Earth is on the move at Blackburn Park to prepare for installation of a new playing field.
Heavy machinery was in play at the park Tuesday, May 27, with the start of construction of a synthetic turf field.
"This exciting project is a partnership between the City of Salmon Arm and the Shuswap Youth Soccer Association (SYSA)," the city announced in a May 27 post on social media. "The new all-weather turf will allow more games, a longer playing season, and accommodate various age groups with two smaller fields or one larger configuration."
The work ahead involves excavation, gravel compaction, drainage, and turf installation, with construction crews and heavy equipment accessing the site from 5th Street SW.
The project is expected to be complete by mid-September with work occurring weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
At its May 12 meeting, city council awarded the project to Lessard Excavating for $850,176.78 plus taxes. The project is expected to cost $1 million, with $700,000 being funded by the city and the remainder coming from SYSA.