The Cowichan Sportsplex has asked the City of Duncan for $25,000 to assist in upgrades to its aging track and field venue and artificial turf field.
Catherine Brandon, executive director of the sports facility, told councillors at the council meeting on Oct. 17 that the Sportsplex executive is offering Duncan an “opportunity that we can’t let pass our community by.”
She said the Sportsplex has submitted a funding request of $500,000 from the Canada 150 Infrastructure Program, established in recognition of the country’s upcoming 150th birthday, that has a $150-million budget to help fund sports and recreation infrastructure in Canadian communities.
The Sportsplex has estimated the total costs for the upgrades to be approximately $1.2 million.
The Sportsplex’s track and field venue is eight years old and needs a new surface in preparation for the 2018 BC Summer Games that will be held in Cowichan, and the artificial-turf field is 10 years old and is worn down.
Brandon has already approached the Municipality of North Cowichan to ask for $175,000 towards the upgrades earlier this month.
North Cowichan’s council decided it would wait until a decision is made on the federal funding for the project, and if successful, the municipality will approach the province about funding a portion of the project.
Brandon told Duncan’s council that the Chesterfield Sports Society, the non-profit organization that runs the Sportsplex, is planning to invest $450,000 in the costs of the upgrades, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District will be asked for $75,000.
Talitha Soldera, Duncan’s finance director, said council will make a decision on the funding request at its meeting on Nov. 4.
