More work will be completed on the city’s big track project now that the weather is getting better.
Located at North Delta Secondary, much of the work for the new track and field facility has already been completed.
Parks, Recreation and Culture director Ken Kuntz told the Optimist the city has been waiting for the temperature to increase before the track’s rubberized surface could be installed, work that’s expected to begin later this month.
The city, around the same time, is also expecting to have some more design work on the new field house, although construction on that portion of the project will likely not begin until this fall.
Kuntz noted that the city is looking at the possibility of utilizing shipping containers to create a modern industrial-looking structure for the field house, said Kuntz.
“It is early days and the use of these containers may not pan out, but we are doing our due diligence to determine if there is really a cost savings using this type of technology. We expect to have more information by way of design and costs within the next couple weeks,” said Kuntz.
He also noted there is $1.2 million within the project budget set aside for the field house.
Once completed, the project will include an eight-lane, 400 metre rubberized track surface with lighting, seating, a natural turf infield, as well as other features such as two tennis courts with pickleball court markings and additional parking.
The project has a total price tag of about $8 million.
Last year, the city was successful in securing a $5.87 million Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program Community Culture and Recreation Program Grant, a combined federal and provincial funding grant.
Delta entered into a lease agreement and track development agreement with the Delta School Board for a portion of the North Delta Secondary site a couple of years ago.
The school district also agreed to contribute $150,000 for the new field house.
