Over the span of a workday, a new grass community playing field sprouted up at Lakewood elementary school last Thursday.

English Lawn crews rolled out dozens of thick Western turf grass bundles, methodically carpeting 62,000 square metres of earth. ItB次元官网网址檚 been a long time coming B次元官网网址� the site has been ready since last fall, but consistently rainy weather stalled laying turf.

The project is split between Langford and the Sooke School District, with each chipping in about $175,000, said Langford parks manger Mike Leskiw.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a steal of a deal B次元官网网址� at $350,000 the 95 by 65 metre field cost less than half then full asking price. Leskiw said companies donated or sold at-cost soil, irrigation piping and retaining wall blocks.

B次元官网网址淲e got a lot of great deals. The soil alone would have cost $400,000 but most was donated,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎 lot of products came for free or at-cost because companies recognize itB次元官网网址檚 for the community.B次元官网网址�

The English Lawn crew who laid the field just came off laying the turf at Empire Field in Vancouver. Using a rolling machine and hard labour, foreman Ricky Styles said they can build a field in less than a day, but they have to move fast. Turf has a short shelf life.

B次元官网网址淵ou have to be careful, itB次元官网网址檚 definitely a delicate process, especially laying it on sand,B次元官网网址� Styles said. B次元官网网址淏ut we can do this in a day.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭his is a really good example of the school district and City working together to save money and build something for the whole community,B次元官网网址� Leskiw remarked. B次元官网网址淎nd itB次元官网网址檚 the only full-sized field north of the highway.B次元官网网址�

editor@goldstreamgazette.com