recur new members president's message cliff...

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE,\ > • • ,_ "', .<'" :" .'-,~~. , ,. r ;'*~ ~:~ .... .,~/~,;~ !"''l:~r'' s: :~~~~ .~>;~.i1~ ..;.~~~~~it1~f~~-t~.~~~~"}'

This is my last message to you, the mem-bers,as I relinquish my position as Presidentafter 21;2exciting years. It is quite a challengestarting an organization versusjoining one.

Historically speaking, we produced anewsletter which has been widely distri-buted. Our first issue was produced in theAutumn of 1987. Using information ob-tained from a questionnaire, we are compil-ing statistics on the amount of sports turfmaintained and what maintenance practicesare used.We need to find a method of doingthis job more quickly! We see a need for anexecutivesecretaryto not only handle the ad-ministrative workload but also to give the As-sociation some continuity plus headquartersto work from.

There are many cnauenqes for the 1990's.The idea started by CGSA's Bob Brewsterofgetting groups with similar interests to con-solidate their conferences is a good one andone we have benefited from. As Cindy Code,editor of Lawn and Landscape Magazinesays, "Consolidation is not only natural butnecessary.Attendees would be able to pre-view a much wider variety of products, at-tend a medley of educational sessionsandshare experienceswith a wider range of theirpeers."

Not many organizations will ever have themeans to install or even think about artificialturf for their programs.The challenge is to getto them and help them provide better andsafer natural grass.There is a need to learnmore about sand based fields and their waterand nutrient requirements. We need to lookat the use of more trickle type irrigation sys-tems to cut our labour costs and put the

water where it is needed. Provincial chaptersof the S.T.A. are a definite possibility andneeded to addresslocal needsand problems.

I have been well pleased with the dedica-tion and commitment of our founding BoardMembers. Their work, time and effort ismuch appreciated and I have enjoyed ourwork together.

To Uwe Sehmrau of the Ministry ofTourism and Recreation my thanks for hisconsiderable help since our beginnings, inboth an advisory and monetary role.

Lastbut my no means least to Annette An-derson who has not only provided us withadvice at our meetings but also helped byobtaining quality speakers for our field daysand conferences.Her assistancehas been in-valuable.

In closing I leave you with the words of. Dr. Fumio Kitamura the organiZing chair-. man of the Sixth International Turfgrass Re-searchConference.He said, "Today the morecivilized and peaceful a country is, the more(formal) turf is used. When our lives becomemore comfortable, the importance of grassincreasesas a place where we can get closeto it enjoy it play and relax on it. Turf is nowa symbol of civilization, peace and afflu-ence."

I look forward to the 90'sasyour past pres-ident.

Yours for better, safer sports turf

Sincerely,

Michael J. Bladon

WELCOME!reCUR

NEW MEMBERS

Cliff TurnerOrillia Parks & Recreation

Don HarrisonTown of Bradford .

Bill ThompsonMuskoka Board of Education

John BllzMuskoka Board of Education

Ms. Kim KnightThe City of Fort McMurray

8

Upcoming Events 8

Sports Turf Newsletter - 1

(JOINT SESSION WITH CGSA)

SPO.RTS TURF ASSOCIATIONCONFERENCE

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1989(offered as part of CGSA pre-conference seminars)

SEMINAR: Construction and Maintenance of Athletic FieldsDr. Lee Burpee, Uni~ersity of Guelph

. . -

MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 19898:30 - 8:45

8:30 - 9:45

9:30 - 10:15

2 - Sports Turf Newsletter

Opening Ceremonies

Keynote Speaker: Jack "The Coach" Donahue

Judith Brede, Jacklin SeedSeed Priming

Coffee Break10: 15 - 10:30

10:30 - 11:15

11:30

11:30 - 4:30

Dr. Nick Christians, Iowa StateWater Quality and Soil Testing .

Trade Show Official Opening

LunchVisit Exhibits

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 19898:30 - 9:15

For information contact: Sports Turf Association, (519) 824-4120 Ext. 3460, orCanadian Golf Superintendents Association, (416) 249-7304

ACCOMMODATIONThe two official hotels for conference use are L'H6tel which is located next to the convention centre,and the Venture Inn at 88 Avenue Road, just north of Bloor.

