The plush green grass of Oak Bay HighB次元官网网址檚 newest field remains unblemished as it remains unused since the school opened in 2015.
The closure is due to the fact that the drainage at the field was, in the opinion of the district, deficient and did not meet the requirements of the project Statement of Requirements. Patches of green over the summer on a non-watered field illustrated the issue, says Mark Walsh, Secretary-Treasurer, School District No. 61.
B次元官网网址淲e immediately noted it wasnB次元官网网址檛 draining properly and at that point we started having discussions,B次元官网网址� Walsh says. B次元官网网址淓ssentially we never agreed to take control of it because we werenB次元官网网址檛 satisfied with it.B次元官网网址�
It hasnB次元官网网址檛 affected the Oak Bay High rugby programB次元官网网址檚 ability to play, though theyB次元官网网址檝e been forced to find alternative fields, he says. With the new pitch out of action, the field inside the track behind the school has seen a lot more action over the last two years.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 an immediate impact on that field unfortunately,B次元官网网址� Walsh said. ItB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渘ot a high quality fieldB次元官网网址� and was intended as a third option.
Physical education programs arenB次元官网网址檛 as impacted because of the second new field, the all-weather field adjacent to Cadboro Bay Road.
B次元官网网址淚n a way the all-weather field has alleviated some of the pressures because you can use it at any time,B次元官网网址� Walsh said.
Since it isnB次元官网网址檛 in use, the district hasnB次元官网网址檛 addressed community access of the new rugby pitch.
While the drainage issue can be fixed, the cost is expected to be significant. The district and builder couldnB次元官网网址檛 come to an agreement on the fix, so the school district made a claim through its bonding agent.
B次元官网网址淲e have our submission in to our insurer at this point and weB次元官网网址檙e waiting to hear back from them,B次元官网网址� Walsh said.
While they expect news in the next few weeks, work wouldnB次元官网网址檛 start in the winter. He expects a remediation wouldnB次元官网网址檛 begin until May 2018.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
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