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Update: City council approves $475K for new multi-sport courts

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities will donate $900,000 to the project to develop three multi-sport courts on the site of the existing tennis and basketball courts on Massey Drive.

Prince George city council approved a $475,000 budget to develop three new, multi-sport courts on the site of the current tennis and basketball courts on Massey Drive across from the fire hall.

According to a report to city council on Monday night, the city would be responsible for all the costs associated with preparing the site for construction. Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities has committed to covering the cost of building the courts, estimated to be $900,000.

“The new sport court will include one regulation size International Basketball Federation (FIBA) court, one flex court that includes tennis and basketball configurations and one racket sport court that would include tennis and pickleball options,” city director of civic operations Blake McIntosh wrote in the report. “Viewing and rest areas are covered with shade structures.”

A geotechnical report conducted by a contractor working for the city found that the site is suitable candidate for the project, McIntosh wrote.

“Jumpstart, through its contractor, provides equipment, materials and associated construction services to build the facility once the site has been developed and prepared,” he added. “The city’s contribution would involve preparing the site to the required standard for the court and provision of site security during the construction phase. Site preparation includes geotechnical investigation, civil design, earthworks, site grading, electrical servicing, accessibility improvements and associated costs to complete these works.”

The project is essentially a renewal of the existing courts on the site, McIntosh told city council on Monday. Included in the upgrade would be a new playing surface with an estimated 15-year life.

The existing courts are "still functioning, but ideally need to be refurbished," he added.

Typically Jumpstart only provides $500,000 for these types of projects, but in this case it has committed to provide more than $900,000, McIntosh said.

Under the proposed agreement, the city would be responsible for the ongoing maintenance of the facility once complete, and Jumpstart would own the naming rights for the park. What those operating costs would be and who is responsible if the project goes overbudget still need to be determined, he said.

"The decision to spend $475,000 to get a facility like this is an easy decision," Mayor Lyn Hall said.

Coun. Cori Ramsay said even if the playing surface only lasts 15 years, it makes sense to take advantage of Jumpstart's generosity.

"I think this is a smart investment for the city," Ramsay said. "It's still a great asset for the 15 years in the community, for a fraction of the cost."

Coun. Kyle Sampson agreed, saying the existing courts are looking pretty "tired" and well-used.

Coun. Susan Scott was the only member of council to vote against the project. Until council sees information about how the project will impact the city's operating cost, she could not support it, Scott said.

"Sometimes a gift is not a gift, but in this case I think it is," Coun. Terri McConnachie said.

Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion scheduled for 2023.