Cambridge Times
CAMBRIDGE – The city is in the process of establishing a Cambridge Sports Task Force that will assist in public outreach and community consultation to help develop a new multi-use sports complex.
Councillors Frank Monteiro and Shannon Adshade have been appointed as chair and vice-chair, respectively.
The task force currently consists of the two councillors and senior staff members, but will incorporate public participation.
Monteiro said the task force will evolve into something similar to the Old Post Office Steering Committee.
Community services commissioner Kent McVittie said an initial orientation session was conducted this week.
Meetings will be held monthly and open to the public.
He said the task force will likely hear from a consultant in March, bringing it up to speed on what’s been done and what the next steps may entail. Community consultation will follow in the spring.
McVittie had no news to share about the potential location of the new sportsplex.
Council directed staff to undertake land acquisition last year – a process that must be kept confidential until finalized, McVittie noted.
There is more than $6 million listed in this year’s capital budget for land acquisition and pre-design, mostly all of which would be covered by development charges and reserves.
The city’s long-range capital forecast lists $40 million for a multiplex in 2018, with $19 million being offset by development charges and $21 million coming from “other revenue”.
Monteiro said the city will be looking for funding from upper levels of government.
“We have a wish list, but we don’t know if we can do everything the public is asking for,” he said.
“Right now we’re talking about 163,000 square feet. Whether we need that, more or less, we don’t know yet, but we’re moving ahead.”
Monteiro said a wide range of community groups will be considered throughout the process.
Including land, site servicing, design and construction, the total cost of a new multi-sports complex is expected to be about $53 million.