The grass at Sherry Fields is hoped to be replaced by a pair of synthetic surfaces in time for next fall. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

big upgrade

New turf fields ‘another real positive’ for well-used Harewood Centennial Park

Feb 7, 2023 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — Synthetic surfaces providing substantially more playing time for a variety of user groups could be reality by late summer.

It’s the hope of City of Nanaimo’s general manager of parks recreation and culture Richard Harding, who’s overseeing the transformation away from the natural grass sporting surface at Harewood Centennial Park.

He said a tender invitation period for civil works at Sherry Fields on Howard Ave. at Seventh St. wraps up early next month, leading to a separate tender later on for general contractor to install a pair of all-weather fields.

“To provide two new artificial turf fields in this part of town and for the sporting community is another real positive for sport and keeping children active,” Harding told NanaimoNewsNOW.

The shock absorbent, fast-draining synthetic fields will be configured for football, soccer, field lacrosse and minor softball, Harding noted.

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Complimentary amenities include new LED field lighting, covered benches for players, spectator seating and a perimeter walkway.

Harding expects the fields will accommodate about 2,000 hours of annual use each, aligning with the workload handled by the two Merle Logan Field artificial surfaces at Beban Park.

“On natural turf fields for youth we can maybe get 500 hours on them, but adult it’s around 300 hours; they just can’t take the level of play that artificial turf can get.”

A contractor’s rending of a pair of synthetic sports fields planned for Centennial Harewood Park. (City of Nanaimo)

A service agreement is in place with School District 68, allowing John Barsby Secondary School access to the fields, including a new playing and practice surface for the school’s renowned football program.

Casual complimentary public usage will be permitted when the fields are not formally booked by user groups, Harding said.

With senior government grants absorbing most of the project originally budgeted at about $5 million, Harding fully expects the project will advance this year.

Harding noted potentially higher than expected costs following two sets of project tenders could require Nanaimo Council’s blessing to advance the project.

Installing a pair synthetic fields at Harewood Centennial Park represents the final significant addition to the heavily used park, which has undergone a drastic transformation in recent years.

A pair of hard surface sports courts, a skateboard park and enhanced playground are among the improvements made in phases since 2015.

The well used q’unq’inuqwstuxw artificial sports field opened nearly five years ago, which provides about 3,000 playing hours annually, Harding noted.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes