Paradise turns to sodding to expedite park work

By Mark Squibb

The Town of Paradise will be spending nearly $30,000 to expedite work on the Trenton Drive park.
This past summer, council awarded a contract to Callixas Service Ltd., in the amount of $339,186, including taxes, to develop a community space at 20 Trenton Drive, complete with asphalt walkway, picnic tables, a covered shelter, and multi-sport court.
Callixas partnered with Mills & Wright Landscape Architects on the design of the space.
Infrastructure lead councillor Erin Furlong, during the November 10 public council meeting, noted the original project scope included hydroseeding the green areas, but given the time of year, it was unlikely that hydroseed could be placed until at least 2026. Town staff made inquiries, and the option to lay sod was quoted in the amount of $24,530, plus HST.
The cost will push the project over the allocated Canada Community Building Fund (formerly the gas tax) amount and exceed the total budget by $27,465, plus HST.
Staff recommended submitting a revised application to accommodate the additional cost.
“I think it’s really important for us to remember the conversations we’ve had over the last few meetings about this, and how much difficulty we’ve had with hydroseed,” said Furlong. “Just to save us the trouble of having to do this in the future, if and when the hydro seed doesn’t take, I think we’re being proactive in doing it this way.”
Mayor Patrick Martin, meanwhile, had pointed out in an earlier meeting, that hydroseeding had been damaged elsewhere in town, and laying sod may be a better alternative.
Council voted unanimously to substitute sod for hydroseed in the amount of $28,209.