Venture Inn (single - $69.00, double - $74.00) or L'H6tel (single or double - $110.00)

9:15 -10:00

10:00 - 10: 15

10:15 - 10:45

10:45 - 11:30

11:30 - 12: 15

12:30 - 2:00

(SPORTS TURF ASSOCIATION)Judith Ferguson-Gockel, Agri-Systems Inc.Construction and Topdressing Materials for Athletic Fields

Field Renovation - Panel Discussion3 Turf Managers, 10 -15 minutes each with question period. 'Hands-on'tips.

1. Mr. Bill Harding, City of North York2. Mr. Dave Chapman, City of Toronto3. Mr. Jim Galbraith, University of Western Ontario

Coffee Break

Dr. T. Senn, Clemson University, South CarolinaThe Use of Natural Products on Turf Management

Dr. N.M. Rogers, Michigan State University

Ball Diamonds - Panel Discussion3 Turf Managers, 10 -15 minutes each. 'Hands-on'tips.

1. Mr. Bob Williams, City of Mississauga2. Mr. Chris Marks, York University3. Mr. Mike Regan, Labatt's Park, London P.U.C.

STA Annual Meeting Luncheon

lITHECOACH"

JACKDONOHUE

(Key note speakerat c,onference)

Jack Donohue is best known as the architect of a win-ning Canadian Olympic basketball program. He coachedthe Canadian team from a position of relative obscurity toone of the top-rated teams in the world - virtually alwaysa medal contender.

When it comes to competing and winning, 'The Coach"knows what he is talking about. For almost four decades hehas been instructing, inspiring, and motivating teams thatwin. A member of the New York City "Coaches' Hall ofFame", Jack Donohue coached a record 250 wins in 300games in two different high schools (Lew Alcindor, nowKareem Abdul- Jabbar of the Los Angeles Lakers was one ofhis pupils).

Using his valuable experience, Jack now coaches busi-ness organizations and industry on leadership, motivation,teamwork and commitment.

In addition to his coaching duties, Jack has worked withboth the federal and provincial sport ministries and hasserved as a board member of the Sport Federation. He is acurrent member of the Coaching Association of Canada andPresident Elect of the c:anadian Association of NationalCoaches.

The following is an abstract from atalk given in JUly to the CPRA byRob B. Thibodeau, Litigation Lawyerwith Bassel,Sullivan & Leake. It servesas a useful guideline for those whohave no inspections of their fields orare thinking of implementing asystem.I. Always ensure that a properly qualitied and responsible

person with good judgment is put in place to inspectand oversee the maintenance, repair and use of yourre~reational .facilities. This individual will be your keywrtness at tnal and his record-keeping ability and super-vision of your grounds keepers and other employeeswill be suQject to concerted attack by the Plaintiff'ssolicitor;

2. You must ensure that an established written scheduleof inspection is created, followed and enforced so that

the facilities and playing surfaces under your jurisdictionare inspected as regularly as your budget and manpow-er will allow. It is my suggestion, as Defence Council,that significant playing surfaces and facilities be inspect-ed every morning by a designated individual and thatbrief, written or typed, inspection reports or records bemaintained by that individual indicating that he in factattended at the facility or playing surface; what he didwhen he attended there; and noting particularly anypossible or potential problems that he became awareof because of his inspection. Of course, if any problemsare noted, then the inspection or maintenance reportshould indicate who this individual designated torepair tne problem and, as part of the paper trail estab-lishing your system, the actual repair invoices or reportsare to be completed by the individual employees or theresponsible management person after the repairs oralterations have been completed.

3. You should ensure that a training program for your in-spection and maintenance supervisor and your actualgrounds keepers and other responsible employees isimplemented, even if it is only one to two hours peryear. My preference would be to see a brief one- totwo-hour training program before the commencementof each season of activity relating specifically to thefacilities and playing surfaces in that season that wouldbe most in use, e.g. you might hold a training sessionfor one to two hours in September of each year provid-ing special emphasis with respect to your arenas andyour football fields, if that is relevant to your particularset-up. Notes should be kept by the individual con-ducting the training session and an attendance list ofall employees at the training session should be keptand any instructional films or materials provided to theemployees should be noted;

