Mesachie Lake residents say build bigger ball field Honeymoon Bay Field May Also Get Bigger

Expand the Sky Dome ball field to accommodate adult use, was the consensus at a meeting in Mesachie Lake Thursday night.

This would help alleviate insurance concerns.

Expansion of the field by about 53 feet has been made possible with the purchase by the CVRD of the store next door to the ball field, for $249,000.

The Municipal Insurance Authority (MIA), from which municipalities and regional districts buy their insurance, has told the CVRD that if someone is hurt by a fly ball or foul ball during an adult event at the field, it won’t be covered by MIA.

The same could happen with the ball field in Honeymoon Bay, which would have to be expanded by 35 feet, although that won’t be decided until there is another commission meeting in Honeymoon Bay to get public input.

“MIA is very uncomfortable about that, adults using a kids’ field,” said Ian Morrison, CVRD director for Area F. “That’s an issue MIA wants to address.”

He noted that the muscular dystrophy fundraiser that’s held at the Sky Dome every June will be allowed to go this year, but after that things would have to change.

One person asked what would happen if, after making the field larger, someone still gets hurt.

“We could show we took due diligence,” said Ryan Dias, parks operations superintendent for the CVRD.

Gary Eve of the Mesachie Lake Fire Department noted that Muscular Dystrophy Canada provides insurance for the MD tournament, so why does the CVRD have to also have insurance.

Mayor Ross Forrest, whose Appollos slo-pitch tournament on the Labour Day weekend also uses the Sky Dome, noted the CVRD’s insurance covers the property, whereas the Appollos’ insurance covers the people. He said that a law suit a few years ago included action against both the Appollos and the property owner, in this case the school district.

There were also questions about the purchase of the store and whether the cost was justified. Ray Wear, chair of the Area F Parks Commission, said that one of the commission’s mandates is to purchase land for parks.

“We didn’t buy a store, we bought a property,” said Wear, who added that it hasn’t been decided what will happen to the store.

“What do you think would have happened if you held a meeting and asked us about that (purchasing the store)?” asked Casey Van Dalen.

“It wouldn’t have happened,” Morrison replied.

After some discussion about making the Sky Dome an adult field and keeping the Honeymoon Bay field as a kids’ field, it was suggested both fields be expanded.

“Kids can play on an adult field, so why not make them both adult size,” suggested Kelly Heslop. That comment received applause.

In Honeymoon Bay, Morrison said there is the possibility of putting in a small campground next to the ball field on land owned by the CVRD. There are also two options for expanding the Honeymoon Bay field, including moving it back or expanding it onto land that is currently owned by the Honeymoon Bay Retreat.

Dias explained to the meeting that it costs $68,000 a year to maintain both the Sky Dome and the Honeymoon Bay ball fields.

“At the CVRD, we see use declining and we want to know why,” he said. “We have an obligation as well to make sure our facilities are safe.”

Parks Commissioner Dave Lowther said he’s really upset about the insurance issue. “The law says we have to deal with them (MIA),” he said. “If you’re as pissed off as I am, then write your MLA about this.”

By Doug Marner - Lake Cowichan Gazette