One, two, three strikes and the old irrigation system at Coldstream Park is out.
District council voted to replace the park's irrigation system at a cost of slightly more than $335,000, which is under the $520,000 budget for the project. The cost includes a 10 per cent contingency fund and GST.
The irrigation system, council learned in a report from infrastructure manager Janis Netzel, has been "plagued with operational issues for several years."
There were two softball fields, with the south field being a grass diamond with dirt bases that hasn't been used at all due to the irrigation challenges.
"The decrepit irrigation system challenges the parks crew to maintain the fields in playing conditions, making the north ball field the focus for maintenance," said Netzel.
The fields are used for youth ball programs, and Netzel's report said it's expected that if the surface was improved, demands for bookings would come forward for additional league play.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of October.
During construction, access to the ball fields will be closed, but most of the parking area, washrooms, and playground space will remain open for the duration of the project.
Work will not affect the Greater Vernon Open bocce tournament, held annually in the park the last Saturday of July. The event is a major fundraiser for local charities.
