REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: June 5, 2023 Report No. P&R-23-006
TO: Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Steve Knoke, Director Parks & Recreation
SUBJECT:
Title
Esquimalt High Turf Field Community Project End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council support in principle the development of a community artificial turf field located at Esquimalt High by directing staff to complete an options analysis report and feasibility study including
a) Draft agreements for construction and operations with SD61 for Council consideration; and
b) A draft business case including options for funding, construction and annual operation.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Fees and Charges Bylaw, No. 3080
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
Engaged & Healthy Community
Strong Relationships and Partnerships
BACKGROUND:
A group of community volunteers has dedicated over 10 years planning, supporting, and fundraising for the creation of an all-weather community artificial turf field at Esquimalt High. The group known as the Esquimalt Turf-Field Collective (ETC) includes representatives from Songhees Nation, School District #61 (SD 61), Gorge Soccer, James Bay Athletic Association Rugby (JBAA Rugby) and the Township of Esquimalt (TOE). The ETC has raised approximately $1 million to date for turf field construction. The concept is that a turf field on SD61 land at Esquimalt High would be constructed by the School District and then operated and maintained by the Township of Esquimalt. The ETC applied for a $3.3M grant via the Community, Culture and Recreation stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. Unfortunately, the grant application was not successful. The level of effort to complete this grant application was very large and a significant amount of work was completed by the ETC and all the collective's partners in pursuit of funds. On February 27, 2023 Council received a letter from the ETC requesting funding from the Township to complete the turf field project...
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