Van Tech Artificial Turf Field Official Opening Kick-Off

June 2, 2008 (No. 25) - Vancouver Park Board and School Board officials along with school and community sport groups will open the new Artificial Turf Playing Field at Vancouver Technical Secondary School this week. The opening will feature speeches by Commissioners and Trustees, a kick-off and refreshments. The field is located on the school grounds of Vancouver Technical Secondary.

Wednesday, June 4th
2:30 PM
Vancouver Technical Secondary School
2600 Broadway (at Slocan Street)
Parking available on Slocan Street

The 7,700 square meter polyethylene fibre surface is in-filled with recycled crumb rubber to provide better shock absorbency and ensures the field is well drained and suitable for play under any weather condition. The project also included state-of-the-art lighting masts making play possible after dark and minimizing glare and light spillage to the surrounding area. The field is designed to accommodate soccer and field lacrosse.

Cost for the new field was $2 million and included extensive site work, drainage, lighting and fencing. The artificial turf field was built on the Vancouver School Board site with the Vancouver Park Board paying the cost of construction. The primary consultant was R.F. Binnie and Associates Ltd. and the general contractor was Wilco Landscape Contractors, Ltd.

The field was build as part of the Park Board's Playing Field Renewal Plan to add six lit synthetic turf fields to the existing system. The new artificial turf field, which has 5 times more capacity than natural turf, will be shared between the school's weekday usage and Park Board field bookings for evening and weekend games and days during the summer months. The Park Board has three existing Astroturf-style fields at Eric Hamber Secondary School, Andy Livingstone Park and Point Grey Secondary/Kerrisdale Park.

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For more information, contact Carol DeFina, Communications Coordinator, at 604-257-8440.
www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 220 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.