Sovereign Park in Coldstream (photo credit: Google)

By Pete McIntyre

District council

Update: Coldstream decides which park needs irrigation upgrade

May 15, 2024 | 7:00 AM

Coldstream council deferred the irrigation project in Sovereign Park by reallocating the funding for the project to the irrigation works for the sports fields in Coldstream Park.

When the Sovereign irrigation project is considered, additional trees in that park will be discussed.

Council also decided to leave the current designations of the parking spots in Sovereign Park in the lower parking as is, and directed an update to the signage to reflect proper accessibility terminology.

May 6, 2024 story

Coldstream to decide which park needs irrigation upgrade

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The plan to add shade trees at a Coldstream park may have to wait another year as there may be more urgent needs for the funding.

District staff are recommending council reallocate funding of up to $25,000 from the design of a new irrigation system at Sovereign Park, to the design of an irrigation system for the Coldstream Park sports fields.

Director of Infrastructure Services Janis Netzel said in a report to council, while there are a number of benefits to adding shade trees near the upper parking lot at Sovereign, the current layout of the irrigation system is quite restrictive near the parking lot, complicating the installation of shade trees.

“Administration is recommending that council reconsider the timeliness of this project, and the corresponding installation of shade trees at this time,” Netzel wrote.

Netzel added the sports fields at Coldstream Park, which include ball diamonds and a grassy area, pose a higher need for irrigation upgrades over Sovereign Park.

“The current irrigation system servicing the sport fields at Coldstream Park is quite damaged and underperforming. The fields are capable of hosting a variety of sports, but due to the poor irrigation, the turf is becoming dormant and the ground hard to keep in playing condition. By the end of summer the fields are unplayable.”

Netzel said upgrading the irrigation system at the sport fields will increase use and generate additional user fees through bookings over a much longer season.

The recommendation will be discussed by Coldstream council at its committee of the whole meeting May 6.

District staff is also recommending that council designate the parking stalls at Sovereign Park’s accessible parking lot as follows:

• One spot designated as ‘reserved parking for families with young children’
• Three spots designated as ‘accessible parking or maximum 15 minute drop-off/pick-up”