4. Great effort should be made to keep daily diary jour-nals or notations on employee daily time cards of allinspection, maintenance and repair work involving faci-lities under your jurisdiction. In particular, your super-visor, or the staff person appointed by you as primarilyresponsible for inspection and maintenance, shouldcomplete a journal entry every day, which entry shouldevidence the completion of the inspection and shouldoutline in brief form any repairs, alterations or problems;

5. As previously mentioned, when repairs or alterationsare undertaken and completed, a full detailed reportshould be prepared if those alterations or repairs aresignificant. The decision on what is significant willhave to be left to you, however, I suggest that if it isin an area of a facility where there is any possibility ofinjUry to a user then of course the report should be de-tailed;

6. Post warning or notice signs in all facilities setting outrules for the use of these facilities and advising of anyparticular problems or potential dangers inherent inthe facility that you are aware of. Although this maysound like an invitiation to a potential lawsuit, if aninjury occurs because of hazard that you have warnedabout, as Defence Counsel, I would certainly rather be

(Continued on Page 7)


ONTARIOPARKSAND RECREATION

Mr. Allan 5eabrookeThe Corp. of the City of MississaugaParks & Recreation3235 Mavis RoadMississauga, L5C I T7

Mr .'Steve BlaneyParks Person OneCity of Mississauga7612 Creditview Road, R.R. # 10Brampton, L6V 3N2

Mr. Murray GlassfordCity of MississaugaParks & Recreation3235 Mavis RoadMississauga, LSC )T7

Mr. WIlly JensonCity of MississaugaParks & Recreation3235 Mavis RoadMississauga, LSC 1T7

Mr. Danny BaconCity of MississaugaParks & Recreation3235 Mavis RoadMississauga, LSC 1T7

Mr. Tom HollowayCity of MississaugaParks & Recreation3235 Mavis RoadMississauga, LSC I T7

Mr. Larry ChristianCity of MississaugaParks & Recreation3235 Mavis RoadMississauga, LSC J T7

Mr. R. Keith DavidsonRecreation DirectorTown of KincardinePO Box 583Kincardine, N2Z 2Y9

Mr. Fred K. BoekelParks Maintenance ManagerTown of MarkhamParks and Recreation891 I Woodbine AvenueMarkham, L3R IA 1

Mr. Mark PalencharTown of Oakville1225 Trafalgar RoadOakville, L6J 5A6

Mr. Leo OstnerTown of Oakville1225 Trafalagar RoadOakville, L6J 5A6

Mr. Peter KleschnltzklTown of Oakville1225 Trafalagar RoadOakville, L6J 5A6

Mr. Dan GutterldgeSamia Parks & Recreation Dept.255 North Christine StreetSamia, NlT 7N2

Mr. Jim BlaxallThe Public Utilities CommissionLabatt ParkP.O. Box 2700London, NbA 4H6

MembersbiiP ListingMr. Mike ReganFacility Maintainer/OperatorThe Public Utilities CommissionLabatt ParkP.O Box 2700London, NbA 4H6

Mr. John F. de RondeDevelopment & Beautification Co-ord.Department of Parks & RecreationP.O. Box 364504 Fourth Street EastCornwall, K6H 5TI

Mr. Richard J. SpraggsTown EngineerCorporation of the Town of Leamington83 Wilkinson DriveLeami~gton, M3H 1A4

Mr. Jim HaywardCity of North YorkParks and Recreation Department5100 Yonge StreetNorth York, M2N 5V7

Mr. Dave' GarrlockCity of North YorkParks and Recreation Department5100 Yonge StreetNorth York. M2N 5V7

Mr. Doug HansonCity of North YorkParks and Recreation Department5100 Yonge StreetNorth York, M2N 5V7

Mr. Andre SvanenbergCity of North YorkParks and Recreation Department5100 Yonge StreetNorth York, M2N 5V7

Mr. Bill HardingCity of North YorkParks and Recreation Department5100 Yonge StreetNorth York, M2N 5V7

Ms. Uane McKennaDirector. Parks DivisionCity of ScarboroughParks & Recreation DepartmentScarborough. M 1 P 4N7

Mr. P. O'ConnellCity of TorontoParks and Recreation123 Edward StreetToronto, M5H 2N2

Mr. Vietor PortelliDirector of OperationsMetro Parks & Property Department365 Bay Street, 9th FloorToronto, M5H 2Vl

