Construction of the new outdoor sports complex in Saugeen Shores is slated to begin later this year.
The draft capital budget includes the first phase of the Lamont Pit sports complex at the south end of Port Elgin, with $1.65 million earmarked for the construction of four ball diamonds, with four more planned by 2023.
But Deputy Mayor Don Matheson said with the municipality already short on ball diamonds and more growth expected, he would like to see the entire project built at once.
"We have over a thousand men and women who play slo-pitch, and they've capped that for the last couple of years, that number could grow to about 1,500, so diamonds use has to go up," said Matheson. "That's why I'm saying let's put all the diamonds together, phase one and phase two, get a minimum of six, hopefully, eight diamonds, and that will take care of [the shortage]."
The draft budget also includes $165,000 for consultation and design, and Matheson pointed out an ad-hoc committee will be formed to begin fundraising efforts.
If the entire project were to be built at once, Matheson said it would give council the flexibility to decommission and sell or re-purpose some of the existing diamonds.
Matheson cited Lakeview Park, which sits in the Port Elgin Municipal Tourist Camp, suggesting the ball diamond could be converted into additional trailer spaces.
