Port Moody council candidates rank redevelopment of the Inlet Park soccer field as their top priority or at least in the top three, according to a survey by the Port Moody Soccer Club.
The survey asked candidates where they ranked redevelopment of Inlet Park's athletic field among capital project priorities, whether they would be willing to enhance some of the improvements approved in May 2012, what funding model and timeline they would support, and what support they would provide in moving the project forward.
All candidates answered that the soccer field redevelopment would be their number one priority or that it would be among the top three, along with the library expansion and rebuilding or renovating Kyle Centre (candidate Tom Bell did not respond to the survey).
Candidates also suggested funding could come from federal and provincial grants, development levies and corporate sponsorships.
Candidate Callan Morrison, who sits on the parks and recreation commission, also suggested the redevelopment could happen in stages to avoid burdening taxpayers with the entire $3.7-million to $5.7-million cost at once.
Incumbent Rick Glumac said the project is "long overdue" while fellow incumbents Gerry Nuttall and Diana Dilworth noted that council had prioritized one capital project during their term and, with the new fire hall completed, it was time to re-prioritize projects in the five-year capital plan.
Mayoral candidate Gaetan Royer said it would be his top priority, with a project manager appointed and funding allocated for completion of a detailed engineering study in 2015.
Mayor Mike Clay said council is working on establishing a ranked list for all the city's capital projects but the soccer field would be his top priority, along with an enhanced library. He also said the plans should be revisited to see how newly available properties might fit in, and that funding needs to be secured before moving the project forward.
Two years ago, council supported the Inlet Park redevelopment project with a single field on the western edge of the site with no encroachment into the forest on the eastern end. The plan represented a phased approach to the redevelopment, beginning with building a soccer field and baseball diamond for $2.7 million. Adding another soccer field, field house, batting cage and 104 parking stalls would add another $3 million to the price tag.
To see the full list of candidates' responses visit www.portmoodysoccer.com.
