230504 Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee MinutesPage 1 of 3
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Recreation & Sports Advisory Committee
May 4, 2023
5:30 p.m.
Council Chambers
MINUTES
Present:
Scott Vitias, Christy Milmine, Stephen Gradish, Taylor Campbell, Scott Gooding,
Christian Devlin, Joe Sym, Andrew Gradish, Councillor Chris Parker, Mayor Deb
Gilvesy, Susie Wray
.
Absent with Regrets:
Carrie Lewis
Also Present:
Andrea Greenway, Recreation Programs & Services Manager
Margaret Puhr, Administrative Assistant, Recreation, Culture and Parks
Michael Papaioannou, Frank Deutsch, John Twinem
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 5:36pm.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1
Moved by: Scott Gooding
Seconded by: Stephen Gradish
THAT the Agenda as amended for the Recreation & Sports Advisory Committee
meeting of May 4, 2023, be adopted.
Carried
3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 3
Resolution #2
Moved by: Deb Gilvesy
Seconded by: Stephen Gradish
THAT the Minutes for the Recreation & Sports Advisory committee be adopted.
Carried
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
5. General Business and Reports
5.1. Tillsonburg FC – presentation by John Twinem, Michael Papaioannou and Frank
Deutsch. Updated business plan is attached to the minutes.
Resolution #2
Moved by: Stephen Gradish
Seconded by: Joe Sym
THAT the Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee receive the single option that
the Town of Tillsonburg allow Tillsonburg FC to develop Guylveszi Park into another
soccer park.
Defeated
Resolution #3
Moved by: Deb Gilvesy
Seconded by: Stephen Gradish
THAT Resolution #2 be divided into two separate resolutions.
Carried
Resolution #4
Moved by: Deb Gilvesy
Seconded by: Scott Gooding
THAT the Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee recommend the Parks and
Recreation Master Plan investigate the need for additional soccer fields and
consider the presentation from TFC regarding additional fields located at Gyulveszi
Park;
Page 3 of 3
And THAT TFC work with Tillsonburg Minor Soccer to come forward at a future date
in a cohesive manner to present a joint need for additional soccer fields.
Carried
5.2. Sports Allocation Policy report – presented by Andrea Greenway, with updates
as to the administrative efficiencies in allocation of facilities.
Resolution #5
Moved by: Joe Sym
Seconded by Susie Wray
THAT the Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee receives report RCP-23-01,
Amendment to Policy 9-010: Sports Facilities Allocation Policy;
AND THAT the Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee approves and adopts the
revised Sports Facilities Allocation Policy for the Town of Tillsonburg as presented;
AND THAT the Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee recommendation be
brought forward to Council for consideration.
Carried
5.3. Guylveszi park petition – the petition was initiated by the residents in the park’s
neighbourhood and delivered to council in April.
Resolution #6
Moved by: Scott Gooding
Seconded by: Taylor Campbell
THAT the Recreation and Sports Advisory Committee receive the petition as
information.
Carried
6. Next Meeting
June 1, at 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, 200 Broadway, second floor.
7. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
TillsonburgFC
A BUSINESS PLAN
For the
GYULVESZI PARK SOCCER FIELDS
REVITALIZATION PROJECT
Presented to
The Town of Tillsonburg
March 2023
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
For many years soccer in Tillsonburg operated under a single corporate entity
encompassing both sanctioned competitive teams and non-sanctioned recreational
teams for all ages. Rule changes at the provincial level of soccer has made it
impossible for a single organization to continue in that manner. As a result, Tillsonburg
Football Club (TillsonburgFC) was established in 2017 and incorporated in 2020 to
maintain a local, sanctioned competitive soccer program in Tillsonburg.
TillsonburgFC is a member in good standing of governing bodies for competitive soccer
in Ontario – locally it is the Elgin Middlesex Soccer Association - along with Ontario
Soccer and Soccer Canada. TillsonburgFC’s 5-year strategic plan lays out a roadmap
towards doubling the number of youth players and teams in the Club by 2028, largely
due to a purposeful and focused plan to increase the development of female players,
coaches and match officials. As part of the requirements of participating in competitive
soccer, the Club must provide regulation size fields for each of the various age groups.
Soccer Canada has established an intermediate field size (60-75m x 42-55m) for U12
and U13 players. There are no good quality fields of this size in Tillsonburg that are
reliably available for the two teams TillsonburgFC will have in that age group in 2023,
and the Club intends to have three U12/U13 teams by 2026 and four by 2028.
Tillsonburg currently boasts one of the best soccer parks in Southwestern Ontario, with
three full fields, six mini fields, three micro fields and two non-standard size fields.
Tillsonburg also has three additional non-standard size unmaintained soccer fields at
Guylveszi Park. TillsonburgFC has prepared this business plan to demonstrate to the
Town of Tillsonburg that the Club has the capacity to meet the financial, organizational
and operational demands of a capital project to improve the conditions of the Gyulveszi
soccer fields in partnership with the Town. The primary objective is to provide two
competitive-quality intermediate size fields. A secondary objective is to accommodate
the projected growth of soccer in the region by improving the quality of the existing full-
size field at Gyulveszi and adding two mini-fields and other amenities to accommodate
overflow from Tillsonburg Soccer Park.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..3
MISSION & VISION
Mission Statement
TillsonburgFC is the community of Tillsonburg’s premier licensed competitive soccer
organization, embodying the spirit of “The Beautiful Game” through implementing the
Ontario Soccer Long-term Player Development Program and promoting both personal
and professional growth through soccer.
Vision
We aim for best-in-class soccer at the most affordable price for our members.
Values
• Providing a Fun/Enjoyable soccer related environment = #1 for all participants.
• Showing Respect to all club members and other soccer-related stakeholders.
• A connected soccer Community with unrivalled (competitive) soccer spirit.
• Equality/Equity for all and an Inclusive soccer-related environment
• High Quality soccer facilities/programming and developing excellent people.
• Practicing Sportsmanship and developing transferable (life/work) skills.
STRATEGIC OVERVIEW
When Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club (TMSC) was first established almost a quarter of a
century ago, a single organization could operate with both sanctioned and unsanctioned
players, officials and directors. For many years competitive soccer players from
Tillsonburg met with great success under the banner of the Tillsonburg Titans – the
sanctioned, competitive part of TMSC. Ontario Soccer, the governing body of
competitive soccer in Ontario established and began enforcing updated club licensing
rules that prohibit that operating model. Either all players, officials and directors
involved with TMSC had to become sanctioned, or a separate entity had to be brought
into being. In 2017 the Titans component separated from TMSC and established itself
as Tillsonburg Football Club.
Operating for several seasons as an unincorporated community organization,
TillsonburgFC finally incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in early 2020.
TillsonburgFC is committed to being a top-notch soccer club and has applied for a
Quality Soccer Provider Club License from Ontario Soccer. Among other things, to
succeed in obtaining this designation TillsonburgFC must commit to and deliver facilities
appropriate to the programs the Club provides. In 2022, the Club had no suitable field
available for the U12 Girls team in terms of dimensions and goal sizes at the Tillsonburg
Soccer Park. The situation will worsen in 2023 when both the (now) U13 girls and the
(now) U12 boys will need to use an intermediate size field. Further pressure will come
as the number of teams needing that size field grows to three in 2024 and four by 2026.
Please see Appendix A for a table showing player head count projections from 2022-
2028.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..4
To mitigate this shortfall in available fields with the proper configuration of size and net
dimensions, the Club proposes to work in close partnership with the Town of Tillsonburg
to reconfigure and upgrade the three existing poor quality soccer fields at Gyulveszi
Park into five safe and fully operational soccer fields. This initiative will in no way replace
or take away from the Tillsonburg Soccer Park’s pre-eminent role as the home of soccer
in Tillsonburg. It is intended to augment that facility and provide additional training and
match play field time to meet the growing demand.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project
TillsonburgFC’s plan is for Gyulveszi Park to be purposefully upgraded to accommodate
Tillsonburg youth competitive soccer players from ages U8 to U16. The men’s and
women’s teams would continue to play and train at the Tillsonburg Soccer Park. As the
need for more intermediate soccer fields is urgent for the 2023 Season, TillsonburgFC
is proposing the following three phased approach to improve the fields at Gyulveszi
Park.
