**CITY OF TIMMINS NEWS RELEASE**

The Hollinger Park is undergoing a major facelift, with many upgrades planned to take place over the next few years, and the City is asking for the public’s patience while the popular park sees changes and improvements.

The City is committed to providing regular updates as work progresses, and encourages those with questions or concerns to contact the City of Timmins directly.

For the week of Sept.17-21:
– More fill will be stockpiled and spread. The clean fill is being transported from Pump Station 4. The material was tested last year and will be tested again by a third party in order to practice an abundance of caution;
– The tender for the splash pad was approved by Council and a work schedule will be developed with the contractor;
– The electrical upgrade contract was approved by Council and a work schedule will be developed with the contractor;
– Work on the grandstands continues by Praztek Construction. The overhead roof beams are being sandblasted and painted;
– Topsoil will begin to be delivered and spread on the south fields.

Background:
Due to a report issued regarding soil contamination, significant fill is required to be added to the park. This reality provided an opportunity for the redesign of the open-space area, leading to a five-year phased plan being developed.

A conceptual design was prepared by Dillon Consulting in 2018 and the city has also secured the services of an engineering firm to complete a detailed lot grading and drainage plan to accommodate the soil that is to be added to the site.

Additional improvements planned in the short-term include a central plaza/meeting place, a permanent stage to host music and entertainment and the addition of a new maintenance shed to also accommodate electrical upgrades.

The complete 2016 Hollinger Park Soil Sampling report is available through the City’s website:
http://www.timmins.ca/download/reports_and_publications/Soil_Sampling_Program_Hollinger_Park.pdf