Neighbourhood concerns about light, noise and traffic will be addressed before an all-weather playing field is installed at the new Duchess Park, according to city staff.
On Monday city council unanimously approved the plan for the 3.91-hectare park, which will be built of the former site of Duchess Park secondary school.
The total cost of constructing the park is estimated at $2.7 million, however only $300,000 has been allocated by the city this year.
"We have an idea of where we want to go, but it is going to take some time," Mayor Dan Rogers said.
One of the central features of the park will be an all-weather playing field - an American-size football field with a synthetic surface and overhead lighting to allow use from early spring to late fall. The smaller, American-style field is used in youth football.
"I love the plan... but the one primary concern I've heard was the all-weather field," coun. Shari Green said.
At the public open house in November, and survey results from June, 2009 and November, showed residents were concerned about the impact of overhead lighting for the field, noise from sporting events and traffic, Green said.
"The people that would use it would have to likely drive there, increasing traffic volumes and noise," one survey participant wrote. "The stadium lights that would be used to light the field would also be disruptive to the locals."
Currently the park has an unlit, natural-turf field used by students at the new Duchess Park secondary school.
"I wonder if it's possible to include a traffic impact study, and a noise and light pollution study before adopting the plan as is," coun. Debora Munoz said.
City acting director of planning and development Dan Milburn said it could take five to 10 years to build the $1.5 million all-weather playing field.
"Given the all-weather sports field could be many years down the road, given the funding situation, there would be ample time to do a traffic study," Milburn said.
Park planner Laurie-Ann Kosec said all playing fields associated with schools close at 10 p.m., so the lights would shut off at that time every night.
Modern sports lighting is far more efficient that the older models seen at places like Masich Place Stadium, Kosec added. Light is directed with reflective surfaces directly onto the playing field.
"It's like having a reading lamp on your desk, instead of a lamp without a shade,"she said. "They have less than 10 per cent of of the [light] spill as a street light."
In addition to the playing field, the park plan calls for the development of a fenced off-leash dog park, wheelchair-accessible playground, paved and gravel trails, outdoor amphitheater, basketball/tennis courts, picnic area and mini bike park.
"This year we'll be planting trees, installing trails, fencing the dog park and installing the first phase of the playground," Kosec said.
The city is working with organizations like the Prince George Cycling Club, Prince George School District and city accessibility advisory committee to find funding partners for the remaining park features.
"From my perspective, this is a fantastic development for the Crescents neighbourhood," coun. Cameron Stolz said.
The full plan can be found on the city's website at http://princegeorge.ca.
