Public meeting Sept. 24 on athletic field improvements for Holy Cross Secondary

Public input sought for artificial turf field expected to be installed by next fall

The public is invited to attend a meeting to learn more about the proposed enhancements to the athletic field at Holy Cross Secondary School in Peterborough’s west end.

The City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board are partnering on the project to upgrade the outdoor sports field for both community and school use.

The proposed upgrades include the conversion of the natural turf sport field to an artificial turf field with night lighting.

Other enhancements include improving the track and field features such as pole vault, long jump and resurfacing the eightlane track surrounding the field. Accessibility will also be improved through the addition of pathways and upgraded spectator seating.

“This is an exciting project that will provide improved sports and recreation facilities for the Peterborough community as well as PVNCCDSB students,” stated Allan Seabrooke, commissioner, community services with the city.

“We want to hear from the community in order to best understand their priorities.”

Galen Eagle, communications manager with the Catholic school board, said the field project is “win-win” for both the school board and the city.

The enhancements will give the board and city leverage to host large-scale competitions, he said.

The project also aligns with the board’s mandate to allow the community to use school facilities, he said.

“All of our schools are open for community use of school prospects,” said Eagle, adding priority is normally given to youthfocused events.

“But if the city is looking to host a larger (competition), it makes Peterborough more attractive.”

The public will get a chance to learn more about the project and provide input at a drop-in information session on Sept. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the boardroom at the Catholic Education Centre at 1355 Lansdowne St. W.

Gillian Barnes, project manager facilities and planning initiatives with the city, said the information will be gathered and a detailed design will be drawn up this fall.

If everything goes smoothly the project will be tendered early next year and should be completed by the fall of 2019, she said.

The project is projected to cost around $3.7 million which will be split by the city and the Catholic board.

However, city councillors must still agree to put aside the money for construction in the 2019 city budget.