Field improvements could be coming for a pair of Delta parks.
A recent report to the parks, recreation and culture commission notes many of Delta's sport fields’ drainage and irrigation are in excess of 40 years old and, in many cases, no longer functioning to the capacity required.
As a result, the fields can only accommodate limited hours of play during the winter season.
New drainage and irrigation will allow significantly more hours of use and will enable the turf to be in a healthier state requiring less maintenance, the report notes.
The parks infrastructure funding program included, among other things, a plan for new drainage and irrigation systems for several parks.
The city had originally planned to direct $2.6 million of this year’s property tax increase to the program, created for additional ongoing support for parks infrastructure capital and enhanced sport field maintenance.
It was deferred following the outbreak of COVID-19 with council revising Delta’s financial plan and approving a lower overall tax increase.
However, several million dollars became available for parks projects when dollars originally intended for a new track at North Delta Secondary were freed up after the city received funding from senior government for that project, which is now being constructed.
With extra money now available, the parks department, noting there’s a growing demand for winter sports in North Delta, recommended that the first drainage improvement projects include Gunderson and Sunbury parks.
The estimated cost for those projects are $450,000 and $500,000 respectively.
They’ll require final approval from council.
