Item - 2024.IE11.7

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the local community and appropriate Divisions, and in alignment with the Centennial Park Master Plan, to consider as part of the phased implementation of the proposed Baseball Hub, the potential for complimentary and supporting amenities that ensure a successful user experience in both the short and long-term and for staff to explore the potential for inclusion of batting cages with a viable operating model.

With the approval by City Council of the updated Centennial Master Plan in 2021 through 2021.IE25.10, there have been a number of active projects and changes underway in the park. Among them are the installation of a new baseball hub near the heart of the park, along with pickleball and play areas. The installation of the new facilities has been made possible because the Mini Indy amusement complex ceased operations in late 2023, opening the necessary space for the new installations. The former Mini Indy amusement complex was privately operated for profit, and contained a go-kart track, beach volleyball, and batting cages where visitors, for a fee, could take swings at pitches delivered by a machine. Public input, including feedback at the consultation in January 2024 for the next phase of park improvements, indicated an interest in seeing the batting cages portion of the Mini Indy amusement complex return to the park. Like a golf driving range is to golfers, the batting cages were an enjoyable compliment to baseball and softball players, and the former location was a unique opportunity within the region to practice batting. This motion requests staff to explore the technical and business potential of reintroducing an element such as an amusement type batting cage to the baseball hub within the park.