Port Moody residents are getting a chance to weigh in on three concept plans for upgrading Inlet Park from gravel to artificial turf.
But whether the project ends up on council's to-do list will depend on public support and cost.
PoMo is already going into debt to fund construction of a new fire hall and upgrading Inlet Park to turf would also require a loan - between $3.7 million and $5.7 million depending on the size of the project and amenities.
The city's director of community services, Ron Higo, said he's hoping people will take a look at the concept plans and the cost, then make their views known through an online survey or an open house next Tuesday, Sept. 20.
"That information will be included in a report to council when we collect everything," Higo said, adding that the report could be ready this fall.
Depending on the timing of the report, the project could even be an election issue in the civic vote, slated for Nov. 19.
Four years have passed since Port Moody Soccer Association asked the city to look into the possibility of upgrading the gravel field, which is used for soccer and softball, and has a small parking lot and field house.
The group contributed $10,000 toward a $30,000 feasibility study conducted by R.F. Binnie and Associates Ltd., a municipal engineering and surveying company.
Three concept plans have been developed and refined after input at a community meeting earlier this year:
Option A proposes to expand the site slightly to 15,000 square metres, cover the gravel field with artificial turf, and add benches, a field house and 41 parking stalls at a cost of $3.7 million.
Option B proposes a 16,700 sq. m site with 81 parking stalls but a similar layout for the turf field to accommodate softball and soccer at a cost of $3.8 million.
Option C would add a second artificial turf field, provide room for 104 parking stalls and double the size of the site area from 13,300 sq. m now to 26,840 sq. m, requiring an greater encroachment onto the the park as well as an enhanced entrance at the intersection of Klahanie Drive and Murray Street; it would cost $5.7 million.
The tax impact would range from a 1% hike - a cost of about $16 per house - to 1.65%, or a cost of $25.58 per household.
Higo said other user groups, including the PoMo Soccer Association, are being invited to make their comments on the proposals
Links to the online survey as well as more details about the tax impact and the drawings are available on city's website, www.cityofportmoody.ca.
PoMo residents are welcome to find out more about the proposals at an open house in the Galleria at city hall on Tuesday, Sept. 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Currently, the city has 19 soccer pitches and 13 ball diamonds, including turf fields at Heritage Woods secondary school and behind the PoMo rec complex.
