The Delta Secondary Parent Advisory Council says it's continuing to advocate for a turf field at the Ladner high school despite a decision by Delta council earlier this week.
Municipal politicians voted in favour of a staff recommendation Monday to endorse the Ladner Sport Field Enhancement Plan, containing a series of improvements to sports fields. The biggest item in the plan, costing $3.8 million, is a lit synthetic turf field at Dugald Morrison Park.
The Delta Secondary PAC had asked earlier this year to have Ladner's second artificial turf field located at the community's only high school.
PAC spokesperson Trish Cowley said that while the group is disappointed with council's decision, it remains hopeful and is planning to meet with the school district next month as well as with MLA Vicki Huntington and the school board/council liaison committee.
It has already met with the parks and recreation department to discuss the idea of a partnership between Delta and the school district. However, council was told this week that having Delta build a field at the high school wouldn't fit the criteria of user groups having "unfettered access" to the field.
"The commission's report cites that the DSS location would not serve the needs of the sports organizations that wish to have unfettered access to the field and do not wish to compete with school programs for use of the fields. However, this special committee has provided numerous examples of joint partnerships between school districts and municipalities from around the province which have happily dealt with usage issues," a Delta Secondary PAC news release stated.
"Who is going to use this $3.8 million field all day? That's a lot of money to spend on something that is only going to be used for 60 hours a week on average. Then consider the numbers of users, which could be increased by 2,000 high school and elementary students, not to mention seniors...
"Ultimately, all this committee strives to do is ask that the two key players in the proposed turf project meet to discuss their respective promises, in their respective vision statements and put the turf where it will get maximum usage by the maximum number of people, and is the most fiscally efficient, Delta Secondary School."
The PAC maintains any issues regarding impacts to the surrounding neighbourhood at the high school can be worked out.
At the last Delta council meeting, several councillors noted having the new turf field at Dugald Morrison Park meets the huge demand by sport user groups who are having a difficult time getting playing time due to the sloppy conditions of existing grass fields. They said there's still a possibility something can be done down the road at DSS, but they also pointed out sport field needs in Tsawwassen and North Delta must also be addressed.
The Dugald Morrison turf field would be financed primarily by Delta, which would look to user groups to contribute. Grant money would also be sought from senior government.
Parks and recreation director Ken Kuntz told council user groups were unanimous the Dugald Morrison site in the civic precinct fit all the criteria when it comes to accessibility, being centrally located and having minimal impact on the surrounding neighbourhood.
He noted having a turf field at the park would benefit both Ladner and Tsawwassen, since four Ladner soccer teams, for example, have their home field in Tsawwassen due to the lack of playable surfaces.
