The preliminary design phase has been completed for a new track at Delta Secondary School.
That was the latest update from city staff to the Delta council/Delta Board of Education Liaison Committee on plans to build a new track at the Ladner high school.
Staff are currently working with FortisBC to identify underground lines.
The city last year, in partnership with the school district, issued a request for proposals for an engineering consultant to coordinate and develop a detailed design for a new track. Construction is scheduled for later in 2023.
The existing 400-metre, six-lane cinder surface running track and natural grass sports field are to be replaced with a 400-metre standard running track with eight oval and eight straight lanes for 100 metre and 110 metre hurdles, one separate facility for long and triple jump with a landing area at each end, a sand-based turf sports infield area complete with upgraded drainage and irrigation systems, a hard surface pedestrian connection linking the redeveloped track facility to existing hard surface areas adjacent to the school building and adjacent sidewalks along 45th Avenue.
New lighting will also be added to ensure the facility is well utilized.
Actual tendering of the project and associated construction are targeted for early spring.
Meanwhile, the city is also planning to eventually add a new track at Seaquam Secondary as well as a second artificial turf field at Mackie Park in North Delta.
The city is currently working out a land exchange agreement with the school district to facilitate a second field at Mackie Park. Details regarding parking at the park and the neighbouring schools are to be addressed within the agreement.
Elsewhere, construction has begun on a new field house at the North Delta Secondary track, which opened in 2021. The field house is scheduled for completion later this year.
On another front, the liaison committee was assured of city council’s commitment to work with school district on the reparation and maintenance of school fields.
The committee was told council has committed to funding the reparation and maintenance of two fields per year, as some are facing challenges due to a high volume of use.
During the committee’s discussion, Mayor George Harvie, who chairs the group, noted that the funding for the initiative will be from the revenue the city receives from the new casino.
Harvie added the school district will be able to choose which fields are to be repaired each year.
