The City's idea for a Third St. sports zone, encompassing three major facilities in Nanaimo, will take a detour in order to future proof the site with additional underground infrastructure. (CIty of Nanaimo)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

PROJECT DETOUR

Additional work needed before surface upgrades to Third St. sports zone

Nov 15, 2021 | 6:14 AM

NANAIMO — A strategic rethink and more consideration to “future proofing” is behind a jump in budget to upgrades at and around Serauxmen Stadium.

Councillors gave unanimous approval during a Nov. 5 finance meeting to a new $1.16 million budget, up from the original $350,000 for early development of sizeable upgrades to the stadium and surrounding area. Council is due to given final approval during their Monday, Nov. 15 meeting.

Art Groot, director of facility and parks operations, told councillors the more planning staff did for the Third St. sports zone, including the NDSS Turf Field and Rotary Bowl, it became clear early visions had put the cart before the horse.

“We really looked at what that future looks like in regards to more seating, amenity buildings, we looked at existing water service, electrical, future irrigation, it became more and more evident that corridor, the central access…is also where that utility corridor really should be.”

The corridor will connect the three main sports facilities in Nanaimo and create a central space for baseball, football, track and field along with several other sports.

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The new direction will see at least a delay in infield work at Serauxmen Stadium in order to get the bones of the project right before finishing touches are completed.

“Rather than proceeding with surface works now and then in the future digging that up, it really is trying to avoid duplicating and-or disturbing works already completed, it’s really a concept of future proofing,” Groot said.

New work will include replacing existing water servicing and sewer in the area, adding electrical capacity for washrooms and parking lot lighting and installation of communications lines for an eventual press box at Serauxmen Stadium.

It’s hoped to be completed by the time the NightOwls take the field in June and the VI Raiders return in July at neighbouring NDSS Turf Field.

A replacement of the infield at the ball stadium, from grass to artificial turf, originally planned for 2023 will be cancelled for the mean time.

Groot added the upgrades will likely return for Council direction, but in combination with similar upgrades to the outfield.

Work continues on upgrades to Serauxmen Stadium, done in part due to the age of the facility and the projected debut of the Nanaimo NightOwls in summer 2022.

The green monster was stripped down in 2020 and is due to be replaced along with new fencing and netting around the perimeter of the field.

Upgrades at the facility recently suffered another budget setback, with an additional $150,000 in unplanned work being needed to test and remove years of paint on seating and the stadium building itself.

The additional funds came from a surplus after a previous project at the site came in under budget.

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