This section of the vast playing field at Jack Bagley Park will include several sports courts with construction expected to start in June. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

get your racket

‘We are very excited:’ construction imminent to enhance Nanoose Bay park

May 2, 2022 | 5:30 AM

NANOOSE BAY— Including sports courts to Jack Bagley Community Park (JBCP) in Nanoose Bay headlines phase one improvements to be in play in the near future.

The Regional District of Nanaimo’s manager of parks services Yann Gagnon said a pair of tennis courts and a stand-alone pickle ball court will be installed at the west side of the Powder Point Rd. park.

“We are very excited and as are the residents to start this project to have more opportunities to exercise, play and utilize our parks,” Gagnon said.

A staircase down the hill from neighbouring Nanoose Place and an accessible ramp linking the off-road parking area at Powder Point Rd. will both connect to the new-look park.

A paved plaza and picnic tables will be added, while a water line will be hooked up to the site and an irrigation system put in place for the existing sports field, Gagnon said.

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Phase one of overhauling JBCP totaled nearly $1.2 million with most of the money coming from the Electoral Area E Community Works Fund.

Awarding a construction tender for the initial portion of the vision was approved at an RDN board meeting last week.

The RDN planned on constructing a washroom building and covered picnic area as well, however Gagnon said costs were too high, so tendering the entirety of the project was pulled last fall.

“We wanted it to be a certain price, but it doesn’t mean the market was offering that price,” Gagnon said. “We found a way to break it up into pieces so perhaps we can do it over the course of two to three years and hopefully have the same outcome.”

Construction of phase one is expected to begin in June and be completed in September, Gagnon said.

Enhancing JBCP followed a presentation at an RDN committee meeting by people in the area looking for improved recreational amenities at the site, leading to further study by by the RDN and community consultations.

Gagnon said the RDN has an application submitted for a senior government grant to help complete the project.

“If we don’t get it then perhaps we can plan ahead and maybe a few years from now to to see if we can get that building constructed,” he said.

Jack Bagley Community Park is located adjacent to a newly unveiled accessible playground at Nanoose Bay Elementary School.

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