Concerns raised over declining condition of turf field at BSRC

BEAUMONT -- Beaumont City Council has directed its administration to examine how non-sporting events have contributed to the declining condition of the turf field at the Beaumont Sport and Rec Centre.

This comes after concerns were recently brought forward by the Beaumont Soccer Association, which noted that the field's condition has degraded over a much faster time frame than was initially anticipated. The field was originally supposed to last at least 15 years; however, BSA President Whitney Stevens says that factors such as the impact of non-sporting events have caused it to deteriorate at a faster rate. 

"The related setup and takedown requirements prevent user groups that require the fieldhouse for their sport to have access, and it causes unnecessary damage every time the turf has to be removed," said Stevens. "The turf was originally expected to have a lifespan of approximately 15 years; however, due to unnecessary wear and tear, that lifespan has been significantly reduced, and replacement is expected earlier."

Stevens also takes issue with the turf field being unavailable to local teams for a week in November, which comes in the midst of a busy soccer season, where other amenities are not readily available.

Following her public commentary, Mayor Lisa Vanderkwaak tabled a motion to call on Beaumont staff to investigate how many times the turf field at the BSRC has been converted for non-sporting events in the last five years as well as the corresponding costs to the city. The motion also seeks to determine how much it would cost to fully replace the field.