Mr. R.J. StandishManager of Parks, Trees & SewersCorporation of the City of Ottawa1355 Bank Street, 6th FloorOttawa. K 1 H BK7

Mr. Cliff TurnerFacility DirectorOrillia Parks & Recreation20 Mississauga Street WestOrillia, L3V 6K8

Mr. J.D. RoweParks SuperintendentDepartment of Recreation ServicesTown of ~ax65 Harwood Avenue South~ax. LIS 2H9

Mr. Vic HergottSuperintendent of ParksCity of Cambridge73 Water Street Northp.o. Box 669cambridge. N 1R 5W8

Mr. Ne.1ICampbellCity of KitchenerParks & Pecreanon DepartmentBox 1118Kitchener. N2G 4G7

Mr. J.A. MorleyDirector of HortfcultureThe Niagara Parks CommissionP.O. Box 150Niagara Falls, L2E 6T2

City of Niagara FallsSuperintendent of Parks4310 Queen StreetNiagara Falls. L2E 6X5

Corporation of the Townof Newmarket

P.O. Box 328. 465 Davis DriveNewmarket, L3Y 4X7

Mr. John BllzThe Muskoka Board of EducationP.O. Box 75014 Pine StreetBracebridge, POB J CO

Mr. George BaileyAssistant Plant SupervisorEast York Board of Education840 Coxwell AvenueToronto, M4C 2V3


Mr. Greg BrookingSuperintendent of ParksCity of Owen Sound75 Second Avenue WestOwen Sound. N4K 2E5

Mr. Don HarrisonRecreation Facilities MemberTown of BradfordBox 251Bradford. L3Z 2A8

Mr. HAlerschorenSuperintendent of ParksCity of BramptonParks & Recreation Department150 Central Park DriveBrampton. L6T 2T9

Mr. Hugh LoganDirector of Culture & RecreationThe Corporation of the City of Chathamp.o. Box 640Chatham, N7M 5K8

Mr. Everett BuntsmaCorporation of the Town of Pickering17 I 0 Kingston RoadPickering. LJ V 1C7

Town of Pentetangulshene10 Robert Street WestP.O. Box 580Pentetanguishene, LOK 1 PO

Mr. Jack KamstraFacilities ManagerParks & Recreation DepartmentTown of Hanover269 7th AvenueHanover, N4N 2H5

HOSPITALS

Mr. Gerald BarkleyGroundskeeper IIGrey Bruce Regional Health Centre1400 8th Street EastOwen Sound. N4K 6M9

BOARDS OF EDUCATION

Mr. Bill ThompsonThe Muskoka Board of EducationP.O. Box 75014 Pine StreetBracebridge, POB I CO

Mr. Mike StaceyForeman General TradesBoard of EducationCity of York40 I Alliance AvenueToronto, M6N 2J 1

Mr. Ron BarnesSupervisor. Plant EngineeringMaintenance - GroundsBoard of Education for the City of London951 Leathorne StreetLondon, N5Z 3M?

Mr. John WatsonSub-Foreman. Grounds DepartmentWaterloo County Board of Education5 I Ardelt Avenuer.o. Box 68Kitchener, N2C 2E 1

Mr. George HammerForeman of Grounds & VehiclesWaterloo County Board of Education51 Ardelt AvenueP.O. Box 68Kitchener, N2C 2E 1

Mr. Jim McKlvorGrounds ForemanThe Wellington County Board of Education500 Victoria Road NorthGuelph, N I E 6K2

Mr. Robert BellisSupervisor Grounds and TransportationPeel Board of Education3214 Mavis RoadMississauga, LSC 1T9

Mr. Peter TaylorOperations ManagerOttawa Board of EducationPlant Department350 Gilmour StreetOttawa. K2P 0P9

UNIVERSITIES

Mr. Bill ClausenFacility ManagerDepartment of AthleticsUniversity of GuelphGuelph. N1G 2Wl

Mr. M.J. BladonGrounds DepartmentUniversity of GuelphGuelph. NIG 2Wl

Mr. Christopher MarkAssistant SuperintendentGrounds & Vehicles DepartmentYork University42 Neuchatel PlaceMississauga. L5N 6A7

Mr. Jack FunkLandscape SupervsorPhysical Plant DepartmentUniversity of Toronto215 Huron Street, 6th FloorToronto. M5S IAI

Mr. Darrell CermlnaraGrounds SupervisorMcMaster University1280 Main Street WestHamilton, L8S 4L8

Mr. Franz RelneltGrounds SupervisorPhysical Plant DevelopmentUniversity of Western Ontario.1151 Richmond Street NorthLondon, N6A 3K7

Mr. Andrew McFallPhysical Plant BuildingLakehead University955 Oliver RoadThunder Bay, P7B 5El

COMMUNITY COLLEGESSeneca College1750 Finch AvenueNorth York, M2J 2X5

Mr. Stephen BodsworthDirectorHorticulture & Humber Arboretum205 Humber College Blvd.Etobicoke, M9W 5L7

PRIVATE SCHOOLSMr. Bill Anderson'Director of Physical PlantUpper Canada College200 Lonsdale RoadToronto, M4V lW6

Mr. Brian L SuttonGrounds ManagerHavergal College1451 Avenue RoadToronto, M5N 2H9

Mr. Les AndrewProperty ManagerRidley Colleger.o Box 3013St. Catharines, L2R 7C3

STUDENT

Mr. D. MatthewsUniversity of GuelphHorticulture DepartmentJ 16 First Street WestElmira, N3B 1 G4

CONSULTANTS/OTHER

Mr. Vic Palmer56 Cavendish Crescent(Green Team)Bramalea. L6T 1Z4

Mr. James A. EistoneGolf Green Industries Ltd.(Pinestone Inn Country Club]R.R. #2Haliburton, KOM I SO

Mr. Peter PrakkePA.CConsultantsR.R. #4, Golf Club RoadSmiths Falls, K7A 4S5

Mr. Jame$ H. Boyce517 Highland AvenueOttawa, K2A 2S8

Mr. Pat J. TuckerPat Tucker AssociatesHorticultural Consultants745 Scottsdale DriveGuelph, N 1G 3P7

DISTRIBUTORs/EOUIPMENT Mr. Ronald M. CraigPresidentRMC Equipment Ltd.Markham, L3R 3K7

MANITOBAMr. Norman RothwellRothwell Seeds LimitedP.O. Box 51/Lindsay. K9V 4S5

Mr. G. Eros, PresidentOseco Seeds Inc.P.O. Box 219sramoton L6V 2L2

Mr. Glen BurgessSales ManagerSkyway Lawn Equipment1067 Beach BoulevardHamilton, L6H 6Z9

Mr. Doug MacMillanSales RepresentativeOtto Pick & Sons Seeds Ltd.Box 176, (Pickseed)Richmond Hill, L4C 4X9

Mr. E.J. McCann, PresidentAlbion SeedBox 492Bolton, LOP IRO

Mr. Michael J. MilloyPresidentGateman-Milloy Contracotrs Ltd.270 Shoemaker StreetKitchener. N2E 3E 1

Mr. Glen B. PelsterPresidentMcLean Pelster Limited3328 King Street EastKitchener, N2A IB3

Mr. Rod HermitagePresidentAG-Turf Cemicals Inc.62 Roehampton CourtKitchener, N2A 3L 1

Mr. David DickSales AgentlTurf SpecialistRepresenting Scotts Proturf39 Monte Vista TrailBrampron. L6Z lY2

Mr. SCott RichmondC/O Hutcheson Sand & MixesP.O. Box 910Huntsville, POA 1KO

Mr. Ernest PecoreDOL Brothers LimitedR.S. #4Cookstown, LOL 1 LO

Mr. John OwensBrouwer Turf EqUipment Ltd.Woodbine AvenueR.R. #2Keswick, L4P 3E9

Fairlawn SodFairlawn Sod Nursery Ltd.R.R. #2Lynden, LOR 1TO

Mr. Frank T. WattsPresidentBelhaven Sod Farms LimitedR.R.#1Newmarket, L3Y 4V8

Mr. Charles K. WilliamsKelp Products International3980 Cheswood DriveDownsview, 'M3J 2W6

Mr. M.M. Mayne, PresidentOntario Turf EqUipment Co. Ltd.50 Charterhouse CrescentLondon, KSW 5V5

Mr: Mark RittenhouseVice PresidentM.K. Rittenhouse & Sons Ltd.R.R. #3, 4th AvenueSt. Catherines, L2R 6P9

