Surrey council to consider $4.7-million contract for Newton synthetic turf field

A $4.7-million contract to design and install a synthetic turf field at the south end of Newton Athletic Park is coming before Surrey council for a vote on Monday. Laurie Cavan, the city’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, recommends in a corporate report that council award the work to Wilco Civil Inc. for $4,717,441.05, with a spending limit of $5,189,185.16.

Cavan noted that the park has a range of outdoor sport and recreation amenities, including 11 full-size soccer fields, five of which have synthetic turf.

On July 22, Surrey-Newton MP Sukh Dhaliwal and then-mayor Brenda Locke announced that Newton Athletic Park and Unwin Park had been earmarked for $27.5 million in improvements, with $11 million from the federal government and $16.5 million from the city.

Plans for Newton Athletic Park include the new artificial turf field, energy-efficient lighting around the walking track and new lighted tennis courts. Improvements at Unwin Park include a covered multi-sport court; a new fieldhouse with washrooms and change rooms; a youth amenity zone; new pickleball, basketball and tennis courts; a pump/bike track; a washroom at the north end; an off-leash dog area; more paths and parking; and improved park entrances.