The residents of Cornell have been waiting a very long time for the large Cornell Community Park (CCP) to be completed. As many residents know, the original target date for Phase 1, was scheduled for fall of this year (2019). A number of factors have contributed to the delays.
Most of the elements presented at the 2016 community meeting are still in the design for the CCP. Slight changes are needed to the Sports areas, that will accommodate league play as outlined in the Recreation and Integrated Leisure Master Plan Update report. The Sports areas will include 2 lit baseball diamonds; 2 lit soccer pitches; 4 lit tennis/pickle ball courts; increased and maximized off street parking, neighbourhood play areas and washroom facilities. These changes will benefit both the residents and participants. I include the conceptual master plan for the Cornell Community Park which will also include a pavilion, a shelter, a butterfly garden with interpretive trail, water play, playgrounds and more.
To reduce parking impacts on surrounding residential areas, a redesign was necessary. As well, some of the soil located in the centre of the site must be removed. These two factors together with the changes to the sports areas have delayed the start of full construction, and the revised date for completion is now estimated to be closer to 2021.
This is a regrettable situation and one that came to light at the end of the last council session in 2018. As your new Councillor, I am disappointed to have to share this news with you. I have been in several meetings since beginning my term in December, insisting on an accelerated time line. I am confident I will be able to share better dates in the near future.
Cornell Community Dog Park
To offset the delay, I offer you positive news on the long-awaited Dog Park which will begin construction this summer (2019). Dog owners have been very patient these past years for an area pets can run off leash. The construction of the dog park area will include a maintenance building for the community park including washrooms. Construction funding for this project was approved in the recently completed 2019 Budget, and staff are currently preparing the tender for this project.