Crews expect five hard surface sports courts for tennis and pickle ball use at Jack Bagley Community Park in Nanoose Bay to open in September. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

big cheque

Feds announce sizable grant to complete overhaul of Nanoose Bay park

Jul 20, 2022 | 5:37 AM

NANOOSE BAY — In the face of elevated construction costs the Regional District of Nanaimo secured $500,000 to complete upgrades to Jack Bagley Community Park (JBCP).

The federal funding allows for a washroom building with storage space and adjoining covered picnic area to be constructed as part of existing work underway to build five hard surface sports courts.

The RDN’s manager of parks services Yann Gagnon said the newly announced money should result in further construction for the shovel ready project in the near future.

“We anticipate the building to be tendered this fall in 2022 and constructed in early 2023,” Gagnon told NanaimoNewsNOW.

An irrigation system will be hooked into the property, which will include service to the existing multi-use sports field and incoming washroom facility.

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The RDN initially wanted to construct the entire project at once, however the tender was pulled last fall because the bids came in well over budget.

Gagnon said the federal grant came at a great time with construction costs persistently high.

“It makes a huge difference, it’s the difference between completing the project and not.”

Gagnon said the entire project will cost in the range of $2 million.

Investments made in JBCP features courts for tennis and pickle ball, which Gagnon expects will open in September.

A paved plaza, accessibility features and picnic tables are also included in redeveloping JBCP, which is accessible via Northwest Bay Rd. and Powder Point Rd.

Federal cabinet minister Harjit Sajjan announced a $500,000 grant to complete upgrades at Jack Bagley Community Park during a news conference on Tuesday, July 19. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The funding was announced by minister Harjit Sajjan at a news conference in Nanoose Bay on Tuesday, July 19.

Sajjan, who’s responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada portfolio, toured the property alongside numerous RDN representatives.

A bulk of the project is funded by the RDN’s Electoral Area E Community Works Fund.

An enhanced JBCP complements a vastly improved accessible playground unveiled at nearby Nanoose Bay Elementary School this past April.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes