as a city councillor to truly determine an answer to this to learn the pinch points of staffing. One thing I have heard from both staff and residents is that many departments are stretched thin. To truly understand the challenge, I would have to do an audit with fellow staff and councillors to determine if we can be more efficient or if we would have to add staff – but adding staff would have a cost and that is a bigger conversation about budgeting, taxes and howwe spend money as a new Mayor and Council. If elected, I have a feeling that I begin by finding ways to be better at being efficient, and if that approach would not be sufficient, we would explore adding staff or other options to fill that gap

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Again, more data needed here. Yes, I keep going back to “data”, but this is how I tend to make decisions along with time doing research. I would have to look back at the last budget and data in regards to our current plans for current and future needs.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: I believe the city already has a healthy relationship with the local sports organizations and provide great facilities. Can they be improved? Yes. Can they be safer and better maintained? This is where more data comes in. I’m the type of person that would prefer to attend each site in person and talk about the challenges each organization has and how the city can help. I have many friends and family that are involved in sports here, myself included (I still skateboard often and have a skateboard club during the summer) and know that each sporting/park location has its challenges and ways we can improve them. Once example is that our skateboard park is constantly filled with rocks and garbage within the park on the ramps and entire area, has only one garbage can, and is never maintained by the city other than periodically emptying the garbage cans. Debris in the park can result in serious injury, so it is often the ones who use the park that end up trying to clean it – using their own brooms, leaf blowers and even bondo to fill the cracks. I do think if we all chip in, every bit helps keep our facilities safe and maintained, but the city must also play a role and I would certainly play a part in keeping them in the shape they deserve to be in.

MAXWELL, KARY

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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MCKINNON, LUCAS

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: I 100% support the building of additional diamonds/facilities moving forward. It is my assumption that city staff, council, and the general public aren’t aware of the current and future needs of your organization, and I believe the first step should be to sit down with yourself and your membership to try and best understand your projected growth, and the demands of the different types of programs you are currently offering and plan to offer in the future. I’m a baseball coach and board member, but I’m not going to pretend even I understand all of the complexities of your facility requirements. I have said this throughout my campaign, the most efficient solution to many problems facing our community would be to start to listening to our residents and community leaders. 

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: If the city removes athletic facilities for other projects, equivalent or improved facilities should be provided. I believe they should be provided prior to the removal having an impact on the organizations that use them, personally. In your case, regarding the diamond at MSS, it’s a little trickier, as those are Provincial governments with budgets outside of our own. I don’t believe the city should rely on growing facility needs to be covered by the Province, however. The demand for a new school and the benefit it provides to our community, ( and the severe lack of funding/opportunities for such a project) puts us in a rather poor negotiating position to demand that certain parks facilities be maintained. These changes should absolutely be accounted for in our long-term planning process, however.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: If Hatzic park is to be an adequate public fastpitch facility moving forward – accessible washrooms would be the bare minimum. I’m surprised to hear that there aren’t currently adequate facilities, it’s not exactly a rural part of our community, and washrooms would service a larger population than just those your own organization. If Hatzic park is to be the permanent ” home base” (pun intended) of your organization, other amenities would have to be considered. Safe and accessible storage is a must for organizations like yours to provide meaningful programming without placing burdens on your volunteers( and by extension creating more barriers for play). The proper lighting of our grass fields and diamonds is, in my opinion, one of the most cost-effective ways we can expand our current facility offerings without needing to build new ones, as it allows for more field time and longer seasons. A similar conversation can be had for fields 3 and 4 at the Mission Sports park. 

Drainage and other field upgrades are similarly slotted – as Baseball and softball are fair weather sports ( often with strict regulations about the safety requirements around having standing water on the field) – improvements would allow for more access times throughout the year for our fair weather sports, and greater safety for our athletes. 

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: Many people (including city staff) don’t seem understand the specific facility requirements of Baseball and softball. To be able to participate in inter-league play, tournaments, etc, there are minimum field specifications that need to be followed. We can’t just throw a few bases down on a grass field somewhere and run these programs. If we are to properly service the organizations in our community, it starts with understanding the actual standards that these organizations are held to, which would include field sizing specifications and infield conditions ( including grass length, base paths, mound heights, etc). 

There are artificial turf facilities in surrounding municipalities that are able to be converted for different user groups without needing separate purpose built fields for every single user within our community. That being said, whether we approach the problem by having separate facilities or shared facilities that accommodate all users, we need to approach the problem. It would be short-sighted, and a bit of a band-aid solution to try and solve one organizations problems by creating additional facility problems for another organization. 

