Design concepts, project presentation to be shown at public info session for Chapples Park turf facility

Residents in Thunder Bay, Ont. will have the opportunity to find out more information and give feedback on the design concepts of the proposed permanent ChapplesPark Indoor Turf Facility.

• 'Once we have it, they will come': Thunder Bay council says new soccer complex a priority

Officials from the Community Services Department will be hosting a public information and feedback session on Wednesday, April 25 at 6:30-8 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Centre.

• Thunder Bay to spend additional $25Kon indoor soccer facility business case

"[The] public info and feedback session is targetingperhaps parents, or grandparents, interested citizens who would like to learn more about a proposed indoor turf facility," Community Services general manager, Kelly Roberston, told CBCNews.

She said the Wednesday night's session is intended for people who don't belong to any organized groupsbut have an interest in the indoor turf facility project and want to learn more about it.

Suggestions wanted

"We are seeking feedback from residents on a proposed design for the facility, any improvement that they might recommend," Robertson said, adding the city also wants to hear "suggestions about other uses for the facility ... such as event hosting [or] tradeshows."

The project is still in its early stages, and nothing has been finalized. Tonight's meeting will see design concepts for the building and site presented, and a facilitated table discussion will also take place.

Soccer field, running track part of plan

"[The facility]would accommodate an indoor FIFA-sized turf facility ... and then surrounding that indoor turf surface, there is a design to accommodate a two lane, circular track and then there is also some accommodation for retractable seating," Roberston said.

Other features include locker rooms, offices, and a lounge area. Other options, such as a daycare area, have also been discussed.

More work needs to be done before the project moves forward, Robertson said. Funding has not been secured, and furtherresearch on the park's drainage system, parking spots, traffic and other issues still needs to take place.

HoweverRobertson said the public feedback received during this information session will be incorporated into a report to council, which is scheduled to be presentedin June 2018.