Burnaby city council has approved spending for Burnaby Central Secondary School's new athletic facilities.
At the July 25 council meeting, council approved initial spending of $2.83 million from the annual capital budget for the first phase of the project, with a total $3.17 million from the capital reserves for the facilities.
The city received $1 million from the Recreation Infrastructure Canada grant program for part of the project.
The total cost is $5.9 million, with the Burnaby school district contributing as well, according to a report from the city's parks department.
The project includes a lit artificial turf field, a rubberized eight-lane track, jumping pits, wheelchair-accessible washrooms, equipment storage space, an irrigated grass play field and amenities such as seating, water fountains, pathways and parking.
The project is part of the replacement of the entire high school, which is being rebuilt to comply with seismic standards.
The new school is being built in three phases and final completion is expected by October 2012.
The facilities at Burnaby Central are jointly used by the city as well as the students, the report stated.