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I don’t believe we are properly staffed. Baseball has been told repeatedly ( when trying to address field maintenance concerns) that maintenance crew budgets and resources are too limited to accommodate our requests in the timelines that we need them to be accommodated in. This should be sufficient evidence to support the claim. That being said, if we had been told otherwise, the evidence is easily found elsewhere – regularly we see mowing schedules missed, delays in addressing standard repair and maintenance ( such as sprinklers, holes in our fields, uneven surfaces, and standard upkeep on fence lines and dugouts) 

I’d be curious to know what impact could be had by having a dedicated maintenance worker for specific facilities, such as the Mission Sports Park. Perhaps the caretaker role should be expanded to include parks maintenance, with a salary that reflects these responsibilities. This not only creates a more appealing job, but would be a more efficient way to tackle the ongoing maintenance requirements of one of our largest facilities. 

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: I absolutely support a long term plan – I think we should have had that in place yesterday. If we are interested in keeping pace with our growing community, we should never really become stagnant on the construction of new facilities. These capital expansions should constantly be a required line item on current and future budgets, and those needs should be relatively easy to identify if we were to improve our outreach with our field users, our community, and Mission Sports Council. 

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: The politics of youth sport participation, and the idea of remaining “competitive” with programming in neighbouring communities is an interesting one. Organizations can see membership numbers falter if they don’t have adequate facilities to run programs, or even if it is perceived that we don’t have adequate facilities. Hosting tournaments, especially Provincial tournaments, is an incredible opportunity for organizations to showcase our home, our community, and our talent, while also providing a priceless and often unforgettable memory for our own players. We shouldn’t just be aiming to “keep pace” with surrounding clubs, we should be aiming to raise the bar and set the standard. Fastpitch has plenty of work to do to continue to grow and attract talent from within the Fraser Valley, and we should look to support them in their goals. Adequate facilities is one crucial piece of that puzzle, and in speaking from experience from Baseball, one of the most commonly observed gaps/pain points for our membership. 

I’ve said it before, and it’s not exactly the most popular political opinion to hold right now, especially in the middle of a global affordability crisis. An ongoing investment in our parks infrastructure is not a luxury, it should not be viewed as discretionary spending, but rather a core service to be provided to our community. There are definitely costs associated with these types of commitments, and those costs should be mitigated as often as possible through grants and other programs, and they certainly aren’t cheap. But the costs associated with ignoring or abandoning these efforts for long periods of time dramatically outweigh the costs of building them. The short and long term social impacts of ensuring that youth in our community have reliable access to organized recreation are priceless, and should not be ignored. 

If elected, it would be my commitment to ensure that this opinion is presented, understood, and pursued in our planning discussions. 

MCLAY, STEVE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: I support looking into additional regulation of fastpitch diamonds. I’d want City staff to meet with your association and other user groups to identify what the existing diamonds can accommodate, what could be upgraded, and how many more are needed. Then we can look at locations, costs, and funding, including grants and sponsorships.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: When a project removes a field, replacement capacity should be included in the planning and budget, ideally ready before the existing field closes. For school projects, the City and school district need to work together on that

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I’d start with drainage, safe playing conditions, and adequate washrooms. Lighting, storage, seating, and change rooms should also be assessed. I’d be more cautious about a field house until we know how much it would be used and what it would cost. Staff should work with your association and other users to determine whether it makes sense. Washrooms and change rooms also need a plan for access, security, and maintenance.

I’d like an update on the improvements already identified in the City’s parks plan. I’d be happy to meet at Hatzic Park so you can show me the issues firsthand.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: I’d like to understand what changes the Sports Park diamonds would need to work for fastpitch and how that would affect other sports. It’s been years since I played baseball, so I’d be happy to meet there and have you walk me through it.

I would also like to see the Leisure Centre spray park expanded while keeping the diamond usable. That would mean checking whether fencing or other protection from home runs is needed. I’d like your association and other user groups involved. If the design affects the diamond’s use, we would need to address replacement capacity.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I don’t know enough about current workloads to say whether more staff are needed. I want to hear from parks staff and field users about recurring problems and what’s causing them. Then we can address any gaps in staffing, equipment, or maintenance funding.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Mission has a recreation master plan. I’d want to see how your needs fit into it and what can move forward, with costs and timelines attached. I’d also look into the status of the City’s recreation advisory committees. I’d like an active committee where sports organizations have a seat and can raise these issues regularly.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: Keeping fields safe and usable for local teams comes first. I also support looking into what’s needed to host fastpitch tournaments and what it would cost. I know people who come to Mission for baseball games and tournaments. Bringing visiting teams and families here can help local businesses as well.

If elected, I would push to get this work moving during the next council term and seek Council’s support for pursuing grants, sponsorships, and partnerships to minimize the impact on property taxes.

NARWAL, INDER

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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PAPADOPOULOS, KOSTAS

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: Yes, I support increasing Mission’s inventory of dedicated fastpitch and softball facilities where there is demonstrated community demand and a responsible financial plan.

