Burke Mountain Athletic Park to open tonight

Yep, that tracks.

While the rec centre might still be a few years away, the Burke Mountain Athletic Park is set to open with a ribbon-cutting this evening.

The event is set to include mini golf, a ride-on train, try-it sessions with sports organizations, light refreshments, and speeches from elected officials.

The 8.9-acre park includes artificial turf field, running track, and four tennis courts.

The artificial turf field is outfitted with LED lights and has lines set up for soccer, field hockey and field lacrosse, according to the design. The six-lane rubberized 400-metre running track is designed to include an eight-lane 100-metre straightaway.

A free shuttle from Minnekhada Middle School to the park is set to run every 20 minutes from 4:15 to 7:15 p.m. while the Burke Mountain school is under construction.

Between operating and asset replacement costs, the city will likely pay $750,000 a year – an approximately 0.33 percent tax increase, according to a previous assessment from Coun. Dennis Marsden.

The city and school district acquired the 23-acre property more than a decade ago.

A little more than 60 percent of the site, 14.2 acres, is owned by the school district and earmarked for a high school, middle school and a grass sports field. The school district’s portion is also slated to include a parking lot with 60 stalls available for public use outside of school hours.

Friday’s event is scheduled to run from 5 to 7 p.m.