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Track upgrade remains stalled

Running track at Ballenas Secondary called an eyesore

School board trustee Ross Milligan wants his counterparts at School Distirct 69 (Qualicum) to tour the existing track at Ballenas Secondary.


He suggests that, and more pride in the facility, will lead to improvements being made.


His comments Tuesday night, however, were chastised by trustee Eve Flynn, who said past school boards — of which she was a part — made decisions that sent resources elsewhere than to track improvements at the school.


Milligan was commenting on ongoing, informal, talks between school district, municipal and user group representatives about creating a sports complex of some kind in the area. The goal, he stated, would be to come up with a track or facility that could host bigger events.


“The track is poorly maintained at BSS,” he said, noting the field area is “ugly.”


He suggested the district look into what it would cost to fix it up.


“Now is not the time to pay $2.5 million for a whole new sports complex,” he added, referring to a 2009 report that recommended options, including upgrading existing facilities, or building a new complex outright.


When asked, Milligan pointed out there’s no timeline to any of this, adding he’s making the comments to see if there’s any interest or desire to proceed.


Trustee Barry Kurland said people need deep pockets to make it happen, and the district should ask other levels of government for input — eventually.


Milligan said a trustee tour of the BSS track would be a good place to start.