Delta council at its upcoming regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 21 will discuss the preliminary concept for the new Winskill Aquatic and Fitness Centre, showing how the results of the first phase of the public engagement program have been incorporated into the plan.
According to the city, in addition to introducing the preliminary concept, the staff report also provides updates on the project cost estimate, a plan for reforestation, relocation options for disc golf, next steps for public engagement and a grant application.
Among the updates, a contractor will begin mobilizing on Oct. 28, 2024 to begin removal of an estimated 166 trees in the western portion of Winskill Park to facilitate site preparation and construction of the new U15 ball diamond and the relocated U13 ball diamond in 2025.
As far as the preliminary reforestation plan, the report explains, “These areas include the perimeter area outside the new and relocated baseball diamonds, around a potential Community Plaza, along future walkways, within the new parking lot, and south of the existing parking lot. The perimeter reforestation area would include a new walkway. Approximately 275-300 trees around the new and relocated baseball diamonds would be retained.”
The report adds, “The exact number of replacement trees will be determined following the detailed reforestation analysis, but preliminary estimates would see the City planting between 375 and 400 new trees. More detailed reforestation plans will be presented in early 2025."
Council last month decided to proceed with a revised reconfiguration of the playing fields at Winskill Park to also include the fourth baseball diamond to be constructed in conjunction with the other improvements.
Council voted in favour of proceeding with preparing the site for the new diamond in time for the 2025 season, rather than the option of deferring it.
Another report this summer noted that Delta retained an independent arborist to complete surveys and reports for the Winskill Park trees back in 2020. Two reports were completed, with an updated field review in June 2024.
The updated surveys showed that approximately 46 per cent of the trees are in poor condition. Of the 490 trees surveyed, only 16 are in good condition, while 247 are in moderate condition and 227 are in poor condition, according to the report.
