Sooke council will release $270,500 to the Sooke turf field project, which is has begun construction.
The moneys in question will go to the Sooke Comunity Association, once an agreement is in place with the District of Sooke. The gas tax funds, unlike the playing field funds, require an agreement, noted district financial officer Brent Blackhall.
“With the playing field funds, we can get things going a lot quicker with the rest of the funds,” he said.
Details of the contract aren’t yet available, though much of it will revolve around how funds are released, at what stage, how district knows the project proceeds through to completion, and that it meets all bylaws and regulations, similar to contracts with the Sooke Region Tourism Association and the Sooke Region Historical Society.
“It covers both our interests and the funds themselves, and just protects all parties in that regard,” said Mayor Maja Tait, adding a decision will be made by council once the contract becomes clear.
Council already approved $400,000 for the turf field in March 2016 to come from the playing field reserve fund, and the following month, it approved an additional $300,000 from the Capital Regional District.
Preparation of the turf field site began in early April, while work on the north sideline wall began on May 1. Surface preparation is expected to begin mid-May and go through until early June, while fencing, lights and poles are set to be in place by the end of the month.
Grading, drainage and sidewalks start in July and continue until mid-August, with remaining fencing and storage area to be built late August. At this point, remaining will be the turf itself and the sundries, which are expected to be installed throughout September.