I believe the City should work with local sports organizations to identify suitable locations, determine the actual demand and capacity required, obtain accurate cost estimates, and look at opportunities for grants, partnerships and other funding sources.

I also believe different sports have different facility requirements. A general-purpose field should not automatically be considered a replacement for a purpose-built fastpitch diamond if it cannot actually meet the needs of that sport.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: When a municipal or school project removes an existing sports facility, I believe the community should have a clear replacement plan.

We need to avoid simply losing recreation capacity as Mission grows. Where practical, replacement facilities should provide equal or improved capacity and should be planned before existing facilities are removed.

That should apply to all sports—not just fastpitch.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I would support reviewing Hatzic Park with the goal of making it a stronger facility for youth sports and the broader community.

That review should include drainage, field quality, lighting, washrooms and change rooms, storage, spectator areas and the possibility of a field house.

The City should determine the costs, priorities and potential funding sources, then establish a realistic timeline. I would also want to hear directly from MMFA and other user groups about what improvements would make the biggest difference.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: Mission needs multi-sport facilities, but we also need to recognize that different sports require different types of fields.

I would not want to see dedicated fastpitch capacity disappear simply because another type of sports field exists elsewhere in the community.

The City should look at the entire recreation system and make decisions based on actual demand, safety, accessibility, field capacity and future growth.

If an existing fastpitch facility is removed or substantially changed, I would expect Council to identify the replacement capacity needed before making that decision.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: Before building more facilities, we have to make sure we are properly maintaining the facilities we already own.

Safe and playable fields should be a priority. I would support reviewing whether Parks staff have the resources necessary to keep up with Mission’s growth and, where there is a demonstrated need, investing in additional staffing or equipment.

I also want to see accountability for how those resources are being used. Taxpayers deserve good value for every dollar spent

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Absolutely. I support a long-term sports-field and recreation strategy.

Mission is growing, and we need to stop planning one project at a time. We should identify current demand, projected population growth, sport-specific requirements, available land, maintenance requirements, construction costs and long-term funding.

The City’s current planning work already recognizes the need for long-term recreation facilities planning, and I believe that work should continue with meaningful input from local sports organizations.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: Youth need positive things to do, and organized sports provide opportunities for teamwork, discipline, fitness and community involvement.

I support working toward facilities that allow Mission organizations to grow and, where financially and operationally feasible, allow Mission to host tournaments and regional events.

That can also bring families into our community and support local businesses.

My Commitment

If elected, I would be committed to bringing sports organizations, residents, City staff and Council together to develop a practical recreation plan for Mission.

My priorities are affordability, safety, responsible spending and creating more opportunities for our youth.

I don’t believe we should make promises without knowing the costs. But I do believe we need to identify our needs, set priorities and make sure Mission is planning ahead rather than constantly trying to catch up.

PERRITT, DAVE

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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PLECAS, DANNY

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: I would support more fastball/ softball fields. As to location , unless we can convert or expand current locations, l would look to build a series of new fields. L think we need to look at West Silverdale or even  Shaw Pit {Im not sure , it suitability but it is large enough for a number of sports fields}.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: AS to replacement of fields due to construction, that should be factored in before the construction begins. Its just can you get a suitable location and what is the cost to build a relocated field {is it permanent or not}.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: Im unsure what the plan was for Hatzic Park, with the $500,000 investment. Hopefully it covered off everything you mentioned. 

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: This is a bit of a though question, the Lesiure Center requires a great deal of attention and staff resources and as it is our only pool and hockey arena , it is given high priority . The sports field are secondary due to heavy use in non-winter seasons. As to additional fields or replacement fields it really comes down to cost and budgeting availability.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: As to adequate staffing, I need to rely on the General Manager. I believe the review he has undertaken could bring clarity around this issue.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: I would certainly support a long term strategy that provides for current and future needs. The challenge face , is being able to finance a plan moving forward. As l mentioned from our Master Plan we are currently underfunded. The only, real way to work through a plan in the foreseeable future, is to package a number of key community sports project and determine , should we borrow that amount or less { refine the number , based on community desire) and just get it done. It may be possible to get grants , federally or Provincially , but no guarantee . Sometimes , the Finance Dept, will suggest some internal account to fund a small capital project. But at the end of the day, unless , we borrow, these needs , may take years to get done.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: I understand from this question , that you envision the growth of Fastball and want to be tournament ready in the future. That would be great to see. I would support build more fields that accommodate the growing need both is softball and fastball. The concern is , for a smaller community like Mission and it various other needs are we willing and able to finance such endeavours.

L believe a well defined plan , that serve a number of user groups is necessary , due to our growth. The most likely option is to borrow if we want quick turnaround.

