September 18, 1997 - 5:00pm
Work has started on new sports fields between Serauxmen Stadium and the new Nanaimo Parkway, thanks to donations from local businesses.
The fields will be constructed off Third Street, on Malaspina University-College property, as a joint venture of the Rotary Clubs of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Minor Baseball Association, and Malaspina University-College.
The project will see the creation of two fields that will accommodate soccer, rugby, and field hockey; two baseball diamonds; and warm-up/practice areas.
"We've received several donations-in-kind in the last few week which has allowed us to get started on this project," said Dave Wadeson, Malaspina's director of physical plant and project coordinator.
"This joint venture will ensure increased access to playing fields for community groups, while it will finally provide Malaspina's national award-winning athletes with sports fields they can call their own.
"The new fields, combined with the existing NDSS fields, the Rotary Bowl track facility, and the Serauxmen Stadium will constitute a substantial sports complex for the Nanaimo area," Wadeson said.
"Bob Gold of the Nanaimo Minor Baseball Association, initiated this project many years ago and we're pleased that, thanks to the donations and the involvement of different community organizations, we'll be able to see this project completed in the next year," he said.
Donations have been received from Newcastle Engineering and Banky Technical Services for design and surveying (estimated at $200,000); Milner Trucking for land preparing (est. $60,800); Davey Tree Services for hydro-axing (est. $4,800); Hub City Paving for sand for all weather fields (est. $40,000); B.C. Hydro-Vegetation Management Division for tree removal near hydro lines (est. $800); Petley-Jones & Co Law Corp. for legal advice (est. $500); Lewkowich Geotechnical Engineering for a geotechnical survey (est. $1,395); Drillwell Enterprises Ltd. to drill test holes for the geotechnical study (est. ($1,800); Nanaimo Correctional Centre for removal of brush; and the City of Nanaimo for the use of Third Street to Addison Road.
Clearing of the site is being carried out by students in Malaspina's heavy equipment operator training program.
Wadeson said that the playing fields will be constructed as "all weather fields" and more sand is required to complete the project.
Nanaimo Minor Baseball and the Rotary Clubs of Nanaimo are raising $150,000, and Malaspina will secure $250,000 towards the construction costs.
For information on how to assist with the field construction project, please call Wadeson at 755-8716, or Gold at 758-1010.
Tags: In the Community
