By Andrew de Souza

Council OKs field house irrigation

May 17, 2011 | 1:00 PM

City council has approved an irrigation system for the Alfred Jenkins Field House outdoor soccer pitches and park space.

On Monday, council approved a $172,000 budget for the project that would tie into and feed off of existing storm water retention ponds.

The end goal is to have two Class A fields, similar to those available at the Kinsmen and Prime Minister Parks, which are maintained to withstand heavy use.

While it was approved, it was not a unanimous decision. Councillors Charlene Miller, Lee Atkinson and Cheryl Ring voted against it.

“Yes, there are two new fields there and it would be nice to use them and it would be great if we could use the ponds that have been created there,” Atkinson said.

Court proceedings

Drugs and weapons bust in Stanley Mission, results in two year sentence

15h ago

health care

La Loche recipient of new portable blood analyzer, printer kit

16h ago

Crime

Dangerous driving report at Red Wing, leads to arrest of man with gun

19h ago

“But I have to look at it and say is it an immediate necessity at this point in time or is it one of those things that would be nice to have because we’d like all the options at our new facility. To me I’m thinking it can probably wait.”

Mayor Jim Scarrow said he defended the idea because it was a multi-year endeavor that needed to start as soon as possible.

“It takes a significant amount of time to do all the work that needs to be done,” he said.

“I think there are good reasons to proceed and the financial resources are there so let’s complete the project.”

Coun. Darren Whitehead agreed that now was the time since waiting would only incur a higher cost.

“Do it now so we’re not going to be digging it up later,” he said.

“It will cost more when you do that and you’ve got your field down for a long period of time while you’re doing it.”

Despite the dissenting votes, the proposal passed through council.

City director of community services Greg Zeeben said work would begin as soon as tenders could be completed and that the irrigation should be operational for next year.

According to the city, using the storm water retention ponds will save around $1.7 million in water utility costs.

adesouza@panow.com