The City of Timmins is moving forward with plans for the revitalization of Leo Del Villano Park. Council has awarded the design contract to J.L Richards & Associates Limited in the amount of $325,142.
The revitalization project includes two major components: the construction of a new, fully accessible washroom facility and the development of a regulation-size cricket field. Both improvements are essential to meet the community’s growing recreational needs and increase the park’s usability for residents and visitors.
“The current washroom facility at the park is outdated and no longer meets modern standards for accessibility or functionality,” said Steph Palmateer, Director of Community Services and City Clerk. It’s more cost effective to construct a new washroom building that is designed to be fully accessible and better equipped to serve increased park usage. The City will repurpose the existing structure as a cold storage facility to support park operations.”
Recognizing the rapid growth of cricket in Timmins—particularly among youth and newcomer communities—the project includes the development of a regulation-size cricket field. The current cricket area does not meet official size requirements, which restricts the ability to host league matches or organized tournaments. A properly sized field will not only meet this increasing demand but also support inclusive recreation and create opportunities for regional cricket events and support local economy through sports tourism.
“These upgrades represent a meaningful investment in the health, vitality, and inclusiveness of our community spaces,” said Mayor Michelle Boileau, “There’s an unspoken race between our Northern Ontario large urban cities to build the first regulation cricket pitch. We intend to hit a six with this park and field development.”
The proposed improvements to Leo Del Villano Park align with the City’s recreation master plan and the broader goal to invest in recreational spaces as community destination hubs with unique amenities that support accessibility and inclusion.
See the City’s updated Recreation Master Plan at: https://www.timmins.ca/our_services/recreation_service
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