Inter River Park turf field

We are building a new full-size artificial turf field (ATF) in Inter River Park that will meet tournament standards, and increase the sports field availability in the park.

This new ATF will replace the existing grass field, which is unfit for scheduled play due to an uneven surface and associated drainage problems.

Because the site for the new field was previously a landfill and therefore prone to uneven settling, we must first compress the fill and prepare the site for construction by 'preloading' it with approximately 72,500 tonnes of sand, which will remain for up to two years. 

News and updates

Latest updates

September 29, 2022 

We are currently planning for removal of the pre-load material with a goal to secure a contractor and begin construction of the field within the next year.

When complete, the new artificial turf field will feature field lighting, a practice area, a new washroom, and new paved parking areas and sidewalks. 

Previously

January 31, 2020 — Delivery of sand complete

The deliveries of sand to Inter River Park for preloading are now complete. We are continuing to monitor the site for settling over the next one to two years.

Once complete, the sand will be removed to prepare the site for construction of a new artificial turf field. 

November 28, 2019 — Delivery of sand for preloading

The second half of the sand deliveries are underway. This work will continue until January 2020.

October 7, 2019 — Delivery of sand for preloading

Deliveries of the 72,500 tonnes of sand necessary to preload the field began the week of October 7. 

August 27, 2018  — Work begins on the new field

Work to prepare the field for preloading began the week of August 27, and included removing the existing grass and topsoil, installing retaining walls to hold the sand, and installing environmental protection measures.

Traffic and access during construction

Location of construction

Managing traffic and other disruptions

Deliveries via dump trucks are expected weekdays between 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, and will follow this route:

Traffic controls will be in place to safely manage truck and other vehicle access to the park during construction.

We ask for your patience and understanding over the next several months as we accommodate additional truck traffic to and from Inter River Park. The contractor will make every effort to minimize impacts to park users and the surrounding community however we do expect to experience increased noise and dust in the area.

Ensuring public safety

For the protection and safety of all park visitors, the construction area will be fenced and gated for the duration of the preload phase (up to two years). Pedestrian access around the preload area will be maintained.

Details

About the construction process

Because the site was the location of a previous municipal land fill (active from 1956 to 1988), and is prone to uneven settling, the area must be preloaded with sand for a period of up to two years.

This process compresses the fill and prepares the site for construction of the artificial turf field.

August to November, 2018

Starting in August, preparation of the existing field to accept the preload material will begin, including:

  • removal of the existing grass and topsoil
  • installation of retaining walls to hold the sand
  • installation of environmental protection measures.

This work should take approximately ten weeks to complete.

Late summer, 2019

Approximately 72,500 tonnes of sand required for the preload will be trucked to the field from another construction site on the North Shore over a period of approximately three months, starting late summer 2019.

During this period, there will be intensive periods of deliveries of sand by truck to the area of field #1.

Bird's eye view the new turf field

Rendering of new artificial turf field being built in Inter River Park

Background

The need for new a sports field in Inter River Park

The existing grass field in Inter River Park has been substantially compromised due to settling of the field and associated infrastructure (e.g. backstops and dugouts), largely as a consequence of constructing the field over a former landfill site.

The field’s uneven surface and associated drainage issues limit the playability, and as a result, the field is only booked occasionally. 

A new full size tournament artificial turf field  (for soccer, football and field hockey) would meet the objective of developing Inter River Park as a DNV tournament center for sports field users, as well as providing additional artificial turf inventory to take the pressure off existing grass fields throughout the District.

Deciding on a site and field configuration

In 2016, staff began studying options for a field (or fields) in Inter River Park by exploring three preliminary field options — a single natural turf field, a single artificial turf field, two artificial turf fields. 

In 2017, following direction from Council, staff started the work necessary to complete a single turf field, while continuing to explore other options for a second field. 

In 2018, Council directed staff not to proceed with the second turf field option.

The process we followed to decide on this site and configuration

  • April 23, 2018 — Council recommendation on a potential second turf field
  • February 26, 2018 — Presentation to Council
  • November 14, 2017 — Presentation to Council
  • June 21-July 12, 2017 — Online consultation
  • June 21, 2017 — Public information session
  • February 6, 2017 — Council workshop
  • October 24, 2016 — Council workshop
  • August 31-Sept 14,  2016 — Online consultation
  • August 31, 2016 — Public information session

Documents from the decision-making process

This section contains documents that were produced from late 2016 to early 2018, as staff and Council explored potential options for a new turf field.

Reports and studies

Public information sessions

Council materials

April 23, 2018 — Council direction on second field

Staff report to Council (PDF; 64.8MB)

February 26, 2018 — Staff update to Council 

Staff report to Council

November 14, 2017 — Staff update to Council

February 6, 2017 — Council Workshop

October 24, 2016 — Council Workshop

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