Local dignitaries taking part in the ribbon cutting included North Vancouver District Mayor Richard Walton and Council, North Vancouver Board of Education Chair Franci Stratton, North Vancouver MP Andrew Saxton, North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Naomi Yamamoto, North Shore Girls Soccer Club and North Vancouver Community Sport and Recreation Council executive, Tsleil-Waututh Nation representatives and Canexus management.

Partners celebrate the opening of the Windsor Sports Complex at Windsor Secondary

October 19, 2011

On October 13, 2011 the North Vancouver School District, the District of North Vancouver and the North Shore Girls Soccer Club (NSGSC) officially opened three new recreational facilities at Windsor Secondary School in North Vancouver.

The new asphalt running track, a multi-purpose artificial turf field, and an indoor soccer bubble  brought together many funding and community partners, including federal, provincial and municipal governments, the school district, community sporting groups, and local industry. The Governments of Canada and British Columbia jointly contributed almost $2.2 million toward the Windsor Secondary School Turf Field project, through the Canada - British Columbia Building Canada Fund - Communities Component.  The project, which cost an estimated $3.4 million was also made possible through a contribution of $1.2 million from Canexus Corporation, and a contribution of almost $200,000 by the North Vancouver Community Sport and Recreation Council.

The artificial turf field replaces the grass field at Windsor Secondary and is designed to meet the needs of both the school and the community. Soccer, field hockey, and football teams will all benefit from the new facility, which can be played on in any type of weather. The new field will be used from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. each day, seven days a week, for practice, school activities, and community games. The FIFA competition-approved field will also be used for sporting events at the regional level. 

"The School District is proud to be a partner in this valuable community amenity," says Franci Stratton, Chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education. "An indoor soccer training facility is a "first" for this area of the North Shore, and is a great testament to the power of partnerships in building valuable community infrastructure."

The North Shore Girls Soccer Club (NSGSC) partnered with the School District to build the covered and heated soccer facility to better meet the needs of its players, the Windsor School community, and the community at large. The air-supported training centre, comprising 30,000 square feet of artificial turf surface, is located on the lower field of Windsor Secondary School, adjacent to the new artificial turf field. Windsor Secondary School has use of the facility from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, and the NSGSC Soccer Academy and various community groups will hold soccer training on weeknights and weekends. The North Shore's first indoor league for adults also runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.

“The Club is profoundly grateful for the community-wide support that made the Bubble a reality," says  NSGSC President Shauna Tucker. "We are excited to explore the opportunities the indoor training facility offers.”

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Find the full story here.

July 12, 2011

Both the six-lane asphalt track and artificial turf field and the North Shore Girls Soccer Association’s indoor training facility are now complete and in use by the community. The grounds feature extensive retaining walls and new plantings of salal, wild rose and Oregon grape —all species native to BC.

To encourage community use of the track and field, several more parking spaces have been added to the Lytton Street parking lot along with a newly-created drop-off loop.

As a whole, the complex provides wide-ranging potential to meet the recreation, training and physical education needs in this area of the School District.

Construction of public washrooms for the site will begin this summer.

Official opening celebrations of these major new facilities are currently being planned for the Fall.

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From left to right: Liz Bell, Principal, Windsor Secondary School; the Honourable Lynn Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification and Franci Stratton, Chairperson, North Vancouver Board of Education. Photo courtesy of Western Economic Diversification Canada

Highlighting the power of partnerships: Minister of State Lynn Yelich Tours North Vancouver Economic Action Plan Construction

March 1, 2011

On February 24th, 2011, the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification (WD), along with Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver, toured construction underway at Windsor Secondary School's new track and the North Shore Girls Soccer Club's enclosed training facility.

"Once complete, these new and improved recreational amenities will ensure that local residents and athletes have access to the modern and essential infrastructure they need today and in the future," said Minister Yelich. "It is exciting to see that work is underway in communities like North Vancouver, and that our Government's Economic Action Plan is creating jobs for Canadians."

WD has committed more than $602,000 for School District #44 to construct a six-lane asphalt track at Windsor Secondary School Park. The track project, along with new washroom facilities and an artificial turf, also received nearly $2.2 million in federal-provincial funding through the Building Canada Fund-Communities Component Top-Up. Adjacent to the school, WD provided funding of almost $767,000 for the North Shore Girls Soccer Club to build the "Bubble," an air-supported, indoor soccer training facility, the first of its kind in the area.

