Minoru Park is back in full swing this year in time for the 2015 field sport season thanks to a significant park facility upgrade.
Local sports teams and residents of Richmond are invited to an official opening, led by Mayor Malcolm Brodie, to celebrate the parks comprehensive redevelopment on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10 a.m. It will take place beside Minoru 3/Latrace Field in Minoru Park.
Council approved the replacement and expansion of the programs and services offered at the existing Minoru Aquatic Centre, Minoru Place Activity Centre and the former Minoru Pavilion in November 2013.
And a 110,000 square foot complex designed to meet current and future recreational, sport, social and community needs was approved. The location identified for this new facility necessitated the relocation and replacement of Minoru 2 artificial turf field and Minoru 3/ Latrace Field.
During the design phase of these new sports fields, a special sports sub-committee representing Richmond Sports Council was formed to work alongside the design build team consisting of City employees, Wilco Civil Inc., and Van de Zalm & Associates. Representatives from soccer, baseball, field hockey, field lacrosse, cricket, and track and field clubs provided input into the design of these new fields to improve opportunities for year round practice use, tournaments, and special events.
Minoru 2 artificial turf field is designed to accommodate soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse and has been open for play since October 2014. The relocated Minoru 3/ Latrace Field, Richmond’s first artificial turf baseball field, is designed to also accommodate soccer, field hockey and lacrosse, and is now ready for use.
In addition, throwing facilities for discus, shot put, hammer and javelin have been improved and expanded and two public tennis courts have been relocated. Project highlights also include the installation of new field lighting, the creation of an additional 32 parking stalls along Gilbert Road and a major upgrade of the east-west pedestrian pathway connector.
Minoru Park has historically been the centre of recreational sports in Richmond and the legacy continues with the parks newly redesigned sports field amenities. This project, with a total budget of $6.3 million was funded by the City of Richmond with the support of a $60,000 grant from Tire Stewardship BC.
Following Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Richmond City Baseball will be hosting its opening day celebration on Latrace Field starting at 11 a.m.
