City council unanimously approved $2.5 million worth of new amenities to be added at NDSS Community Field during a recent finance and audit committee meeting. (NanaimoNewsNOW file photo)

By Ian Holmes

stadium development

NDSS Community Field to receive stadium style amenities

May 24, 2021 | 6:53 AM

NANAIMO — Adding more seating to NDSS Community Field is one of several planned investments to take place over the next two years.

A recent finance and audit committee meeting heard the nine member City Council unanimously supported including $2.5 million worth of new features, including bleacher style seating, into the 2021 and 2022 budgets.

A city staff report showed the money is also targeted toward safety netting, perimeter fencing ,media and coaching booth space, initial plaza development and temporary washrooms and change rooms.

The funding was not previously included in the City’s financial plan.

Richard Harding, the City’s general manager of parks, recreation and culture, said this investment will help position the multi-sport field to host larger sporting events.

niche amenities

Trio of community park projects advancing in Nanaimo

15h ago

final farewell

Family, friends and fans to gather at memorial for former B.C. premier John Horgan

16h ago

holiday vibes

Grizzlies spoil Clippers' teddy bear toss night

23h ago

He conceded $500,000 for temporary washrooms and change rooms is not ideal, but is required in the interim to better support neighouring Serauxmen Stadium and the Rotary Bowl.

“If we want to start these events out of the pandemic and move some of these other groups to the area we’re going to need some amenities.”

A detailed implementation plan includes permanent washrooms and change rooms, spectator roofing, while also developing family picnic areas, beer gardens and food truck zones.

The parking lot off Third St. behind Serauxmen Stadium is also intended to be paved.

Harding said immediate and longer range plans involve public consultation and opinions from user groups.

A City staff report showed plans to gradually increase seating at NDSS Communtiy Field to reach at least 1,200 people in order to host events like the BC and Canada Summer Games.

There is currently seating for 400 people at the field.

City Council spoke favourably of the project’s positive impacts on the sporting community and economic spin-offs from larger events.

Coun. Tyler Brown said following through on enhancing the venue will pay off for athletes, spectators and the community as a whole.

“Yes it does have a bigger ticket price tag, but I think the community benefit per dollar here is really, really high,” Brown said.

The three-year-old NDSS Community Field is used by a variety of school and community based sports groups, primarily for football, soccer and field lacrosse.

Last year the VI Raiders BC Football Conference team announced its move to the venue from Caledonia Park, but have yet to play at the facility due to the pandemic.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes