Cornwall council members are crossing their fingers that the province will kick in a little more funding to help replace the turf at the Terry Fox Sports Complex.
Council voted unanimously during this month’s meeting to apply for $100,000 from the provincial community revitalization program to help install a new artificial turf, with the overall project having a price tag of about $892,400, including HST.
The Terry Fox Sports Complex artificial turf rehabilitation program involves the replacement of and a slight expansion to the soccer turf as well as repairs to a portion of the football turf.
Coun. Elaine Barnes, who chairs the town’s finance committee, said council has offered reduced rates to facility users this year with the project expected to be undertaken between mid-July to mid-August.
“The whole structural part underneath is the problem. It’s the same problem UPEI had where it’s almost like bowing,” said Barnes. “Our turf fields have a longer lifespan because they’re not used as much as UPEI… but it’s to the point now where we need to do it.”
The town is planning to host a national tournament this fall, which has also added to the need to get the turf rehabilitated this summer.
Barnes said council has kept the turf’s replacement in mind for several years.
“We knew actually it was coming up, so we tried to budget it and look for money wherever we can find it.”
Town CAO Kevin Coady said apart from the $100,000 application, the town has previously received funds for about half the project, $426,250, through the “municipal strategic component” of the town’s gas tax funding.
“That helps tremendously,” said Coady.
The remainder of the funding will come through the town’s gas tax allotment and other town funds.
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