Phase 1 (Spring of 2023)
level land and bring soccer field turf and goals to competitive conditions (level,
smooth, free from hazards).
reseeding of the entire property
trim lower branches and/or remove trees on the north side of the property to
increase usable area of the park
cut down all trees on the east side of the park with the cooperation of the owner
of the neighboring property and tidy up the area to remove all drug paraphernalia
and garbage.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..5
NOTE: replacement trees will be established throughout the reconfigured park once
all the construction is completed.
Phase 2 (2024)
increase the size of the parking lot with the help from the Town of Tillsonburg
install field irrigation using town water or a sand point
trench utilities (sewer, water & electricity) from Peach St. to the north side of the
park
install 5-metre-high chain link fencing on the south side of intermediate field (+/-
80 metres) and the main soccer field (+/- 110m) to retain balls in the park
Phase 3 (2025)
build a structure on the north side of the park for shelter, dressing rooms, a small
canteen and equipment storage space
FUNDRAISING PLAN
TillsonburgFC will execute a capital fundraising program to cover the costs of all the
soccer-related improvements. The comprehensive fundraising program will pursue
grants, business sponsorships, service club support and donations from the community.
Grants
TillsonburgFC will apply to grant programs made available by the Province of Ontario,
the Government of Canada, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Oxford Community
Foundation, the Cowan Foundation and as many other grant opportunities as can be
identified.
Business Sponsorships
TillsonburgFC has developed a business sponsorship program to secure financial
support from local companies and has already obtained significant commitments
towards the funds required for Phase 1 of the project. This program will require the
support to be recognized through permanent signage within the vicinity of the park. The
sponsorship program will also be an ongoing mechanism for securing funds towards the
ongoing maintenance of the fields.
Service Club Support
Service organizations have a long track record of being major benefactors of community
projects in Tillsonburg. TillsonburgFC is anticipating that they will step up again to
support youth sport and improving community facilities. Looking to Phases 2 and 3 of
the project, the Club will pursue multi-year commitments for support from each of the
local chapters of the Kinsmen, Lions, Masons, Optimist and Rotary Clubs.
Community Donations
The soccer community in Tillsonburg receives support from many individuals and
families in so many ways. TillsonburgFC has been able to get commitments from a
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..6
number of individual contributors who are prepared to support this project in a
significant way. It is premature to identify those individuals as the project has not yet
been approved.
Town of Tillsonburg
TillsonburgFC is asking the Town of Tillsonburg for three important things to help
achieve success with the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project. First, as
the Town is the owner of the property, for grant applications to be considered the Town
will need to officially endorse the project and provide written permission for the
proposed works to not only go forward but to be allowed to remain for the longer term.
Second, the Club is asking the Town to accept donations from individuals and
organizations for this project and to provide receipts for those donations that can be
used for income tax purposes. The Town has done this before for similar community-
based capital improvement projects including the Tillsonburg Soccer Park and most
recently for the J.L. Scott McLean Recreation Pad.
Third, the Club is asking the Town of Tillsonburg to enlarge and formalize the parking lot
at the West end of the park and to improve the access into the parking lot at the
intersection of Bond Street and Wellington Street as part of that work. The lot can be
expanded to both the East and South in a manner that won’t interfere with the existing
playground equipment.
OPERATIONS PLAN
The Town of Tillsonburg has historically maintained Gyulveszi Park as open park space
rather than as sportsfields. TillsonburgFC expects that, as with the grounds at
Tillsonburg Soccer Park, the Town will want and allow the Club to assume the property
maintenance of the fields and surrounding open space and thereby save the operational
expenses previously incurred for mowing the area.