Mr. Bruce CalhounG. Bannerman Ltd.41 Kelfield StreetRexdale, M9W 5A3

Mr. Paul GII"neHolland Equipment Ltd20 Phoebe StreetNorwich, NOJ 1 PO

Mr. Everett NleuwkoopSales RepresentativeOntario Seed Company Ltd330 Phillip StreetWaterloo, N2J 3Z9

Mr. SCott C. RutherfordSales ManagerConsport Inc.3363 Bayview AvenueWiliowdale, M2K 1G6

. Mr. Geoffrey CorlettTurf Drain22 Spring StreetGuelph, N 1E 1Z8

Mr. Bill VanderlindenVice PresidentVQuip Inc.14 Plains Road WestBurlington, N7T 1 E9

BRITISH COLUMBIAResort Municipality of WhistlerParks Turf Leadhand4381 Blackomb WayPO Box 35Whistler, Be. VON 1 BO

Mr. Dave HiltonParks Services SuperintendentParks DepartmentCity of Kamloops, City Hall7 Victoria Street WestKamloops, B.e. V2C IN

Mr. AI McNivenDirector, Parks & RecreationGreater Vernon331O-37th AvenueVernon, B.e. VlT 2Y5

Mr. Barry ElliottPark AdministratorCoquitlam Parks & Recreation Dept633 Poirier StreetCoquitlam, B.e. V3J 6A9

ALBERTAMs. Kim KnightSportfield Sup. & AquatiC Sup.The City of Form MNcMurray9909 Franklin AvenueFort McMurray, Alberta T9H 2K4

Mr. DwIght HudsonParks & Recreation OperatorBox 1124Raymond, Alberta TOK 2S0

Mr. Wayne S. McCutcheonGeneral ManagerGrounds Maintenance DivisionUniversity of AlbertaDepartment of Physical PlantEdmonton, Alberta T6G 3H 1

Ms. Susan WeedaIndustrial & Residential SupervisorMonsanto Canada Inc.55 Murray Park RoadWinnipeg, Manitoba R3J 3W2

SASKA TCHE\XIANCity of Prince Albert1084 Central AvenuePrince Albert, saskatchewan S6V 7P3

Mr. Tom JohnsonCity of Regina2476 Victoria Avenuep.o. Box 1790Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3C8

Mr. Kevin YoungLand Use TechnicianSouris Basin Development Authority245 Ambassador EstatesEstevan, saskatchewan S4A 2R8

Mr. Kenneth C. Turner, PAg.Grounds SupervisorPhysical PlantUniversity of saskatchewanSub PO #6Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO

Mr. Bill SkerrettParks SuperintendentParks & Recreation DepartmentAvenue P and 32nd StreetSaskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K OJ5

Mr. Art SolvasonCity of Regina2476 Victoria Avenuep.o. Box 1790Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3C8

QUEBECMr. P.D.l. KnowMcGill UniversityBox 164, MacDonald CollegeSte Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 1CO

NEWFOUNDLAND

Mr.· Hubert NoseworthySt John's Municipal CouncilCity of St. John'sPo. Box 908St John's Newfoundland AIC 5M2

NOVA SCOTIAMr. Bill MurphyDirector of RecreationCape Cod CountyRecreation DepartmentCounty Administration Bldg865 Grand Lake RoadSydney, Nova ScotiaBIP 6W2

Mr. John Cotton, DirectorMunicipality of the County of InvernessP.O. Box 179Port Hood, Nova Scotia BOE 2W0

Mr. Jim PykeDirector of Parks & RecreationStrait Area Education and Recreation CentreP.O. Box 10Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia BOE 2JO


MORE LABSWILLPROVIDE TESTING

Several Ontrio laboratories will be providing analysesunder the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food's newlaboratory accreditation program which came into effectSeptember 1, 1989.

In March, the ministry announced its intentions to furtherprivatize laboratory testing services for farms, home lawnand garden greenhouse media, plant tissues and livestockfeeds. Ontario-based laboratories were invited to provide thetesting services. "

Until five years ago, the ministry's laboratory testing ser-

vices were handled by the University of Guelph. At that time,the ministry tendered for testing services and one laboratorywas given a five year contract which expired August 31,1989.

Clients will be required to pay for all analyses. To date,they were not paying analyses of farm soils.

