Juan de Fuca Electoral Area Director Mike Hicks will be bringing forward an item at the Electoral Area Services Committee on Thursday that might see a new artificial turf playing field in Sooke.
Hicks wants to use one year’s gas tax funding to help pay for the artificial turf field at Fred Milne Park. Hicks is looking to use $300,000 towards the estimated $1-million cost of the field.
“The whole thing is subject to the District of Sooke, service clubs and sports organizations getting together to raise the other $700,000,” said Hicks.
“I’ve spoken to the Sooke Community Association and they are excited about putting it on their property.”
Hicks said his constituents should know that he has saved more than $350,000 from last year’s gas tax allocation.
“I feel very comfortable that my constituents will support me and the children of the Juan de Fuca and Sooke. I’m happy to take the leadership role and get it done. It’s a pretty neat thing,” said Hicks.
For the past seven months Hicks has been meeting with the community association, SEAPARC manager Steve Knoke, school trustees and Sooke Mayor Wendal Milne.
The item will need to go before the EAS committee and then before the board of the Capital Regional District in October.
There has been an ongoing issue with the playing fields in Sooke and the cancelled games because of the inability to use the fields when it rains.
“We won’t miss much of the season because of rain,” said Hicks. “This is wonderful for Juan de Fuca and Sooke.
The offer would stand for five years and the artificial turf field could be it place by the end of 2019 if everything goes through as envisioned. SEAPARC will facilitate the project.