City officials say a ball has been thrown for the new sports complex at Confederation Beach Park.

Landscape architectural services supervisor Lawrence Stasiuk said bidding is underway for the first phase of construction for the project.

“The tender was released on March 14 and will close on April 5,” he said.

The city is building the sports facility at the east end of the park on the former campground site.

“The intent is that these facilities will be built and ready for use in May of 2020" — Lawrence Stasiuk

The first stage will include the construction of a regulation-sized cricket field, multi-purpose field, 12 pickleball courts, a driveway and half of a planned parking lot.

The approximate cost of the work is $3.5 million.

Stasiuk said he believes the tender will be awarded quickly.

The hope is to get the successful contractor on site by the end of April, he said.

“We see that the components we’re scheduling to be finished by the end of November, but because of weather and other factors, there may be some smaller works that carry over to the spring,” Stasiuk said, adding the construction will not encumber public use of the trail along the waterfront. “The intent is that these facilities will be built and ready for use in May of 2020.”

To make way for the sports park, the central building on the old campground site was demolished in 2017.