BARRHEAD - The Neerlandia Sports Committee is one step closer to its goal of constructing an adult-sized baseball/softball diamond for the hamlet.
On May 20, County of Barrhead councillors directed administration to sign a use agreement with the not-for-profit society upon receipt of a roadside development permit from Alberta Transportation.
The municipality purchased the property in December 2021, which is adjacent to Highway 769, to construct a larger wastewater lagoon to serve the growing community.
Following the completion of the new lagoons, there was still a substantial amount of property, complete with a water well, large enough to construct a 300 by 300-foot diamond and a parking area.
The Neerlandia Sports Committee will bear all the costs for constructing the diamond and upkeep of the sports field, including appropriate signage.
In the spring of 2023, the municipality received a request from Neerlandia Community Ball asking if residents from the hamlet could construct a baseball/softball diamond with the help of the county on the property adjacent to the lagoon property.
Namely, the group asked the municipality to provide work in-kind, in the form of heavy equipment, to prepare the site.
The group stated that previously, area softball and baseball teams would use the Neerlandia Public Christian School (NPCS) grounds, but after the construction of the new school, which decreased the size of the two diamonds so much that they were suitable only for the youngest ages.
They also noted that since the Camp Creek Community Hall society decided to dissolve and sell its property to an energy company, the county had relatively few baseball or softball diamonds.
A month later, councillors instructed administration to investigate potential legislative requirements for such a project.
At the time, County manager Debbie Oyarzun said there were potential roadblocks in the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA) that would prevent such a project from progressing.
Specifically, Section 17 'Subdivision and Development' section states that a development authority shall not issue a development permit for a school, hospital, or residence within 300 metres of the working area of an operating wastewater treatment facility.
She noted that the municipality had to ask the province to build the lagoons, as there were two residences within that distance.
Since then, the province changed the legislation allowing a reduction of the 300-metre setback if an application for a variance includes a professional engineering report stating that there are "no nuisances or concerns or, if they exist, they must have a mitigation plan in place."
However, there was still a question of whether a baseball diamond is one of the uses the province would allow.
"We did identify that we could put a community baseball diamond," she told councillors at their May 20 meeting.
The agenda package states that Alberta Environment and Protected Areas, the sports field did not fall within any of the proscribed uses stated in Section 17, the previously mentioned schools, hospitals, or residences and therefore it is within the municipality's authority to approve the request.
She added that the sports committee, on behalf of Neerlandia Community Softball, would need to coordinate the field's usage with the municipality.
"That is from not only an ownership perspective but liability," Oyarzun said.
Oyarzun also added that the agreement wasn't exclusive, the county maintained the right to allow other user groups to use the field, and either party could cancel it without penalty.
Coun. Paul Properzi supported signing the agreement but was concerned that ball teams or others might use the facility for camping, asking if a gate would be installed to prevent it.
Oyarzun said camping wouldn't be allowed, but no gate would be installed.
"There will be signs informing people, and the visibility from the highway will also help stop people from using the site as a campground," she said.
Coun. Walter Preugschas asked if turning lanes on Highway 769 would be required.
"There's the potential for a lot more traffic travelling on the road at times," he said.
Reeve Doug Drozd said, if it is, that will be up to Alberta Transportation.
Oyarzun agreed, saying in the county's initial discussions with the ministry, they had no concerns.
"If they change their minds and say [turning lanes] were needed, it would come to council," she said, adding the agreement won't be finalized until Alberta Transportation signs off on a development permit.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