TillsonburgFC expects that the Town would continue to hold responsibility and
accountability for the inspections, maintenance and life-cycle replacement of the
playground equipment within the Park.
Understanding that Gyulveszi Park is the neighbourhood green space for the residents
in the subdivision South and West of the park, TillsonburgFC commits to ensuring that
the Park is kept in good order and meets the expectations and standards of the Town.
Specifically, TillsonburgFC will hire property maintenance services to take care of the
field turf including regular mowing and lining as well as seasonal tasks like rolling,
aerating, overseeding and fertilizing. TillsonburgFC will also manage the garbage and
cover the cost of utilities if-and-when they are connected. TillsonburgFC will pay for
these costs through the regular operations of the Club using revenue from registrations
and sponsorships.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..7
Oversight of the property will be the responsibility of the TillsonburgFC Board of
Directors through a specific Director appointed to the role. Aside from accountability to
the Board for the day-to-day field conditions throughout the outdoor playing season, that
Director will also have formal responsibility to liaise and coordinate with the Town’s
Parks staff and provide updates annually to the Director of Recreation, Culture & Parks.
ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM
TillsonburgFC has a committed and focused Board of Directors that are determined to
see the Club grow and sustain itself for the long term. The full roster of Board Members
is available from the TillsonburgFC website at http:\\www.tillsonburgfc.ca. Specific to
this project, the key individuals are:
Mark Locker, President. For the last 15 years Mark has enjoyed being a part of the
competitive soccer program in Town as a Board member and as a coach for both,
Tillsonburg Minor Soccer Club and Tillsonburg FC teams. He has been a leader,
guiding us through all of the changes dictated by Ontario Soccer, to improve competitive
soccer in Canada. Mark is a collaborative leader who enjoys working with other local
soccer organizations. He ensures the Clubs is following its values, to help make soccer
better for next generation. He is also a businessman in Town that helps with fundraising
efforts
Michael Papaioannou, Vice President. Michael has been a key figure in soccer (and
many other sports) in Tilllsonburg for over fifty years. With the successful build-out of
the Tillsonburg Soccer Park from 2000-2010, Michael has proven his ability to plan and
secure financial support to ensure a project’s success. He was on the Board of
Directors that built the Tillsonburg Soccer Park as the fundraising chairman, with an
approximately cost of $1.5M. He has also proven his commitment to achieving a very
high standard in the work done – no cutting corners. Michael will find the money to get
the job done right.
Frank Deutsch, Treasurer. Frank has also been part of the competitive soccer
community in Tillsonburg for nearly 30 years. Franks vocation in the finance industry
has provided him with the skills to make sure all of the financial aspects of the project
are managed properly. Frank was the treasurer and part of the Board of Directors that
built the Tillsonburg Soccer Park on 2000.
John Twinem, Head Coach/Technical Director. John has coached multiple youth
soccer teams to regional and provincial success. He has successfully placed multiple
players he has coached on varsity teams in Ontario and the United States. John’s
expertise will be applied in making sure the upgraded fields will support safe and
technically appropriate play for each of the age groups they are designed for.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..8
Brett Harrington, Senior Men’s Director. As a player growing up in the Tillsonburg
competitive soccer community Brett achieved great results leveraging into a varsity
soccer role. Now, giving back to the community he brings his professional skills in
marketing and business to this project. His role will be to have oversight of the
marketing materials for the fundraising aspects of the project.
Rick Cox, Secretary. Rick’s role in this project will be to find grant opportunities and
then to prepare and submit the applications. He has proven success at securing capital
and program grant funding for projects of all sizes in Tillsonburg and other communities.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..9
PROJECT COSTS AND FUNDRAISING TARGETS
The cost of the project is anticipated to be $882,000 including a 10% contingency.
(NOTE: this does not include the cost for the parking lot improvements estimated at
$200,000-300,000). TillsonburgFC will fundraise to reach this target amount,
approaching each phase separately and proceeding only when the funds are in place to
accomplish that phase. This cost estimate has been prepared through consultation with
companies who are prepared to do the work for that price. It reflects pricing current in
late 2022. The fundraising target exceeds the projected cost by 5%.
