Saint John council has approved a new indoor/outdoor ball hockey facility on the city’s west side.
But not everyone living near the planned location on Manawagonish Road is on board with the idea.
The facility will be conducted on land between Coronation Avenue and Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Applicant Renaud Barrière said the outdoor surface would operate from April to October with the indoor rink operating year-round.
Typical hours of operation would be from 5:30 to 11 p.m. with the facility normally used for school programs during the day and league play during the evening.
Opening hours would be earlier on weekends to accommodate league play and tournaments.
Several area residents spoke out against the proposal during a council public hearing on Tuesday night.
“Permitting a ball hockey facility next to the residential neighbourhood and a cemetery will not be a good fit with either the character or design of the neighbourhood,” said Denise Johnston, who lives nearby on Coronation Avenue.
Some of the concerns raised by residents include the rink’s operating hours, the operation of a liquor-licensed facility inside, along with increased traffic and noise.
The developer is required to construct sound mitigation measures along the northeastern property boundary to help reduce noise for neighbouring properties.
Barrière said the outside playing surface will be built next to the cemetery with the indoor surface located next to the adjacent dwellings on Coronation Avenue.
He said they reviewed more than a dozen sites throughout the city but selected this one due to its size and proximity to a school.
Sara Hayward, president of the New Brunswick Ball Hockey Association, said this is a big opportunity for the community.
“Ball hockey is for everyone and access to a year-round facility would allow for expansion of both the ages that could play and the skill level opportunities,” said Hayward.
After hearing from residents, council added a condition requiring the proponent to conduct post-construction sound monitoring through a qualified engineering firm and implement any exra sound mitigation if needed.
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