The exterior of Saint John City Hall is pictured in this file photo. (Staff photo)
Saint John will reopen some recreational fields this summer after all.
City council found funds to reopen a limited number of ball parks and soccer fields after determining the financial shortfall due to COVID-19 was lower than previously expected.
Commissioner of Transportation and Environment Michael Hugenholtz said there are a few factors which will play into determining which fields will reopen in 2020.
“We’re going to look at the demand and what fields are people really looking to play on,” Hugenholtz said. “We’re also going to look at the cost of getting these up to a playable level of service.”
At an earlier council meeting, community groups had been invited to pitch in to maintain the fields, but that will no longer be required under the new plan.
The city’s District Field Hubs like Shamrock Park, Allison Grounds, Forest Hills, and Memorial Field are being looked at as possible sites for this summer.
Hugenholtz says these hub fields are an appealing option because they can serve a high-number of the population.
“The cost of maintenance is far less, we’re able to offer additional amenities such as lights, washroom and change room facilities, etc.,” Hugenholtz said.
The city is also looking to re-open dog parks and the remaining unopened playgrounds shortly.
City manager John Collin said many playgrounds will be able to open by the end of the week, and provincial requirements have changed so that the city is not required to regularly sanitize the play structures, as they had been.
“The driving factor is to make sure we have (safety) signage in place, the grass has been mowed, and any debris on the playgrounds have been cleared up,” he said.
