Replacing aging and unsafe lighting towers at three sports fields is Woolwich’s top priority as it looks for federal funding for needed improvements.
Under the terms of the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund (CIIF), a list of four priorities was approved this week by township council.
Light standards at parks in Conestogo, Heidelberg and Elmira’s Lions Park are in poor shape – some have even collapsed – and require replacement, director of recreation and facilities Karen Makela said Tuesday night. Along with new towers, the township plans to replace some of the lights and perimeter fencing.
Second on Makela’s list is a plan to replace the roof and some steel cladding on the Woolwich Township Arena in St. Jacobs.
Numbers three and four involve the replacement of light standards, lamps and fencing at Snyder Park in St. Jacobs and Industrial Park in Elmira, respectively.
The total cost of all four projects is pegged at just over $1 million. Money from the CIIF program would cover up to 50 per cent of the expenses, though Makela said it would be overly optimistic to expect all of the projects to be approved.
The most pressing issues – the first two items on the list – have an estimated cost of $331,000. The township has about half that amount in its budget already, as the engineering work needed for the Conestogo and Elmira parks is accounted for in 2012. The 2013 capital budget includes money for one tower replacement in Lion’s Park. In the event the federal money comes through, the budget has room to move up the township’s share of the funding, she explained.
Councillors endorsed the list, though Coun. Allan Poffenroth pushed for the arena roof project to be the top priority, worried about the possibility of a collapse.
The problem at the arena, however, is not structural, and no safety issues have been identified, Makela responded, noting that the lighting towers do present a real risk.
Council’s motion gives the township time to finalize the grant request in time for the Aug. 24 deadline.
