Just thought you might want to read this …
Here is the email I sent today to the City, the Mayor and anyone else that I felt like bitching to. The initial response was that they are trying to have a faster timeline than July. I’m not optimistic yet!
Good day all. I am very disgruntled to hear that the work on the Guelph Lake diamond has not been put into motion. My last conversation was in February and I was told the council approved the finances for repair. Why was the initial work not started then?
From what I am told, it is not anticipated in being started until sometime in May with a ‘possible’ completion of July or later. From what I understand, it is going out to tender for one month and then after a decision is made, the work will be started.
Why has the city not been putting this in motion from the initial approval? I am not even sure why this would take so long to complete when we were initially told that there is only 1 company that does this kind of work in the area. Why would it need to go to tender then if that is the case?
It is extremely unfortunate for our league (and others that use this facility) to be without this diamond for another unknown amount of time. We have requested since May 2008 that something be done about it and now almost a year later after being told that the money was approved and the fix will be done, we are now being told that it will be even longer.
I will await the backlash of responses from our team reps when I inform them that this diamond has been put out of commission again. I understand it is only the night games affected but that is a big part of our season. If there were other ‘suitable’ city diamonds available for an adult league, it may not be an issue either but we are forced to use a below standard diamonds and have been given the impression that the adult leagues do not matter as much as the youth leagues and we are not a priority for any repair, restoration or expansion.
We have expanded our league, year after year and anticipated our league to continue to expand over the next 2 to 3 years but without some reassurance of available diamonds and suitable facilities, I do not see this as being an advisable venture.
For a City that advertises that it ‘Makes a Difference’ I’m not sure that the difference is a positive one (from my perspective anyway). I realize that I am just one person, but I am voicing an opinion for a league of 500 plus members of your city who are currently unhappy with the loss of part of last year’s season and will be further angered by this latest news.
Thank you for your time, I hope that there is a way that this project can be expedited in a quicker manner to try and appease the leagues who value it’s operation.
This was their secondary response after talking amongst themselves …
I’d like to advise we have taken and will continue to take every necessary step to expedite the replacement of the lighting at Guelph Lake’s GG4 ball diamond.
Capital funding for this project was not secured until budget approval in late December 2008. The lighting specifications and engineered-approved drawings were received on Wednesday, March 11th and assembled by Purchasing for posting on the City’s website before the close of business on Friday, March 13th. The formal bidding process closes on April 16th and subject to Purchasing’s assistance and receipt of necessary insurance and performance bond documentation from the successful bidder, we will issue a P.O. The spun concrete poles require lead time to manufacture; hence the proposed completion date of early July. We will pursue an earlier completion and inspection, if at all possible. I’m not sure who suggested erroneously only one vendor can complete the work as there are several that will travel to perform this specialized work in a park environment, and we are looking forward to some competitive bids recognizing the current market.
It is regrettable the facility will not be retrofitted in time for the start of the season; however, we are making every effort to have the lights installed at the earliest opportunity and I’m sure you’ll be impressed with the finished product.
