The City of Humboldt has begun operations at Centennial Park on the ground of the Uniplex.

Currently, construction crews are prepping the sit to install drainage that would allow storm water to clear the grounds, rather than see it in the middle, generally outside the ball diamonds.

With that, there is a shuffling of the diamonds, including replacing the former Diamond 2.

Director of Community and Leisure Services for the city, Darrell Lessmeister, says that they have had this idea in mind for years.

"We've had a Centennial Park plan in place since 2009," he explained. "What we are doing right now is getting prepared to put in a soccer and football field. Also to get some proper drainage and parking infront of the facility."

The drainage, which will be done in the northeast part of the grounds, is being worked on by Thomcat Management Ltd out of Prince Albert.

It is expected that the drainage phase of the rejuvenated grounds will be completed by mid-October.

Once that is complete, Lessmeister says the process moves to bringing back the ball diamond.

"The next step is to get those diamonds re-developed and in order to do that we need a drainage there. So we have applied for a Canada 150 grant and hopefully we are successful."

Work on the new diamond will begin in 2017 if the grant application is approved. The city plans to build two diamonds - one that is 350 feet for Midget games and another at 300 feet for Bantam/Peewee games.

The new diamonds would then be constructed on the west side of the grounds, near the skate park.

Two new ball diamonds will occupy the southwest corner of Centennial Park.

Lessmeister says that in finalizing the re-design of the grounds, they are still seeking agreements.

"Of course, there is a significant amount of dollars involved and we are looking for partnerships with the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments, and also partnerships through the community."

The city has budgeted the two diamonds and football field at just over $1.2-million, with the drainage work being around $1-million.

Although work on the grounds is coming later than the city had hoped, Lessmeister thanked the community for their support.

"We appreciate everybody's patience. It's a long time coming and we were hoping we could get this a lot faster, but like a lot of things, it is all dependent on resources and funding to get those things accomplished."