Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante announced this morning the projects accepted for the Outdoor Sports Facilities Program (OSP). The Outremont borough's proposal to redo the Beaubien Park sports area and add new facilities has received financial support of more than $2.5M.
"We are finally going to create a real sports zone in Beaubien Park thanks to the help of the City of Montreal and the efforts of our administration. After years of effort, we will finally be able to rebuild the much-needed soccer (multi-sport) and basketball fields. We also want to make the natural slide mound safer for toddlers, create an outdoor training area and provide petanque courts," said Outremont Mayor Philippe Tomlinson.
"Since the beginning of our mandate, we have been working to improve our parks and increase their use by people of all ages. After the chalets in Joyce, Outremont and Pratt parks, the playgrounds and water games in Pierre-Dansereau, the renovation of our tennis courts and the major improvement of John F. Kennedy Park (greening, pool, wading pool, playground), it is now Beaubien Park's turn to get a makeover. This is excellent news for Outremont families, teenagers and our sports partners," said Valérie Patreau, Joseph-Beaubien Councillor and head of the Parks, Sports and Environment Committee.
Finally, sports fields that are up to standards
"Our young and old will be able to count on a soccer field with a new surface, modern and safe lighting and clearance areas that meet the standards of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in order to hold official matches. At the request of the citizens who had the opportunity to express themselves during various public consultations, the sports area will be multi-sport, accessible, inclusive and four-season. Since our arrival, we have been eager to make these improvements and I am very proud that we are now able to do so," added Philippe Tomlinson.
Last June, the borough awarded a contract to Les Services EXP inc. for professional services in landscape architecture and in engineering for the rehabilitation and redevelopment of the sports and recreational facilities at Beaubien Park in Outremont, for an amount of over $250,000. This mandate also included a major greening of the sports area in order to reduce the heat island effects of this part of the park.
The multi-sport facilities will also include a standard basketball court and two areas for 3-on-3 or free play (4 baskets in total). The acrylic-finished concrete slab will house a skating rink in the winter.
The Beaubien Park slide will be improved to become more accessible: The slope will be secured, a configuration for toddlers will be added and the ascent will be easier and clearly marked. The configuration of the space will be integrated into the identity of the park in the spirit of coherent development.
The Beaubien Park upgrade will be made possible through the Outdoor Sports Facilities Program (OSP). The City of Montreal announced this morning that more than $55 million will go towards improving 30 Montreal sports facilities in 17 boroughs under this program as well as the Montreal Aquatic Program.
