Nanaimo receives funding for two new artificial turf fields
Federal and Provincial grants add to investment at Harewood Centennial Park
NEWS RELEASE - Distributed April 21, 2022 11:35 AM
Summary
The Governments of Canada and British Columbia included Nanaimo’s Harewood Centennial Park turf fields in their newly-announced infrastructure grants to support inclusive, resilient communities.
The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is funding 57 projects across B.C. Under the Community, Culture and Recreation stream of the program, the Harewood project, estimated to cost $4,971,332, will receive $750,737 from federal funding, $2,528,091 from provincial funding and $1,192,504 from the City of Nanaimo. In addition, Nanaimo Ladysmith School Board will contribute $500,000.
The need for additional artificial turf fields was identified through the Sportsfield Strategy and the Harewood Centennial Park Improvement Plan.
New amenities covered by the funding includes:
- Two artificial turf fields that can accommodate a variety of sports
- Field lighting
- Covered benches for players and officials
- Areas for spectator seating
The funding is welcome news for Nanaimo where high demand for fields - especially turf fields – is driven by a growing population and increase in participation in sports.
While many City fields suffer from overuse, artificial turf fields provide year-round access and higher hours of use that increase playing opportunities to the various sports groups in the community. With Harewood Centennial Park located near a high school, there will be excellent year-round access to physical education classes and school sports teams.
Harewood Centennial Park has been the site of many improvements over the last few years and has become a popular destination park for families in the City. Recent upgrades include playground enhancements, construction of an outdoor covered sports facility, trailway additions and the building of a skateboard park.
Although still in the design phase, construction is expected to begin in April 2023 with completion by the end of August 2023.
Link to Strategic Plan: Providing enhancements to our play spaces supports a livable community.
Key Points
- The artificial turf project is estimated to cost $4,971,332 with funding coming from federal, provincial governments, the City of Nanaimo and Nanaimo Ladysmith School District.
- Construction is expected to begin in April 2023 with completion in August 2023.
- Joint federal, provincial and municipal funding through the Investing in Canada plan will support 57 projects across British Columbia. Projects include new and upgraded community, cultural and recreational spaces, active transportation infrastructure and wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Quotes
"Investment into the Harewood Centennial Park over the last few years had turned it into a destination for all members of our community. The addition of two artificial turf fields will further enhance this park while addressing the need for additional sports fields in Nanaimo.
The City is grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation for their support of this project, to the federal and provincial governments for awarding the grant and to Nanaimo Ladysmith School District for their contribution. This project will benefit many citizens for years to come."
"Snuneymuxw First Nation is very pleased to see the City get funding to create turf fields at Harewood Centennial Park. Snuneymuxw has a long history of participating in a wide variety of sports and a proud legacy of developing several well-known athletes.
This project will establish more high quality recreation infrastructure that will not only increase youth participation in sports, but it will also be a major asset for strengthening joint participation and planning for community events and well-being activities for our shared community."
"The improvements we have seen so far at Harewood Centennial Park have already provided great benefit to our families. With the addition of two artificial turf fields, lights and spectator seating, our student athletes will now be able to play in a professional setting that is safe and complementary to our West Coast weather. The Board of Education thanks Snuneymuxw First Nation and all three levels of government for their commitment to this project and recognizing a need for a first-class sports field in the Harewood community."
"I am glad we are contributing over $2.5 million to the City of Nanaimo for these new turf fields and other upgrades. This is huge for our local sports organizations who practice and play games at Harewood, and will build on other improvements in recent years, including the new skatepark. When we work in partnership, we can make a huge difference for communities, and I am grateful for the efforts and contribution of our federal, municipal and school district partners."
