FALL RIVER: The group behind the Fall River Track & Turf Project remains optimistic that their proposal will one day become reality, despite what appears to be a setback at HRM Regional Council recently.
During discussions on the staff report, which recommended council forgo leading the project, councillors voted and passed a modified motion that council supported to ensure North Suburban HRM is included in the field planning strategy. That strategy is expected to be released later in 2021.
Barry Cox, speaking on behalf of the committee behind the turf field, said it is full steam ahead for the non-profit organization.
“There are people with expertise in planning, construction, engineering, logistics and communications at the table lead by a great president,” said Cox. “There is a huge infrastructure deficit in playing fields and recreation investment from Beaver Bank to Oldham. The need is there.
“A North Suburban HRM Track and Turf can engage so many residents and even help our small businesses by bringing events to the local area.”
Cox said that Councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon did a great job proposing a modified motion/
“It means HRM staff will work with our new non-profit organization on the project.,” he said. “It was an enormous step forward for council to be promised the report by the end of 2021 by staff.
“We’re very positive about the outcome knowing the financial pressures the pandemic has placed on HRM.”
Deagle Gammon said the Track and Turf Field would serve more then just Lockview High, but a wider community stretching from Beaver Bank to Enfield HRM.
“The interpretation of the motion was that our project would be prioritized over other field application that is already on the books,” said Deagle Gammon in an interview at a Fall River coffee shop on March 12. “In that interpretation, I conceded that the next option that council discussed was we split the motion.
“At the end of the day the first part of the motion for HRM to forgo leading the project was defeated, but the second part was approved that it would be considered as part of the Playing Field Strategy.”
She agrees it was a compromise.
“I think it was the best result we could get,” she said. “Because of timing, if HRM took the lead they would have had to put aside $1.16 million in this budget year and that was not the intent of the community group. We were going after federal funding, but by the time we got the staff report that money had already been slotted to other projects.”
The staff report also gave the committee more information they can use going forward, said Deagle Gammon.
“Now we know where to start again,” she said.
Both MLA Bill Horne and MP Darrell Samson have been supportive, which is a major asset, said Cox.
“Councillors and staff discussed that any project with substantial funding commitments would be constructively deliberated if they fit the strategy,” said Cox. “We are understanding their processes while at same time educating them on how a lack of transit or the need to have a car is a barrier to our residents accessing turf facilities elsewhere.
“North Suburban HRM has a large population and is growing rapidly.”
Samson said he’s pleased to see such a hard-working community group fighting to address the needs of the suburban region of the HRM.
“I have and will continue to put my full support behind this project and can’t wait to see the numerous benefits an all-weather Track and Turf Field will bring to the communities of Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook and the rest of suburban HRM,” he said.
Horne said the requirement for a field is something he has heard time and time again.
“This recreation project would benefit more than 10 sport organizations and support the recreation community,” said Horne. “As MLA, I believe this project would certainly benefit our many sport organizations and build community spirit through residents being able to train and compete in their own school community.”
Cox said the first need the group needs is need a substantive estimate to give their government partners reliable data to access funding. Lindsay Construction has been amazing and are performing a Class B estimate to give us that material.
“We are committed to providing the most detailed information possible to mitigate any project risks,” he said. “Once we know our true cost and funding we can go from there.”
He said there are many moving parts.
“We are building a proper business case, confirming costs, researching all weather field projects across N.S., reaching out to stakeholders in the community for feedback and of course nailing down the formal support commitments,” he said. “We want to be shovel ready to capitalize on any doors that open to funding.”