Niall Paltiel, Chair of the Peninsula Recreation Commission
VICTORIA – A new multi sport facility is coming to Centennial Park thanks to a $2 million grant the District of Central Saanich received from the Federal Government Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
The new covered, open-air facility will replace the current 40-year-old lacrosse box in Centennial Park. This shared multi sport box is designed for a variety of sports and recreational programs and will increase access to year-round all weather outdoor activities.
In June 2022, the District approached the Peninsula Recreation Commission (PRC) to take over the project to construct and operate the new facility. The PRC and the District agreed that the multi sport facility is a regional services that meets community needs.
“The multi sport facility will offer an excellent playing experience for lacrosse, pickleball and ball hockey, benefiting our Saanich Peninsula community. Lacrosse, being one of the fastest-growing youth sport in the provinces, holds a significant connection to the youth in the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout) and W̱SIKEM (Tseycum) First Nations. The sport box, with its cover and light features, will provide year-round enjoyment for all and have a lasting positive impact for generations to come,” said Niall Paltiel, Chair, Peninsula Recreation Commission.
In February 2023, the Peninsula Recreation Commission (PRC) recommended to the Capital Regional District (CRD) board to move forward with the project which includes:
- Demolition of the existing box
- 17,000 square feet of new play surface with acrylic coating to improve visual accessibility
- Dasher boards complete with above chain-link fencing
- Team benches
- Scoreboard
- Shot clocks
- Penalty box
- Lighting for covered areas
The project is budgeted at $4.9 million. $2 million from the grant and the remaining $2.9 million will come from the PRC’s capital plan which is part of the CRD financial plan. The multi sport box project will begin late summer 2024 and aims to be completed in 2025. Beginning in January 2025, the PRC will also operate additional on-site facilities including the field house and 3 picnic shelters on a 60-year lease.
“I am so proud of the District of Central Saanich for securing the federal grant funding and I commend the Peninsula Recreation Commission and staff for their dedication in bringing this project from conception to reality,” said Paltiel.
This project aligns with the Panorama Recreation’s 2022-2026 strategic plan and has been added to the 2023-2027 CRD Plan.
Source: CRD