The following laboratories have been accredited to pro-vide the services note. Other laboratories are in the processof submitting their results and refining their procedures. Ad-ditional laboratories may oe accredited and announced laterthis fall.

Submission forms are available in English and Frenchfrom your local OMAF 'lffice with a comprehensive listing ofall accredited labs, analyses offered and details on how tosubmit samples.

ACCREDITED LASORA TORIESAccredited for Analysis of the criteria as shown below (11"')

1. Soils (Farm, Home and Layvn and Garden)

BASICTEST OFTIONAL TEST

BufferpH p MnCriteria pH K ZnMg

LABORATORIES

Accutest Labs Ltd.Nepean

Agn-Food Labs, Guelph

C1LSoil & TissueTesting Centre, Courtright

2. Greenhouse Media and Nutrient Solutions

TotalCriteria pH Salts N03 P K Ca Mg CI

Agri-Foods Labs, 11'" 11'" 11'" 11'" 11'" 11'" 11'" 11'"Guelph

OMAF TURF HOTLINE-WELL WORTH

THE EFFORT'The OMAF Turf Hotline has been well received by the turf

industry. The hotline was updated weekly from April 7th -October 6th and proved to be an excellent method of dis-seminating up-to-date information on turf management to alarge number of people across the province. Your commentson the hotline would be appreciated as we hope to con-tinue this service in 1990.


NUTRITEOntario: 1-800-265-8865/ Quebec: 1-800-363-1330

PROFILEOF ...NORMAN M.ROTHWELL

nesshe still runs.The company specialization and emphasisis on proprietary varietal distribution which means he con-trols the salesof many of the grassesin use today, of thesegrasses are some 15 Kentucky Bluegrassvarieties includingGlade, Scenic,Paradeand Challenger. In the creeping Bentshe lists Adelphi and most notable Penncross.ln the per-ennial rye qrassesAll Star,Birdie II,Pennant and Ranger plusseveral Tall Fescues,Chewings Fescues, Colonial Bents,Hard Fescue,and SheepsFescue.

He is the past president of the Canadian SeedTrade As:.sociation and a Canadian Director and past president of theAmerican Seed Trade Association. Last but not least he is apast president of The Lawn Institute, a position he held forfiveyears.The only foreigner (hiswords) to be named to thatAssociation.

Norman has a commitment to making North Americagreen and with environmental problems as they are todaythis is a very large order. It is a commitment the SportsTurfAssociation isable to not only relateto but also rallybehind.

Norman Rothwell was recently made the CanadianDirector of the Lawn Institute.

We are pleased to introduce Mr. Norman Rothwell ofLindsay, Ontario. He was born, raisedand educated in East-ern Ontario. and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in1942.

In 1948 he joined the Toronto ElevatorsLtd. working fortheir Agricultural Division. When they acquired Hogg &Lytle,he L 'nsferred to that division to develop the farm andturf seed business. In 1969he resigned to join National NKseedsand their EasternCanadian Manager. Threeyears laterhe founded Rothwell SeedsLtd., at Lindsay Ontario. a busi

ROB THIBODEAU (Continued from page 3)

in the position where my client has warned the userswith a large properly placed sign visible to all users ifthe potential hazard or danger cannot be removed. Anexample of this is the situation found in most hockeyarenas where bleachers for fans are placed so close to'the boards that people standing on the first level of thebleachers can actually reach over the plexiglass. If thiscannot be altered,clearnotices should be placed.

7. You should work closely with your coaches and otherpermit users,clubs and leagues to require them or con-vince them to inspect the facilities that they are aboutto use before each and every one of their games andevents. The establishment of this double inspectionsystem will ensure that cornrplaints. potential hazardsand dangers are checked by at least two individualson almost a daily basis and hopefully will reduce boththe frequency of the injuries and the possibility of litiga-tion arising therefrom;

8. You should upgrade the design and capabilities of allolder facilities and playing surfaces and, if this cannotbe done, limit the use of these older facilities in orderto protect against injuriesand potential litigation;

9. You should keep detailed records of the amount offunds spent on repair, maintenance and inspectionand a comparison should be available to DefenceCounsel of the money expended by the Parks and

. Recreation Department in the previous year and as acomparison to other Municipal departments and to theoverall budget available to the Municipality;