"These projects again highlight the power of partnerships," said Andrew Saxton, Member of Parliament for North Vancouver. "Our government and North Shore organizations are coming together to put shovels in the ground, support the local economy, and leave lasting recreational legacies for our communities."

Both projects are funded through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program, as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. The RInC program is investing $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. Visit the Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program in the West, or Canada's Economic Action Plan for more information.

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January 19, 2011

Track and ATF
Nine-and-a-half acres on the site of Windsor Secondary School is currently being modified to accommodate a new ATF, running track, parking lot, indoor training facility, and public access washrooms.

Construction began in June of 2010 on the upper field, which includes a 400 metre, six-lane running track and a 157 x 72 metre multi-sport Artificial Turf Field. The facility will be well-suited for soccer, football, lacrosse, and field hockey, among other sports.

The project cost for the field and track is approximately $3.5 million, of which the School District is contributing $1.2 million. Completion is anticipated by late April or early May.

NSGSC Indoor Training Facility
A building permit has been released for the Indoor Training Facility, an air-supported structure
Contracts are in the process of being awarded and construction is expected to begin before the end of January. With a 15 week construction timeline, completion of the “bubble” by May looks likely.

Public Access Washrooms
Public access washrooms will be part of the sports complex.  The washrooms will each have three fixtures and requisite sinks, plus a small storage area for supplies. 

Design and construction drawings for washroom are scheduled to be completed by the end of February so that they can be tendered and awarded in March.  Construction is anticipated to last six months for an opening in September or October of 2011.

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September 15, 2010

Development of the track and ATF field continues at Windsor Secondary and the construction and completion schedule has been confirmed to conclude in the early spring of 2011.

The project timeline for the $3.3 million artificial turf field and surrounding track is now expected to continue through 2010 and carry over until 2011. The confirmed schedule takes into account the impacts of wet winter weather with the expectation that work will be concluded by March of 2011.

Significant progress has been accomplished to date including design work, permit approvals, site clearing and preparation and service contracting. The fall and winter season of the project will proceed to the construction of the drainage system, concrete edge anchor and field base, track, installation of synthetic turf, lighting and landscaping.

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November 10, 2009 funding announcement: Windsor Secondary track and ATF field

Federal, provincial, and municipal leaders gathered on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 to jointly announce an impressive new $3.2 million capital project for Windsor Secondary school and the surrounding community. Through the leadership of the District of North Vancouver, Windsor Secondary school will become the newest location on the north shore with an artificial turf field and surrounding track. This project, valued at over $3.3 million, has been made possible thanks to an almost $2.2 million grant funded jointly by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, and a $1.2 million donation from Canexus. In addition to direct funding, North Vancouver District, North Vancouver School District No. 44 and the North Vancouver Community Sport and Recreation Council will provide technical and in-kind project support.

“Today is about cooperation and commitment to students, to sport and to community” said Liz Bell, principal of Windsor Secondary in welcoming the guests and speakers to the announcement event at Windsor Secondary.

North Vancouver Board of Education chairperson Susan Skinner noted that the project, “will fill a long-standing gap in the Windsor’s physical recreation facilities and community recreational needs. We look forward to working with our partners and the community to ensure the project’s design includes their involvement.”

“Better recreation options will, over time, lead to a healthier, fitter society,” said Andrew Saxton, MP, North Vancouver. “This is an excellent initiative and I commend the District of North Vancouver and the North Vancouver School District for their leadership.”

District of North Vancouver mayor Richard Walton described the project as: “a true community endeavour… a place of celebration and physical activity.” Mayor Walton went on to describe the community impact assessment and consultation process that is planned for early 2010, with the expectation that building could begin by early summer. The mayor also acknowledged significance of the funding from Canexus, which had been exploring, with the District of North Vancouver the best project “for a meaningful way to contribute to the community.”

“Our donation of $1.2 million is the single largest donation Canexus has made in its 52-year history,” said Kevin Meaney, Canexus’ vice president, engineering and technology. “This field has value to the broadest possible demographic from very young boys and girls to senior men’s and women’s teams. We’re extremely proud to provide significant funding for this important community project.”

“All School Districts in the province are working diligently to manage through a period of fiscal restraint,” said chairperson Skinner. “At the same time, the community should know that even in a challenging economy, we are able to make progress in improving our programs, services and facilities. We do this in part through partnerships in the community, and a shared recognition that collaboration can realize the greatest returns for all of us.”

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