Lakes District Secondary School (LDSS) field improvements started last week, resulting in the closing of the area to the public.
Lee Strizich, School District 91 area coordinator said the top layer of the field will be removed, a drain pipe for improved drainage during spring will be installed under the field, irrigation will be added and the area will be hydra-seeded [hydra-seeding is a planting process that utilizes a slurry of seed and mulch and is applied by spraying]
“There will also be new gravel laid on the track,” he said.
During the process, the entire area will be fenced off and closed to the public, while the lower field will remain open and will continue to be used by the school and the Burns Lake Youth Soccer Club.
The improved field is expected to reopen some time next spring, however the public will be able to use the track again in July after construction has finished. Temporary fencing will seal off the field to protect the new grass and give it time to take root.
Both the Village of Burns Lake and School District 91 are partnering in the approximate $230,000 project, of which $95,000 has been allocated by the village from the Dick Nourse estate.
According to Stephanie Beerling, village director of corporate services, the village public works crew is assisting School District 91 with the project.
“Up to three public works crew members have been working on the site as required and will continue operating equipment when needed, until the project is completed,” Beerling said.
The Nourse Legacy committee had previously recommended that funds from the Nourse estate be used for the project and the recommendation was endorsed by mayor and council.
Strizich said School District 91 is working towards upgrading all high school fields in the district.
“Nechako Valley Secondary School has been completed and Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School is next after LDSS,” he added.
“This work has been planned for about a year between the Village of Burns Lake, School District 91 and the Burns Lake Youth Soccer Club,” Strizich said, adding that once the improvements are complete, the field will be crowned properly for drainage and will be a level playing surface.”