Design contract for new complex approved

The new outdoor sports complex is inching closer and closer to being shovel-ready, according to Councillor Dave Mendicino. Monday night, City Council approved a $481,175 contract issued to John Georges Associates to design said sports complex. Mendicino said this is just the beginning of the entire process.

“From here we’ll expect to see in a few months the conceptual design of what the sports complex will look like,” Mendicino explained.

He also said Council will welcome public feedback, as they will be asking them for their input. As for when construction will begin; Mendicino said it’s in the not-too-distant-future.

“The goal is to start construction in April of 2010,” Mendicino stated.

The new sports complex will have three soccer fields -- one of which could be used for football as well -- and up to four baseball diamonds. Something Mendicino said could result in the termination of other sports fields in North Bay.

“We’ll absolutely need some of the other sports fields in the City – especially the major ones,” Mendicino said. “We will look at some of the undersized fields to see if they will be needed, but in all likelihood there would be some decommissioning.”

The current sports fields that are not in danger of being decommissioned are Veterans Park, Thompson Park and Lee Park.