10. You should establish, implement and adequately su-pervise a complaint system in order that oral or writtencomplaints received from residentsor usersof the faci-lities are directed to a specific individual who then hasnot only the responsibility to properly and adequatelyrecord the complaint but to direct the work necessaryto investigate and resolve the problem to the right indi-vidual. Once again records of the resolution of the

problem should be kept;11. You should ensure that you have a detailed, complex

accident investigation and reporting system in placefor all accidents occurrinq during the use of your facili-ties. A detailed report should be completed as to thecircumstances of the accident and statements takenfrom all witnesses, including Municipal employees assoon after the accident occurs as possible.All accidentsshould be immediately reported to the insurance ad-juster in your area who acts for the Municipality so thathe can determine if the insurershould be put on noticeand if he should conduct further investigation.

These are some of the suggestions that in my experiencebenefit greatly the defense of a Municipality in actions aris-ing from accidents occurring on playing fields and infacilities.

I advise however that I am not a great believer in the es-tablishment of written policies and procedures either con-tained in a manual or provided to your employees. Plaintiff'ssolicitors always litigate against Municipalities with a two-pronged approach. If proper records are not kept they willclaim you are negligent and therefore liable because youhave failed to properly recordyour inspection, maintenanceand repairs and therefore the impliction is that you did nothave a system in place. The other prong of the approach isthat if you do have a system as suggested by myself in thispaper, they will look aggressivelyfor any mistakesthat youmade in following your own systemand argue that becauseyou failed to follow your own system or breached one ofyour own guidelines you are therefore negligent. I wouldprefer to be in the latter situation, however, I do not wish tofreely provide the Plaintiff'ssolicitor with ammunition for hisargument that we are in breach of our own guidelines. Theestablishment of written policies and procedures is in myopinion neither necessary nor desirable from a DefenceCounsel's standpoint.

Finally, a note on the practical aspectsof litigating actionsagainst Municipalities arisin~ from injuries sustained on


sports turf and other playing surfaces. If you have ever beeninvolved in the process known in our system as Examina-tions for Discovery, you will be aware that this is an oppor-tunity for the Plaintiff's solicitor to aggressively pursue all as-pects of the system that you have established for the oper-ation of your Parks and Recreation Department. In a sports-tuf liability case, this Examination process will include acomplete Examination of the original design and construc-tion of your turf and, if a Plaintiff's counsel is astute, he willalso inquire into the irrigation and compaction qualities ofthe surface upon which the injury occurred, as well as in-numerable other factors that you are aware of which are in-volved in the proper preparation of a playing surface for use.The Examination for Discovery process can be a rewardingexperience, both from an educational standpoint to yourselfand from the standpoint of defending the Plaintiff's lawsuit.However, on the other hand, it can also be a devastatingprocess if the loss prevention suggestions that I have madeare not implemented and followed.

In conclusion, there are two words which probably best. summarize both the legal situation that you find yourselves

in and your response to that situation: Reasonable Respon-siblity. Parks and Recreation Departments in the operation oftheir playing field facilities are responsible to peform actswhich a reasonably prudent individual would have orshould have determined were necessary to protect the usersof those facilities. If you fail to do that, you will be responsi-ble. However, another aspect of responsibility in a loss pre-vention sense is to ensure that you have put in place systemswhich generate the evidence and the documentation whichnot only will result in a properly and reasonably maintainedplaying surface but will permit a successful defence of thePlaintiff's action arising from injuries sustained on that sur-face.

Upcoming EventsSports Turf Assoc./CGSA Conference Dec. 10-13/89Metro Convention Centre, Toronto

Sports Turf Managers Association Jan. 19-21/90Conference

Wyndamgreens Point Hotel, Houston, Texas

ASTM SYMPOSIUMWe hope in future issues to bring you some of the papers

presented at the ASTM Symposium in Phoenix, Arizona.These relate to sports equipment, facilities and playing sur-faces. As of this writing we do not have written consent todo so.

The titles will include: "Safety Concerns in the Design ofSports Fields" by A. Mittelstadt of the American Safety Insti-tute; "Standards for the Playing Quality of Natural Turf for As-sociaton Football" by P.M. Canaway of the Sport Turf Re-search Institute, Bingley, England; and "InjUry Frequency onArtificial Turf and Natural Grass for American Football & Soc-cer" by Benne Nigg, University of Calgary.


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