Conceptual design plans for the Sportsplex upgrade are on hold.
The majority of city council voted not to move forward with Sportsplex plans until the Strathcona Gardens RECREATE project is complete.
The SRD’s RECREATE project looked at what the community needed, how facilities the recreation facilities were used, and what other services could be delivered.
Councillor Charlie Cornfield was the only member who opposed delaying the Sportsplex upgrades. Other councillors voiced why they thought it would be a good idea to delay Sportsplex plans.
“Should the RECREATE project go forward, that we could end up duplicating services throughout the community, and vice-versa. Should it not be done, then we’re going to have to take a look at how we use each facility,” Councillor Babchuk said.
“I don’t believe this delays anything in the long term.”
Councillor Claire Moglove agrees.
“I support the idea that the Sportsplex needs some work and some expansion. However, what that will look like can be and will be probably affected by the RECREATE. If we’re successful, that will inform what work, if any, needs to be done at the Sportsplex,” Councillor Moglove said.
Mayor Andy Adams agrees with Councillor Cornfield, but he also says it’s important to wait on the RECREATE results.
“I certainly hear, Councillor Cornfield, the Sportsplex is in dire need of some improvements but (we need) to hold off until we find out exactly what is happening at Strathcona Gardens so that we’re not wasting money unnecessarily doing a detailed design on services that may be duplicated in another facility that we’ll already have up in our community.”
The RECREATE project could receive funding from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program in the fall, according to council.
Revitalization work on the Strathcona Gardens Recreation complex could begin in late 2020.
