Lanark Drive to finally get its court

By Mark Squibb

The bids came in over budget, but money has been found from another pot to help pay for a basketball court at the Lanark Drive playground, says Paradise councillor Patrick Martin.

The tender call closed in September, and staff received four submissions. Modern Paving submitted the lowest tender quote $144,835, plus HST.

However, the Town had budgeted $100,639 for the work in this year’s budget, explained Martin, so the shortfall was covered by monies remaining in the Diane Whalen turf project.

Council conducted an e-mail poll on Over October 2 and 3 seeking approval to award the contract. It ratified that approval during the October 15 public meeting.

Construction was scheduled to begin that same week. To accommodate construction, the playground swings were removed.

Construction is expected to take five weeks.

Councillor Glen Carew said it was disappointing the project was overbudget, but noted the Town did go to market and received a number of quotes.

Plans for the basketball court were made shortly after a number of residents across Paradise went to the media with complaints that the Town had ordered them to remove portable basketball nets from public streets.

At the time, council buckled down on the orders, citing safety concerns and Town policy.