The Town of Edson is having to scale back its plans for the revitalization of Vision Park.
The Town was getting ready to launch Phase 1 of the plan, which originally was to include rebuilding seven ball diamonds, improving drainage, and adding additional amenities like batting cages and new bleachers.
When the Town put the project out to tender, all the project estimates came back significantly higher than expected. The increased costs are related to building materials, general construction, and administration costs.
Administration presented the scaled-down Phase 1 plan to Edson town council at their June 21 meeting. Rather than rebuild seven ball diamonds, they will be rebuilding three and building two new ones. Some landscaping will still be done to improve drainage, and a new parking lot will be built near the rebuilt diamonds. Other items such as the batting cages will be saved for a later phase.
The scaled back plan was created in conjunction with Edson Minor Ball, and Edson Mixed Slo-Pitch. There will still be 16 usable ball diamonds in the park, which meets their needs and is still large enough to host tournaments.
Councillor Greg Pasychny raised the alarm about the parking lot. According to Pasychny, there is not enough room for a parking lot in Phase 1, and it is too close to the diamonds.
“People cannot park there. At the end of the diamond, people will be hit with balls. It is just not a good location for a parking lot,” said Pasychny. “And I am speaking with over a decade of doing tournaments in that place; that is just a terrible place for a parking lot.”
Mayor Kevin Zahara concurred with Pasychny.
“I would put batting cages there myself, personally, because I think there is a bigger desire for that, and people will figure out where to park if they need to,” said Zahara.
Administration stated Vision Park still has 125,000 square feet of parking space, and the proposed Phase 1 parking lot was not essential.
Council approved the scaled back Phase 1 plan, with the parking lot removed. It is hoped construction can begin at the end of July.
