Holyrood council shines light on ballfield plans

By Mark Squibb

Ballfield lighting is still in the works for the field in Holyrood, say councillors, despite it not being included in a recent funding request.
At the town’s February 6 council meting, recreation chairperson and councillor Sadie King noted that a request for quotes for phase one work on the softball field had been released with a closing date of February 23.
Phase one will include the civil work only, including field extension and fence removal and replacement. Other aspects of the upgrade, such as lighting, will be presented as a separate request for proposals due to the nature of the funding.
Deputy Mayor Michele Woodford, in an attempt to quell what she said was some confusion around town, added the lights didn’t qualify for this round of funding.
“A lot of people who use that field want the lighting up there,” said Woodford. “And sometime, when we’re going out looking for funding, it’s specific to certain things that are done that are outlined in that funding program. And for this funding program, the lighting, unfortunately, didn’t qualify. So, just to make it clear to everyone out there, it’s not that we don’t want the lighting included, but for this first phase, with the funding that’s available, it’s for that piece of it, and in phase 2, we will continue to look for funding programs for the lighting. Just to clear that up.”
Mayor Gary Goobie noted the funding is provided through the federal government’s gas tax program.
Councillor Steve Windsor, meanwhile, applauded Woodford’s clarification of the matter.
“It’s really important for the residents to understand that we all want that, at the right time, with the right funding opportunity to minimize the cost to the taxpayers of Holyrood,” said Windsor.