Coun. Bruce McDonald has started the ball rolling on a possible funding partnership between the City of Delta and the Delta School District.
Citing the City of Delta’s lack of adequate track and field facilities capable of hosting any certified track meet, McDonald put forward a notice of motion this week urging Delta to develop an agreement with the school district to bring a track to North Delta and South Delta.
Council will discuss the issue at its May 14 meeting.
McDonald said the next logical step is for council to make a public declaration of support so all parties can apply for newly announced infrastructure grants together.
McDonald’s notice comes just days after the school district ripped up the track at South Delta Secondary citing safety concerns with its 30-year-old surface.
School district staff removed the rubber track and painted lines on the asphalt surface underneath to allow the track to be used for year-end track and field meets beginning this week.
According to Delta board of education chair Laura Dixon, the surfacing issue needed to be addressed to ensure a safe track for the immediate future.
Hoping to utilize new provincial funding to replace the district’s shabby tracks, the board last fall approached the city about what it would take to bring together all three levels of government and perhaps other funding partners. Trustees noted thousands of Delta residents would benefit from such facilities.
At a parks, recreation and culture commission meeting, representatives from the district outlined their study of track and sports field improvements at four secondary schools. Data was gathered to develop a draft plan and cost estimates. The commission was told the base project cost was estimated at $2.4 million to $4 million with options pushing costs toward $6 million.