Capital Costs
Contingency $ 80,000
Phase 1
Soccer Field Levelling $ 150,000
Seeding Soccer Fields $ 17,000
Fencing $ 30,000
Soccer Goal Posts $ 10,000
Accessibility Enhancements $ 10,000
Cut & Tree Trimming $ 6,000
$ 223,000
Phase 2
Field Irrigation $ 42,000
Fencing $ 70,000
Utilities – Water $ 15,000
Utilities – Sewage $ 27,000
Utilities – Hydro $ 30,000
$ 184,000
Phase 3
Storage/Washrooms/Shed $ 350,000
Accessibility Sidewalks $ 25,000
Water Well $ 20,000
$ 395,000
Total $ 882,000
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..10
Fundraising Targets for Capital Costs
Grant support $ 280,000
Industry / Business’ $ 250,000
Community Donations (Town Tax Receipt) $ 130,000
Tillsonburg FC Contributions
Lottery revenue (750 x $100 Tickets) $ 50,000
Sponsorships $ 30,000
Accumulated operational surplus $ 20,000
3 fundraising events $ 18,000
Associate Memberships $ 10,000 $ 128,000
Service Clubs $ 135,000
Total $ 923,000
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..11
SUMMARY
Soccer in Tillsonburg benefits from a wonderful facility and strong community support.
The popularity of the sport and the growth of the municipality has created challenges for
competitive players to find place to play. This business plan presents a solid roadmap
for the Town to secure improved sport facilities from a motivated community group.
TillsonburgFC is determined to develop a strong competitive soccer program based in
Tillsonburg with female and male youth teams at all ages from U8 through U16 and for
adults from 18 and up. In order to achieve that mission, additional and upgraded fields,
particularly of intermediate size are needed in Tillsonburg. TillsonburgFC is prepared to
successfully fundraise the $923,000 required to upgrade and reconfigure the existing
soccer fields at Gyulveszi Park to augment those available at the existing Tillsonburg
Soccer Park and is asking the Town of Tillsonburg to endorse and approve the project.
TillsonburgFC stands ready to answer any questions Council and staff may have about
the organization, about the plan, or about the project. The Club is ready to proceed as
soon as Council provides consent.
TillsonburgFC
A Business Plan for the Gyulveszi Park Soccer Fields Revitalization Project /..12
APPENDIX A
2022-2028 TillsonburgFC Player/Team Growth Projection
Players 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Field Size
U8 (co-ed) 10 10 10 20 20 Mini (55m x 35m)
U9G 10 10 10 10 10 Mini (55m x 35m)
U10G 12 12 12 12 Mini (55m x 35m)
U11G 12 12 12 Mini (55m x 35m)
U12G 16 16 16 Intermediate (80m x 45m)
U13G 18 18 Intermediate (80m x 45m)
U14G 18 Full size (110m x 65m)
U15G 15 18 Full size (110m x 65m)
U16G 18 18 18 Full size (110m x 65m)
U9B 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 Mini (55m x 35m)
U10B 12 12 12 12 12 12 Mini (55m x 35m)
U11B 14 12 12 12 12 12 Mini (55m x 35m)
U12B 16 16 16 16 16 Intermediate (80m x 45m)
U13B 18 18 18 18 Intermediate (80m x 45m)
U14B 15 18 18 18 Full size (110m x 65m)
U15B 16 18 18 18 Full size (110m x 65m)
U16B 18 18 Full size (110m x 65m)
Subtotal Youth 86 92 126 118 148 174 192
Men 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 Full size (110m x 65m)
Women 22 22 44 44 44 44 44 Full size (110m x 65m)
Masters 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 Full size (110m x 65m)
Subtotal Adult 94 116 138 138 138 138 138
Total 180 208 264 256 286 312 330
2022-2028 TillsonburgFC Player / Team Growth Projection