Shipping containers will play a prominent role in the design of the new fieldhouse at the North Delta Secondary track facility.
Council last week approved a $138,000 contract for architectural design services for the fieldhouse, which is to use repurposed shipping containers.
The city last year awarded a $100,000 contract to the same consultant to come up with the design for a standalone fieldhouse building with a size in the range of 2,000-to-2,500 square feet, but shortly thereafter the city revised its vision for the building.
The new vision favoured an emphasis on the use of alternative building design and construction, namely the repurposing of shipping containers as the primary structural element, along with an expanded building footprint to better accommodate anticipated user needs.
The consultant was then engaged to develop a schematic design involving containers as well as a bigger building in the 4,000-square-foot range over two levels.
The consultant was paid $20,532 for the service and will now receive another $138,800 for a more detailed design.
The building is to be constructed next year.
It remains to be seen what the final cost will be to build the new fieldhouse, especially with its larger size and new design elements.
Former parks and recreation director Ken Kuntz earlier this year told the Optimist there was $1.2 million within the track and field budget set aside for the building.
Opened this year, the new track facility includes an eight-lane, 400 metre rubberized track surface with lighting, seating, a natural turf infield, as well as other features.
The project had 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 fieldhouse.
