Okotoks’ sports fields will be getting an upgrade this spring as a result of a substantial federal grant.

Eight projects totaling nearly $1 million will proceed this spring and summer with the Town of Okotoks contributing $621,495 and the federal government chipping in $305,000.

The first project will be completion of a soccer field and baseball diamond at the Westmount School site on southwest Okotoks. The Town has met with user groups to avoid scheduling conflicts while construction is underway.

“That will be done and we will do it in coordination with our user’s schedules so we are disrupting them as little as possible,” said Susan Laurin, community services manager with the Town of Okotoks.

Under federal guidelines, construction has to wrap up by March 2011, which means the Town will have to break ground as soon as weather warms up.

The project with the biggest price tag is an enlargement and rehabilitation of three soccer fields at Kinsmen Park. The total cost of the Kinsmen Park project should reach $335,000 when finished.

“We are taking the three mini-fields and we’re going to redevelop that so we can put in one game field,” said Laurin.

Laurin said the field could still function as three separate fields if needed.

Some fields within Okotoks were originally built at what Laurin calls a standard level. The Town wants to improve the fields so they meet competitive standards. This will put Okotoks on the map and allow user groups to be successful when they apply to hold events such as provincial championships.

“Primarily it was to provide quality fields for our residents and our residents to use,” said Laurin of the upgrades.

All of the projects to be completed were recommended in the Okotoks Outdoor Facilities Master Plan, including a $201,000 rehabilitation of the baseball diamond at Big Rock School and installing a new shale diamond.

The soccer fields at St. Mary’s School will also get a $50,250 face-lift.

Bushes will be installed in Howard Park to prevent people from cutting across the park and causing damage.

Various sites around town will receive new bleachers and washrooms will be built at the tennis courts on Waldron Ave. The cost of these projects will total $15,400.

Laurin also said drainage at Littler Field and the skateboard park will be upgraded.

The upgrades at Westmount School offer the least potential for disruption, therefore, will be the first to start.

“There are things we can do, the fencing repairs, fairly quickly without disrupting the fields,” said Laurin.

Okotoks received $305,000 in grants from the Recreation Infrastructure Canada program and will combine it with $621,495 the Town already set aside to cover the cost of the projects. Laurin said she was pleasantly surprised the Town received the full amount because when they had not heard anything by mid-September she had lost hope of receiving any funds.

“I was very surprised and very happy when we found out in December,” said Laurin.

rnorthrop@okotoks.greatwest.ca

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