The University and the Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club have formalized a joint initiative to construct and operate a shared use soccer training facility at UBC. Alongside the UBC Varsity Soccer and Whitecaps Football Club, the new facility will also provide for a number of community and recreation organizations. The facility will form the centerpiece of the proposed National Soccer Development Centre (NSDC), which includes:
- a new field house,
- two grass playing fields,
- an artificial turf field,
- and relocation of the existing Varsity turf field and Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre.
Capital funding for the facilities is split between the Provincial Government ($11.6 million), the Whitecaps ($8.789 million) and UBC Properties Trust for a total of project value of $22 million. The Board of Governors approved this proposal on June 2nd 2014, with construction on the playing fields targeted to start in August 2014 and a completion date of June 2015. The Wolfson West turf field is set to commence in mid-August. The filed house component is expected to be approved by the board in June 2015 and is slated for completion by December 2016. There is also planning work being undertaken to determine the location of short term parking, pick up/drop off, pathways, and a plaza. A link to the press release can be found here.
Click the following link for a live photo image of the new National Soccer Development Centre construction site: http://142.103.95.35/index.php?cam=2
Nobel Park Softball Field Upgrades
A development permit application has been received by Campus and Community Planning for renovations to the softball diamond at Nobel Park for use by the UBC Women’s Varsity Softball team as well as the community. Proposed improvements include upgrades to the field surface and fencing, new covered dugouts, bullpens, safety netting and space for temporary bleachers and washroom facilities.
For more information, please visit UBC Campus + Community Planning.