NDSS will be the new home field for the VI Raiders. The BCFC season is on hold for now but there's optimism for a September start up, even if the season has to be condensed. (VI Raiders Facebook)

By Dan Marshall

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VI Raiders to debut new home ground when BCFC returns

Jun 25, 2020 | 7:17 PM

NANAIMO – When the VI Raiders get back to playing football, they’ll have a new place to call home.

The team will play their BCFC games at Nanaimo District Secondary School instead of their current home at Caledonia Park.

Upgrading the team’s game venue will have ripple effects to their practice facility.

“We’re looking at getting out of Comox Field (the team’s current practice facility) and we’re going take over Caledonia Park for our full time practice facility and base our team operations out of there,” Josh Williams, Raiders general manager said.

The permanent move to NDSS would allow for night games, which is something the Raiders haven’t been able to do at Caledonia.

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NDSS field also has plenty of standing room which could be useful for social distancing depending on restrictions for spectators.

The Raiders know the BC Football Conference season is going to have a delayed start.

BCFC President Tyler McLaren stated in a news release the league plans to unveil a schedule soon.

“The Conference is currently aiming for an early to mid-September regular season start date. We will likely be looking at a reduced regular season number of games and playoffs.”

Williams said the team is waiting on word from health officials and return to play committees for the next steps.

“We have over 100 guys coming from here and all over Canada. Guys are eager for news and eager to get back on the field,” Williams said. “When the time comes and we’re given the green light we’re as prepared as possible to hit the ground and go full tilt come September.”

There is still a possibility of a Canadian Bowl national championship this year but if the season does go ahead it could be decided there won’t be any interprovincial playoff games.

Every passing week brings more uncertainty for players, especially those who will be travelling to Vancouver Island from out of the province.

Williams has told all of his players to be ready. If the BCFC is going to play this season everything will have to come together quickly to meet a potential September start.

It’s certainly not business as usual for the coaches, who would normally have been finished main camp by now and would be hard at work on the practice field prepping for regular season games in July and August.

“I’d like to give some props to my coaching staff,” Williams said. “Those guys have been meeting a couple of times a week and they’re fully ready to get going. When things get lifted, we’ll be ready.”

dan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On twitter: @danmarshall77