The Mayor of Paradise says council was aware of the cost of specialized sand needed to host beach volleyball competition as part of the 2025 Canada Summer Games.

Taxpayers in the growing town are shocked over the $360,000 price tag which includes the supply of manufactured sand by Shaw Group in Nova Scotia, and its shipment to Newfoundland.

Mayor Dan Bobbett says the cost of the sand, which has to meet certain specifications and can’t simply be acquired anywhere, was something council was well aware of before the expenditure was approved.

He told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly each decision made by council involves an examination of all the details before moving forward.

The town is now looking at possible funding opportunities to help with the expense.

Beach volleyball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country and Mayor Bobbett believes the town’s four courts and the specialized sand will prove to be a great legacy facility.