News Municipal Sports turf
City of Thorold reluctant to sell park to school board for installation of artificial turf field

A new artificial turf sports field at Thorold Secondary School is dependent upon the local school board’s acquisition of a city-owned park, but city hall isn’t eager to sell the land.

The District School Board of Niagara is eyeing McMillan Park as an ideal site for the field, citing its location near the downtown core makes it accessible to everyone. The sale would also provide the City of Thorold with some cash flow, the school’s principal says.

She added the school board also has the knowledge and expertise to construct the field.

Although a couple of city councillors are in agreement, the city isn’t eager to sell the parkland and would rather install a new field itself at potentially one of nine parks under consideration.

The viability of an artificial turf field is dependent upon several criteria, including land size, topography and drainage, environmental impact and accessibility.

A report is to be presented to city hall on May 28.