The City of Nanaimo is hoping Beban Park will be a chosen site for a professional-grade mini soccer pitch, with the majority of the cost covered by the province and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

pitch for mini-pitch

Nanaimo interested in bringing mini soccer pitch to Beban Park

Jun 18, 2026 | 2:31 PM

NANAIMO — A durable and modular mini outdoor soccer pitch might be coming to the Harbour City.

A recommendation was made for City council to submit an expression of interest to install a mini-pitch in Beban Park through the Mini Peaks Legacy Project (MPLP), turning an unused, grassy area adjacent to Merle Logan Field into a downsized accessible soccer pitch with artificial turf.

During the Wednesday, June 17, finance and audit committee meeting, coun. Erin Hemmens, an admitted enthusiastic soccer mom, supported the idea.

“We were just in a tournament in Surrey, and I get a lot of questions about ‘why don’t we have more turf fields?’ and, ‘why don’t we have an undercover soccer space for practice?’ These end-zone, kind of warm-up spaces are one of the things on the list that a lot of parents in the community are very interested in.”

The proposed mini-pitch at Beban Park would be located in a currently vacant grassy spot next to Merle Logan Field. While designed for soccer, the mini-pitches can support multiple activities for year-round use. (Image Credit: City of Nanaimo)

pitch for mini-pitch

Nanaimo interested in bringing mini soccer pitch to Beban Park

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If selected, the MPLP would cover the entire cost of bringing the 18-metre-by-36-metre (60-by-120-feet) mini-pitch to Beban Park, with the City putting up $213,600 for site prep and being responsible for long-term maintenance.

The project’s goal is to invest in community sport across the province as a “legacy initiative associated with the FIFA World Cup 2026,” according to the City’s report, in partnership with the province and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

MPLP would also provide technical and programming support for grassroots soccer programs, coach training, and other support from the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

The province, through viaSport BC, is providing $10M for the project, with the Whitecaps contributing $3M, with two mini-pitches planned for eight different economic regions in B.C.

The application period opened in May and will remain open until all locations are chosen.

The mini-pitch would be located in Beban Park, between Merle Logan Field and the pathway off Dormon Rd. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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by Jordan Davidson

Nanaimo interested in bringing mini soccer pitch to Beban Park

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