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VELOPMENT CORPORATION LTO,

Leisure Activities Committee Page 2
The City of Port Coquitiam : November 15, 1979

The one area in which we have had problems is in developing
a good, level grass surface on the soccer field and the baseball out-~
‘field. Our initial problem was likely due to improper grading and
inadequate care and maintenance during the early stages of growth. Our
subsequent repair efforts appear to compound the problem. However, the
most recent work following the guidelines set out by Mr. Bill Living-
stone, has been successful and a good grass surface has now been
developed.

During ‘our discussion, the city has expressed the concern
that there may be inadequate drainage which could limit the use of the
playing fields. To eliminate this concern, several solutions have been
considered, including the installation of a tile drain in the softball
outfield und the replacement of some of the soccer field topsoil with a
sand, sawdust mix. You have estimated the cost of this work to be over

$26,000.00.

We recognize that superior soccer fields are now built with a
deep sand and sawdust mix base, with the grass seeded therein completely
fertilizer fed. We would gladly have built the field using this recently
developed technique, had it been requested at the outset. The cost of
this type of field would not have been very different from the cost of
the present field. To change the construction. now to meet a new and
different standard, becomes very costly, as is verified by your figures.
It is also outside the scope of our responsibilities.

We feel that the park has now been constructed and completed
to the standard mutually envisioned by the Land Use Contract. With
continuing normal and regular maintenance, including lime and fertilizer
applications and periodic aeration, a good grass plaving Surface will be
maintained. We feel: we have reached the point where the city should
accept the park and take over its maintenance and return to us, the
balance of our bond. The boulevard work, adjacent to the south and west
end of the park, will be done as part of our Phase 3 program and is
covered by our Phase 3 bond.

An extensive underground drainage system is not a requirement
of the original specifications for the playing ficlds. The fields were
graded to permit surface drainage to the perimeters. The system works.
However, it is a slow system. We have explored an alternative means of
easing your concern on this point. Valley Farms of tibbotsford, who have
very sophisticated equipment for installing underground drainage systems,
have quoted prices for doing this work. under the soceer field and the
baseball diamond outfield. For your information, we have attached an
estimate of the cost for installation of a drainage system.