After analyzing the cost of installing two artificial turf fields and a surfaced track with synthetic turf design and maintenance expert Doug Wournell on Tuesday (April 12), District of Squamish council appeared to have a better grasp on what costs what.
So much so, in fact, that Coun. Corinne Lonsdale made a motion to allocate the remaining $610,000 of Sports Legacy Fund money to the turfing one soccer field. No one seconded the motion because council already made a motion at a previous council meeting to hear from the proponents of all three remaining proposals.
Even Coun. Paul Lalli, a self-proclaimed soccer field supporter, didnt second the motion, saying it would be unfair.
I cant do it because weve already asked the other groups to come present, he said.
Lonsdales decision was mostly based on Wournells arguments.
In the past six months, Wournell designed and appraised two projects of a similar nature for both the District of Squamish and the Squamish Soccer Association (SSA), leading to conflicting prices, confusion among councillors and concern from the SSA.
We spent a lot of time and energy working on this project and that information that the district received absolutely blew us out of the water, SSA member Tanya Babuin said after the discrepancy was realized.
We obviously dont want them to turf us out of the whole Legacy Funds decision because its become a $10 million project.
Wournell explained the discrepancy to SSA members a month ago, but council members still had no official explanation, which is why Wournell attended council.
Although similar on the surface, there are some costly differences included in the District of Squamish report, Wournell said.
The track increased to two long/triple jump runways and the synthetic turf field was enlarged to handle Canadian football. The addition of a concrete walkway around the track, a new lighting system and several other additions contributed to the discrepancy.
Wournell said the cost to complete one artificial turf field with no fencing, no new lighting and no walkway would be $1 million. He assured council the price was accurate, as he had re-confirmed the price Tuesday morning.
He also explained that the price is so good because the site is already prepared and the geotechnical assessment completed.
This site is pretty much just build on top, he said.
Wournell also explained that despite artificial turf being another all-weather surface, there were several advantages, particularly for youth and those over 40.
The truth is that all-weather fields are a punishment, he said, explaining that the pad installed beneath the synthetic turf works as a shock absorber and also provides an attractive venue for tournament play.
Wournell recommended council move quickly to get the best price.
Youre sitting in a unique market looking at $41 or $42 per square metre, which is an amazing price, he said.
Its also early in the year and everyone wants to get the first project so the optimal time for the best price is between now and the end of May.
This is what led Lonsdale to put the motion on the floor.
What Im hearing is that to get the best pricing, we need to be prepared to move forward now, she said.
I would be prepared to put the remainder of the Legacy Funds money towards turfing one all-weather field.
When no one seconded the motion, Coun. Rob Kirkham made a motion to include $400,000 in the capital borrowing budget which would allow for an opportunity to make a decision to help complete this. Coun. Bryan Raiser seconded it.
Coun. Doug Race was not prepared to support adding to the 2011 capital borrowing amount and wasnt confident in the numbers presented.
Mayor Greg Gardner said he was supportive of the project but saw no reason to move so quickly.
Theres no doubt in my mind that this is a priority I think its the strongest application and its very likely the Legacy Funds will be allocated to this project, said Gardner.
But time is not critical and there has to be a perception of objectivity.
Kirkhams motion was carried with Race and Gardner opposed. The SSA members in council chambers said they were thrilled at the level of support for the project and would begin researching potential grants.
