By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl council this month approved the replacement of turf at the Mount Pearl Soccer Field at a cost of $1,000,243 exclusive of taxes.
Councillor Jim Locke moved that the City enter into a contract with FieldTurf USA Inc., for the removal of the existing surface and its replacement based on the proposal received through the CANOE Procurement Group of Canada and Sourcewell.
Locke said council has been working alongside the Mount Pearl Soccer Association to bring the project to fruition.
“They are very pleased with the work, and how council worked with them and supported them to bring this enhancement to an already amazing facility,” said Locke.
Mayor Dave Aker noted the contract was being awarded through a procurement program instead of the typical tendering process.
Recreation Director Jason Collins explained that neighbouring municipalities had taken advantage of CANOE when replacing their turf fields, and that FieldTurf, the company selected by CANOE to do the work, had laid the former Mount Pearl turf.
“The accountability of a bidding process is still there, it’s just that the CANOE program adds a certain layer to it,” concluded Aker.
Councillor Bill Antle asked what would happen to the old turf, as a resident had inquired after it.
Collins said there had been some discussion of that.
“There will be a public process is probably the safest thing to say at this point,” said Collins.
The turf, Collins added, has been deemed unfit for future use as a sports field, but could be used for landscaping.
Antle suggested that should the turf be sold, it would be better to sell it prior to being torn up. Collins added that neighbouring municipalities had scheduled days and times when people could come and collect their turf.
Council unanimously approved the purchase of the new turf.
