Now it remains to be seen how much of the bill Delta taxpayers will pay for a new track facility at North Delta Secondary.
The city has gone through the application process for funding under the Federal Bilateral Funding Grant for Instructure programs. The cost of the NDSS project is now estimated at $8 million and Mayor George Harvie has stated the city will proceed regardless of how much funding they receive.
The Delta school board this week approved a long-term lease and development agreement with the city, a necessary step in the city being eligible for the funding.
It includes an eight-lane synthetic turf track with directed lighting, a perimeter walking path, a natural grass infield and well as multi-sports court to the side to accommodate tennis and pickle ball.
The plan is to commence the project by December 2020 with completion by September of 2021. A shared use agreement would see students use the facility during scheduled school days and the community during non-school hours or when not in school use.
The district will lease the land to Delta for $1 per year for 60 years with the city assuming construction as well as operational and maintenance duties of the facility.
The project still needs to go to council for final approval.
Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon recently told the Optimist he’s thrilled to see the project moving forward.
“We made the announcement about the fund in North Delta Secondary. I’m delighted that something that I’ve been advocating for a long time is happening and I think the mayor and council have it right on this one. My hope that the application that they put through is successful and we make this into a true partnership – federal, provincial, school board and city.”
He added, “Quite frankly, people in the community want this and it would be an excellent example of how we can all work together.”
Meanwhile, when it comes to the resurfacing project for the track at South Delta Secondary, a joint funding project with the city, the school board was told it needed retendering for fresh bids. The plan is to have it installed this year during the dry season, but it won't be ready for track and field season.
