A $12.3 million plan -- to be completed in three phases -- has been outlined for Norm Perry Park.
Quantum Recreation Lead Planner Jason Simituk presented concept drawings to Sarnia council on Monday, which keep both the artificial and natural fields, but alter their directions due to the sun.
"One of the main things felt from the community engagement, is that rotating the fields from east/west orientation to north/south is very important," said Simituk. "We'd end up moving the artificial turf to the north side of the field to allow that ability to, again, change that orientation."
New bleachers are incorporated at both fields and the public use building would be condensed to make room for rugby on the north side of the park.
"The other key thing is looking at community use. Allowing things like a playground, picnic areas, fitness area and also potentially looking at some multi-use sports courts that can be utilized for pickleball or those exciting type of opportunities," he said.
Parking concerns are also addressed in the plans.
"We have two different parking lots, one on the north side and one on the south side -- that will basically allow you to have just over 200 parking stalls, along with a sport team bus loading zone," said Simituk.
He said the project would be completed over three years.
"The first phase would be artificial turf, the second phase would be natural turf, third phase would be the buildings and these other opportunities like the playground and the sport courts that are there," said Simituk.
The plans are to be posted to Speak Up Sarnia for final comments, with a final report expected to be presented to Sarnia council in May or June.
Councillors applauded the group that worked on the plans.
Simituk said once finalized, the plans will give the city and user groups the ability to seek upper tier grant funding and donations toward the project.
"The community really loves [this park]," he said. "So, I don't feel that it would be an issue to help raise funds. And, again, getting it to the point of having this type of concept plan completed... this is considered a shovel ready project. Which again, when the province has dollars ready to start spending and is asking for shovel ready projects, you say, 'Hey! We have this one!'"