POLOUNINE, MARIA

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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RAI, MANNY

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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SANDHU, SHARON

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: Yes, I support exploring additional dedicated fastpitch and softball diamonds. The City should work directly with local sports organizations to understand demand, identify suitable locations and pursue grants, partnerships and other funding opportunities

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: If a dedicated sports facility is removed or significantly altered/ changed I believe equivalent or improved replacement capacity should be part of the plan. A general multi purpose field is not always an appropriate replacement for a sport specific one.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I would support improvements at Hatzic Park, beginning with drainage and field conditions so the diamonds are consistently safe and usable. Washrooms, storage, lighting, spectator areas and a potential field house should also be considered as part of future planning.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: Multi use facilities are important but some sports require dedicated infrastructure. If existing diamonds are removed or changed, replacement capacity should be identified before those spaces are lost.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: We also need to ensure the City has the staffing and resources required to properly maintain the recreation infrastructure we already have.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Yes, I support a long term sports field strategy that considers population growth, participation, sport specific needs, land availability, upgrades, replacement capacity and long term funding.

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: The City should be a strong partner in ensuring youth organizations have access to safe, properly maintained facilities. I would also support exploring greater tournament capacity where it makes financial and operational sense, as I first hand have seen how it can benefit local athletes, families and businesses. 

Overall my position is simple: as Mission grows, we need to protect recreation space for our kids and families and make sure infrastructure keeps pace with that growth

SANGHERA, GARY

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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SANGHERA, RAV

Answer:  I support expanding Mission’s fastpitch/softball diamonds. The City of Mission should work with local softball groups to assess demand and identify suitable sites based on land availability, parking, accessibility, environmental impact, drainage, lighting, and tournament potential. Funding could come from a combination of City of Mission funds, provincial/federal grants, development contributions and sponsorships. The University of the Fraser Valley could potentially play a useful role, especially as a community partner.

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: Yes. When sports fields get demolished or modified through school construction or any other city projects, there needs to be an effort made to provide alternative or even better facilities where possible. The replacement of these facilities should be planned before the current ones are destroyed.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer:  would support a phased approach to improving Hatzic Park, starting with:

·       Upgrading drainage and field conditions to reduce cancellations and extend the playing season resulting in make – up games being played. 

·       Improving field infrastructure and lighting for more games and practices.

·       Upgrading change rooms, to include showers and pre – game meeting space.

·       Adding covered bleachers.

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: Dedicated fields are important for sports with specific needs. If fields are removed or changed, the City should provide equal or better replacement capacity as part of the project.

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I think the City of Mission should ensure it has enough staff, equipment and funding to properly maintain our sports fields, especially those that see the most demand.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Yes

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: The City of Mission should make sure youth sports have safe, well-maintained fields. I would also support adding enough fastpitch fields to bring tournaments throughout the season.

SAXSENA, AKANSHAA

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

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Question 2: Replacement Capacity

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Question 3: Hatzic Park

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Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

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Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

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Question 6: Long Term Planning

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Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

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TILBURY, NELSON

NO RESPONSE

Question 1: Purpose-Built Facilities

Answer: Fastpitch should be expanded with the expansion out of developing projects. The fastpitch Association needs to be involved and vigilant, attending and following up to make sure their needs are presented and woven into the official community plans which should be constantly being updated. I have always supported and remember being very loud at a particular meeting over the Mike Freeman park in Hatzic. I will continue this support, but I need your help too.    

Question 2: Replacement Capacity

Answer: Yes.

Question 3: Hatzic Park

Answer: I have supported this in the past and still support this today. 

Question 4: Mission Sports Park & Leisure Centre

Answer: When I was on Council before I met weekly with Parks and Recreation staff at a special meeting set up for me to receive briefings regarding parks and recreation.  I learned a lot and fastpitch was often at the top on the agenda. I did and will continue to support fastpitch and any other organization which supports our children, our community and our values. Again, if elected it is important for your group to remain proactive and check in with the city regularly, If elected, I am not the only one there, I will need your help and support.  

Question 5: Maintenance & Staffing

Answer: I am not yet briefed up on this and will be reviewing this and other budget issues as a first priority, if I am elected. I can’t do this alone. I will need the support of the Mayor, the rest of council, as well as the electorate.

Question 6: Long Term Planning

Answer: Of course I would support this. Can we? I don’t know yet. Given the financial pressure and huge issues I believe we are walking into, it is very hard to give a quick answer to this question.  

Question 7: Youth Sport & Tournament Capacity

Answer: As far as I know the city is providing youth sport organizations with access to safe properly maintained facilities. Is it enough? This is where your organization has to remain vigilant. I do support fields to host tournaments and regional events, however, our house has to be in order to do this first and be able to generate the financial ability to do this.