BRAMPTON – City councillors gave the green light Wednesday to build a $2.35 million kabaddi stadium with parking on the grounds of the Powerade Centre on Kennedy Road South, south of Steeles Avenue East.
Councillors directed city staff to issue a tender call for construction of the stadium, which would consist of a “bowl” with a grass playing field, 2,500 fixed and movable bleacher seats and 208 new gravel parking spaces, plus eight accessible parking spots.
Construction is expected to start at the end of July, which is the end of the kabaddi season, and it will be finished by the end of the year, ready for use at the start of the 2013 season.
The field has been designed to convert to two junior soccer pitches when not being used for kabaddi, councillors were told. It could also be used for outdoor concerts.
But who gets the revenue from the rental of the stadium was a bone of contention among some councillors Wednesday, and it still has not been decided.
City staff said the Powerade Group, the operators of the Powerade Centre, would maintain and operate the stadium, and would receive the revenue.
However, several councillors objected to the idea of spending city money to build the facility on city land, with no way of recouping any of that investment by collecting the revenues.
In the end, city staff told councillors they had heard their objections and would renegotiate with the Powerade Group to reach a deal that would be more acceptable. That agreement will come back to the council table for approval, but in the meantime, the tender for construction will be issued.
Regional Councillor John Sprovieri said he was concerned that council was giving the go-ahead to build it without an operating agreement in place, and City Councillor Bob Callahan called for a recorded vote on whether or not to proceed, although in the end, he was the only councillor to vote against it.
City staff looked at several potential sites for a kabaddi stadium— which was approved by council and money set aside in the 2010 budget— but the Brampton Sports Park (Powerade Centre grounds), where kabaddi has been played for the past several years already, appeared to be the best location.
Disruption to neighbours, adequate parking and other issues were looked at, staff told councillors.
City Councillor John Sanderson noted that, even at the Brampton Sports Park, complaints about noise have been registered by the Brampton Golf Club located across the street. He told staff that would have to be considered.
The game of kabaddi is an outdoor team sport with aspects of both wrestling and rugby. It incorporates both luck and skill, and requires co-ordination, and both mental and physical stamina.
The sport is quickly growing in popularity in Brampton, and attracts large crowds of spectators. There are at least two main kabaddi groups in the city.
