Deferred Neighbourhood Recreation Project To Proceed Partially in 2020

A recreation capital project which was shelved as a means to save funds during the City’s response to the COVID - 19 has been green lighted to partially proceed in 2020.

At their September 21st meeting Council agreed to spend $70,000 to install a cement pad, lighting and winter water hookup for a joint use basketball court and hockey rink for the West Park neighbourhood. The project was intially approved in March 2020 but deferred in April 2020 under advisement of Administration.

The $70,000 is part of an overall $372.700 capital project to develop the recreation area in the new neighbourhood located north of Thatcher Drive and adajacent 9th Avenue NW. The recreation area will include such ammenities as a spray park, the cement pad for basketball and a skating rink, irrigation enhancements, outdoor pavillion, park benches and garbage receptacles, pathway connections and signage.

The $372,700 cost will be split with the City providing $190,00 or 51 percent of the cost and the West Park Community Association providing $182,700 or 49 percent of the cost.

The $70,000 spending request for 2020 will come from $20,000 raised by the Community Association, a $10,000 naming rights pledge by the Moose Jaw Kinsmen Club and $40,000 from deferred 2020 capital projects.

The 2020 project cost breaks down into $50,000 for the cement court pad, $15,000 for the court lighting and $5,000 for the winter water connection.

The spray park, irrigation enhancements, outdoor pavillion, park benches and garbage receptacles, pathway connections and signage would remain deferred to 2021.

The City will pay for the water and electricity with the actual maintenance of the skating pad the responsibility of the West Park Community Association.

The request to commence the project in 2020 came from residents.

“We have been approached by the West Park Community Association about the installation of their concrete sport pad and lighting so they can possibly install an outdoor rink this Winter season,” parks and recreation director Derek Blais said.

Councillor Brian Swanson commented about the differences between other community outdoor rinks and what is proposed for West Park.

“I think of the other outdoor rinks in town and how the ice is poured on the ground so the idea this is necessary to have an outdoor rink this Winter they have to have the concrete base. So they can’t have a rink without the concrete base?” Councillor Swanson asked.

Blais said the option simly pouring the water on the ground was discussed with the Community Association but the “concrete base would give them a head start for the basketball next year and also provide a better option to flood the rink.”

The site of the cement pad was initially to be a soccer field which may require leveling so the “safer bet” would be to pour the concrete pad, he said.

In an unamimous vote Council approved the motion.