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Iron Bridge looks to build multi-purpose sports court for $200K

Phase 1 of the project could cost $100,000 and would consist of the court’s construction
Moose Jaw City Hall
Moose Jaw City Hall (Shutterstock)

With the Iron Bridge subdivision growing rapidly, a newly formed community association wants to spend $200,000 to construct a year-round multi-purpose sports court to benefit the community.

Representatives of the Iron Bridge Community Association (IBCA) — which formed this past August — spoke to city council during the Jan. 25 executive committee meeting about conducting a community fundraising campaign for the project, which they believe would enhance the outdoor recreational amenities of the subdivision.

The reps also asked that their project be designated as a municipal project until Dec. 31, 2024, which would allow city hall to provide charitable donation receipts to anyone who contributes.  

Iron Bridge is a country residential subdivision that encompasses 34 hectares (85 acres) in the community’s northwest. About 70 per cent of the development’s 91 lots have already been sold, according to a council report.

Subdivision project

The community association wants to build a sports court that is 15.24 metres by 30.48 metres in size on 0.40 hectares (0.988 acres), IBCA spokesman Mike Daniel said. The group wants the municipality to lease this land to the IBCA for 25 years, while it also wants the city to limit access to the proposed venue to membership only; the association would manage the memberships similar to the tennis club and retain the revenues.   

Phase 1 of the project could cost $100,000 and would consist of the court’s construction, including provisions for volleyball, basketball, tennis, pickleball, badminton and other activities. This phase would also include fencing and electrical lighting for evening use.

Phase 2 would cost $50,000 and add an ice surface with hockey boards and water connections for skating and hockey. A shed for equipment storage would also be included.

Phase 3 would cost $50,000 and consist of a community gazebo and outdoor fireplaces to enhance events.

Construction would begin — likely in early 2021 — once the funding is in place.

“We believe that the proposal presents an attractive opportunity for the city (as) it provides a recreation facility that adds to the existing sports facilities offered in the city,” Daniel said, “and it provides an enhancement to the city parks and to the local area, with the potential to stimulate growth in the area, and improve the city’s tax base.”

Council unanimously approved a recommendation to designate the initiative as a municipal project during the executive committee meeting. It also authorized city administration to review the proposed project budget — including construction plans — and provide a further report for council to consider before the start of construction, including a draft licence agreement.

The recommendation must be approved at an upcoming regular meeting for it to become official.

Council discussion

The association would determine which particular sport should receive priority based on interest, Daniel told Coun. Dawn Luhning. If different sports start to clash, the association will create a schedule to manage activities during the day and night.

“This is what community’s all about,” Luhning said, “and what the heart of Moose Jaw is all about … .”

The venue will be fenced and accessible to members only, Daniel told Coun. Crystal Froese. However, the association is open to letting schools or sports groups use the court for little or no cost.

Daniel added that only curbside parking is available based on how Iron Bridge was built. He didn’t think there would be much extra traffic, especially if most members live in the subdivision.

“I … have a bit of a concern with parking not being incorporated in this, considering we’re also looking at pickleball. Pickleball is the hugely popular sport,” chuckled Froese. “We might find we got more users than residents in Iron Bridge who want to access it.”

There shouldn’t be any major parking issues with four players per game and one-hour games, said parks director Derek Blais. However, there might be problems if there were more courts and more games.   

Agreement stipulation

The association and the municipality will look after different areas of maintenance, as per the agreement.

The Iron Bridge Community Association will fully cover construction costs and future improvements; provide maintenance; provide the necessary equipment and supplies; register as a non-profit corporation; maintain liability, tenant, and content insurance; and sell advertising and naming rights with city approval.

The City of Moose Jaw will provide a long-term lease of roughly one acre of municipal reserve land for the sports venue; accept the court as a municipal asset; and cover the water and electricity costs in exchange for ownership of the court and accessibility for municipal program hours.

The next executive committee meeting is Monday, Feb. 1.

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