The improvements include a new high jump area, a new pole vault track, a spring start extension to the oval, and a new sod and irrigation system in the infield area. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

The City of Nanaimo has begun improvements to the Rotary Bowl Track and Field Facility, near the Nanaimo Aquatic Centre.

Work started at the end of June and is expected to continue until October, to meet community demand and possibly attract larger track and field competitions. The improvements include a new high jump area, a new pole vault track, a spring start extension to the oval, and a new sod and irrigation system in the infield area.

CHLY spoke with Lisa Bhopalsingh, the City of Nanaimo’s General Manager of Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrative Officer about the project.

The budget for the improvements is approximately $1.4 million, including $300,000 from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Works Fund. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

“This is an investment that council has that, and what I will call is council has invested in many of these types of improvements that we see as the foundation for a healthy community.”

She adds the new pole vault track replaces one that was damaged by fire earlier this year.

The budget for the improvements is approximately $1.4 million, including $300,000 from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Community Works Fund.

Bhopalsingh explained the benefits the bowl’s update will yield for the community, both for athletes and casual users.

“We do what we can to support, I guess, fostering growth of our new athletes and our ongoing athletes, and we have a really strong partnership with School District 68 and also the Nanaimo Track and Field Club, and they have worked in partnership with the school district and ourselves for many years, and this whole improvement at the Rotary Bowl for track and field is one that's part of nurturing the whole stadium district with a range of different amenities for all the community,” she said. “In fact, I know of elders who regularly walk the track and enjoy the soft surface.”

She explained the Rotary Bowl is used by School District 68, Vancouver Island University, the Nanaimo Track and Field Club, recreational runners, walkers and seniors. Additional improvements include improved access to the facility and landscaping enhancements, including the planting of new trees.

Urbanowicz said changes to the pole vault area were much needed, due in part to the neighbouring Serauxmen Stadium where baseball is played. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

Bhopalsingh shares what she hopes the update will yield for Nanaimo as a potential host city for sporting events.

“It also ticks the box for things like economic development and sports tourism, so when we have things like the 55+ Plus Games or track and field events, and we host regional or even national events, we are now more competitive to get these events coming to us because of the caliber of our facilities.”

Wanda Urbanowicz, head coach of the Nanaimo Track and Field Club expresses her excitement around improvements to the bowl.

“I think it's great. Anything that you know improves the facility will, you know, help us bring in bigger competitions, and hopefully, you know, raise the profile of track and field in Nanaimo and on the island and in BC.”

Urbanowicz said changes to the pole vault area were much needed, due in part to the neighbouring Serauxmen Stadium where baseball is played.

“Well, big one was pole vault, it wasn't ideally situated for wind direction. So and also the fly balls coming over the fence were hazardous to the coaches and the athletes and the officials during competition, and that happens quite regularly,” she said.

The new pole vault location addresses the wind issue, as well as safety concerns for athletes. The new 100 meter straight track allows races to be run in the opposite direction when wind conditions require it. Additionally, the infield is being levelled and fitted with irrigation to improve training and competition conditions.

Urbanowicz said the club has had great collaboration with the City ever since they took over the facility from the school district.

She explained the club's excitement over what the improvements might mean for competitions and athlete development.

“It's great benefit, obviously, to the athletes here to have better facilities, and just like any other, any of the other facilities that you see around here, you know, they're all sort of making upgrades all the time, so we want to sort of keep pace with that,” she said. “All these things make it a more desirable to have bigger competitions here, and having athletes of higher caliber come wanting to come and compete here.”

For safety, much of the site will be closed during construction, including the entire infield and most of the track.

Further information is available on the City of Nanaimo’s website.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.