The South Delta Sun Devils will be anxiously watching their home football field this summer, leading into the upcoming 2023 season.
It was a year ago when a problem with the irrigation system left the South Delta Secondary oval looking like a tumbleweed field right out of a Western movie when the senior and junior varsity teams opened their schedules in early September. The conditions improved in the following weeks, but the oval is long overdue for a significant renovation.
Other ongoing problems include continuous divots and loose gravel. The venue is also used in the spring by the four SDSS rugby teams.
Representatives from the Tsawwassen school’s football program met with city officials in the spring to express their ongoing concerns regarding the condition of the oval field as it continues to rely on its original irrigation system from the 1970s.
It was only in recent years a partnership was established between the city and the Delta School District on improvements or additions to sports fields on school property.
“Earlier this year, there were discussions between the city and school district regarding some school district fields (10 in total) that were in need of additional support,” explained Trent Reid, director of Delta Parks and Recreation. “The school district developed a priority list and the city committed to reviewing the various locations (of which SDSS is included) and developing some basic scope and budget needs. Initial indications suggested that the proposed work program would require a multi-year delivery plan.”
Topping the priority list was a second turf field at North Delta’s Mackie Park and a new track and sports infield at Delta Secondary in Ladner. The funding for both projects is from the $16 million Delta received from the province’s Growing Communities Fund for infrastructure projects.
With no solid timeline for the SDSS oval renovation, the city will assist the school district with season-to-season maintenance.
“SDSS is one of the other higher priority locations, however, we do not have a timeline established for the fulsome rebuild of that location at this time,” added Reid. “The city is, however, providing turf repair and maintenance advise through our city operations turf team in an effort to assist with some short-term improvements at the site.”
