Residents in Coquitlam Town Centre will see a well-used grass field ripped up this year.
The city is replacing the north field in Town Centre Park, located east of Cunnings Field, with an artificial turf at a cost of $2.5 million.
The synthetic conversion of the 13,500 sq. m. field - about double the size of a standard ground - is expected to be ready in time for the start of the soccer season this fall, said Raul Allueva, Coquitlam's acting GM of parks and recreation.
Allueva said neighbours will be able to view the design plans and learn more about the construction impacts at an open house that is scheduled to take place next month.
The work is set to get underway in May and wrap up by October, he said.
The full-field replacement is the first priority under the 10-year Sportsfield Strategy, a $10-million plan that city council adopted last summer.
Next on the agenda is the $1-million upgrade of the artificial turf carpet at Dr. Charles Best secondary and, in 2016, the $1.3-million improvement of the north and south fields at Mackin Park in Maillardville.
Coquitlam has 75 sports fields - 42 of which are for playing and 33 for baseball.
