An artificial-turf soccer field at Inlet Park is a corner kick closer after Port Moody council referred a plan to redevelop the old gravel field to the city’s finance committee to determine a funding source to complete detailed design work.
The proposal would see the all-weather playing surface replaced by a FIFA-regulation turf pitch that can be divided into three smaller "Super-8" pitches for younger players between the ages of four and 12. The corners of the field would also be available as softball diamonds.
The new facility can’t come soon enough for Port Moody Soccer Association’s 1,400 youth and adult players, said its president, Matthew Campbell.
“This is a huge thing for us,” Campbell said. “This field is needed today.”
Campbell said with only two turf fields — one behind the PoMo rec centre, the other at Heritage Woods secondary school — and three or four primary grass fields at the association’s disposal, a run of inclement weather can wreak havoc on scheduling as the city closes natural pitches to preserve their surfaces.
And while the current gravel field at Inlet Park is considered “all-weather,” he said the reality is quite different as it’s muddy when it’s wet and dusty when it’s dry, and most teams refuse to play there. As a result, it’s mostly unused.
Campbell said while enrolment in soccer programs has flatlined or even declined across Canada in recent years, his association is girded for more players as Port Moody’s population grows. Inlet Park is ideally situated for all the condo development expected to bring more residents into nearby Moody Centre and the Flavelle site.
Coun. Barbara Junker agreed, saying, “We need to be looking to the future."
While some councillors expressed dismay about the anticipated removal of 135 trees to accommodate the more expansive of two proposals before them at Tuesday’s council meeting, they all agreed the project has the potential to become a legacy for the city.
“This will provide quality recreational space for generations to come,” Coun. Rob Vagramov said.
A report presented to council estimates further design work for the redeveloped park, which will also include a parking area for 88 cars, a playground, and the potential for construction of a new field house, will cost $240,000.
