Copious bubbling and tearing of the Bob Dailey Stadium track membrane is prompting the city to apply for a provincial grant to fix the problem.
The project would cost $700,000 to do and the city would like to submit an application for funding before the end of December.
The funding would come from the provincial Community Recreation Grant, which underwrites 80 per cent of one community project to a maximum of $400,000.
The remaining 20 per cent of the project would be paid from the Parks and Recreation capital reserve.
The track is 20 years old, Parks and Recreation director Scott Kenny said. It consists of a rubber membrane over an asphalt base.
The membrane has become worn throughout the years and allows water to penetrate it. Subsequently, the membrane separates from the asphalt during the winter and then blisters, or bubbles in the spring and summer.
“This has been a long time in coming – a lot of people use that track,” Coun. Cindy Solda said.
During the question and answer period, Port Alberni resident Neil Anderson asked why preventative maintenance was not done on the track to keep bubbling at bay.
Kenny replied that there was enough money for basic upkeep of the track but not enough money for the substantive maintenance that is now required.
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