Work is well underway for the redevelopment of Masich Place Stadium.
Council heard Monday that four tenders have been awarded, one for equipment and three for construction, said Dave Dyer, manager of engineering and public works, adding that the project is under budget.
Improvements to Masich Place will be done this summer with completion in the fall of 2017.
The facility improvements will include:
- new synthetic turf infield and shock pad that meets the FIFA regulation sized soccer field
- standards (65m x 100m) and a Canadian Football League (CFL) sized football field;
- permanent throwing and jumping facilities that meet IAAF standards;
- a dual coloured synthetic running track and throws/jumps surfacing areas;
- exterior painting of the grandstand structure; and
- new landscaping with fencing, irrigation, pathways and berm area.
Construction contracts have been awarded to Twin Rivers Developments Ltd. for civil work in the amount of $2,618,138.55, Les Surfaces Securitaires Carpell Inc. for the synthetic turf in the amount of $642,714.00, Ocean Marker Sport Surfaces Ltd. for synthetic track surfacing in the amount of $588,170.50 and the supply of field fitment equipment to JumpStart Athletics and Habitat Systems Incorporated for a combined value of $130,976.15. The total of these contracts are within the overall project budget of $4,225,000 for the field, track, throwing and jumping facilities and landscaping portion of the improvements. The City of Prince George will also be securing contracted services to paint the exterior of the Masich Place grandstand. The budget for the exterior painting is $150,000.
“This is a fantastic project and fully support it, said Mayor Lyn Hall. “I’m looking forward to other organizations, like UNBC soccer, being able to use it.”
However, with a $4.2 million price tag he was concerned that the actual grandstand will only receive façade work.
“We have a multi-million facility that is going to be attractive to not only provincial but national events, and then we don’t do anything with what I would consider a very rundown grandstand,” he said, asking staff to come back in the 2018 budget for some possible upgrades to the grandstand and some accessibility issues.
The stadium will be closed this Friday
The city will be hosting an open house on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at Masich Place Stadium.
