Repairing popular running track will cost more than double initial estimate in Mississauga

Plans to resurface a well-used running track in Mississauga’s north end will cost $870,000 — well more than double the initial estimate, city officials say.

A report to be discussed at Wednesday’s City of Mississauga general committee meeting notes all-weather resurfacing work to be completed on the Courtneypark Athletic Fields track was initially pegged at $335,000.

However, once the job went out for bidding, the lowest proposal among three bids that came back was $535,000 in excess of the original budget, the report states.

City staff is now looking for council approval to get the additional cash needed from a reserve account set up when the city and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board partnered to build the joint-use sports facility in 2006.

The popular sports complex is located at 600 Courtneypark Dr. W., next to St. Marcellinus Secondary School, in the Mavis Road/Highway 401 area.

The city helps operate a number of similar joint-use facilities with both school boards in the region. Such agreements have proven successful in the past two decades or so.

Nearing 20 years of age, the running track at the Courtneypark Drive complex was due for a makeover.

“The Courtneypark shared-use all-weather track facility has reached end of life,” Jodi Robillos, the city’s commissioner of community services, wrote in her report.

The report also noted that repair/replacement costs will be funded via the Courtneypark Track Reserve account.

Once council approves the transfer of funds, the contract will be awarded and resurfacing work can begin.

City officials say the Courtneypark sports complex has been well-used since it hosted its first games and track meets in 2006.

“Since that time, the artificial turf football field and track have been extremely successful and well-used by both the school and (larger) community,” the report states.