Centre Wellington council and South Ridge Developments have reached a park irrigation agreement with advantages for each.
Recreation Director Andy Goldie told the township’s committee of the whole recently that the South Ridge development just east of Bridge Street in Elora includes the development of a 10.5 acre community park. The park master plan developed as part of the application, includes:
– a full sized soccer field;
– two small sized soccer fields that can be converted to one medium field;
– a children’s play equipment area;
– a trail;
– parking lot; and
– washroom building.
Funding has been allocated over the next few years in the township’s capital budget.
Goldie said the developer is continuing to construct the various servicing requirements for the subdivision, including park grading, seeding, and fencing. He hoped the work will be completed by early summer.
Goldie said in the 2009 capital budget, council approved $40,000 in funding to install the first phase of an irrigation system for the soccer fields. That new system will allow a more effective field maintenance program to support the growing needs of soccer.
He added during talks with the developer on the construction, discussions indicated it would be advantageous to have the irrigation system installed while the park is being graded and seeded. The developer is willing to undertake the installation of the irrigation system to township requirements and within approved funding allocations in its current site grading and landscaping contract.
Goldie’s report stated staff agreed by having the developer install the system, the turf seed being planted by the developer will have better growth and not require the re-digging up of the field once the park is turned over to the township to install the irrigation system. Further, contractors are already mobilized and economies of scale and efficiencies are evident.
Staff asked approval from council to amend the subdivision agreement to undertake the irrigation system to township specification and budget allocations. That work would be included in the original developer securities involved in the South Ridge development for timely completion and high quality workmanship.
After Goldie presented his report, councillor Walt Visser asked, “So, both the developer and the township profit?”
Goldie replied, “Yes.”
The committee then approved the proposal. Council ratified that decision on June 1.
