The redevelopment of Inlet Park at 3024 Murray Street includes three phases of work, with Phases 1 and 2 completed in spring 2024. The once-gravel field is now a high-quality, all-weather, artificial turf surface providing space for all levels of soccer play, from smaller “Super-8” pitches up to FIFA-regulation sized adult games. The new turf area also includes two baseball and softball diamonds, with adjacent batting cages. The park also features a new toddler playground and a natural play area for older kids.

The third and final phase of the project, which is underway now, will involve the construction of a new fieldhouse facility with public washrooms.

Phase 3 – Inlet Park Fieldhouse

The new three-storey fieldhouse includes:

  • Ground floor: changerooms, public gender-neutral and universal washrooms, concession space, and storage
  • Second floor: multipurpose room, catering kitchen, washrooms, and indoor viewing space
  • Third floor: office/meeting spaces, washroom, and outdoor covered viewing deck with bleachers

The design for the building strives to achieve leading sustainability and energy efficiency targets as well as third party accessibility certification.

For more information on the budget and design details, please refer to the following report to Council: Inlet Park Fieldhouse – Design Update, June 25, 2024, item 11.1.

Fieldhouse Design Concepts

Fieldhouse south view

(Photo Above) South view rendering of the new fieldhouse facility 

Fieldhouse North view

(Photo Above) North view rendering of new fieldhouse facility and bleachers

Fieldhouse multipurpose room

(Photo Above) Second floor multipurpose room

Timeline

completed icon  Completed

  • conceptual fieldhouse design development to assess building options, including architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical considerations

in progress In progress - (we are here)

  • complete the architectural detailed design, including space planning and refinements to the sports facility criteria such as change rooms, public washrooms, concession space, and storage space
  • layout drawings for the three floors of the facility and renderings of the facility exterior
  • fieldhouse construction document design phase

not started  Not started 

  • final design and tender (anticipated by early 2025)
  • construction of the fieldhouse (anticipated to start in summer 2025)

Phase 1 & 2 – (completed)

Phases 1 and 2 were completed in spring 2024. The once-gravel field is now a high-quality, all-weather, artificial turf surface. Additional completed sporting improvements include:

  • three smaller "Super 8" soccer pitches suitable for younger players;
  • FIFA-regulation field for adult soccer games;
  • two baseball and softball diamonds; and
  • batting cages.

The park also features:

  • new children's playground (tot lot) and natural play area;
  • raised boardwalk feature for viewing of park trees;
  • restoration planting and landscaping, including more than 400 trees and more than 6,000 shrubs and understory plantings; and
  • additional parking spaces and infrastructure for future electric vehicle (EV) charging stations.

This work was partially funded by grants from the federal and provincial governments through the joint Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

Stakeholder engagement

In developing this project, we have regularly engaged with the following stakeholder groups:

Environmental and archaeological considerations

The Inlet Park area has significant environmental and wildlife value, including riparian habitat, large urban forests, and connection to the Burrard Inlet. As part of the project, the environmental features were mapped and catalogued to understand potential impacts the project may have on these sensitive habitats. Our goal was to avoid and minimize project-related impacts to the environment. For example, reducing the number of tree removals was a critical consideration that guided the decision-making process. A restoration and enhancement plan were developed for the project to add value to the areas surrounding the new field footprint. 

The project area is also archaeologically sensitive and archaeological investigations took place to guide the project design. Additionally, monitoring continued during construction to mitigate the risk of encountering archaeologically sensitive material. 

Frequently asked questions

General

What is the cost of the Inlet Park Redevelopment Project?

Information on the costs for Phases 1 and 2 works can be found in the following reports to Council: Inlet Park Sports Field Redevelopment Project Update, May 10, 2022, item 9.6.

Information on Phase 3 costs are included in the following report to Council: Inlet Park Fieldhouse – Design Update, June 25, 2024, item 11.1.
Crumb rubber

Does the artificial field have crumb rubber?

Yes, the artificial field contains crumb rubber. The City currently has three artificial turf fields. Trasolini Field was resurfaced in 2010 and the North Shore Community Park was resurfaced in 2016-2017. All three were built in accordance with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) children’s toy safety standard (EN 71-3), which remains the current safety standard requirement.

Is crumb rubber safe?

Health and safety are a top priority for the City. Provincial Health Authorities have been consulted by local Municipalities concerning potential public health concerns surrounding synthetic turf and crumb rubber infill. Vancouver Coastal Health’s current position statement on synthetic turf is: “Serious health risks, including cancer, are not increased from playing on synthetic turf fields with crumb rubber infill” and “there is no public health reason for discontinuing the use of synthetic turf”.

How will crumb rubber be contained to the field?

To avoid the transfer of crumb rubber, the field design incorporates catch basins and cleat brushes to contain any loose crumb rubber caught in footwear or clothing.  
Light pollution

How is the City addressing light pollution from the park?

We have worked to minimize any light pollution from Inlet Park. The lighting plan for the park has incorporated the guidelines of the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), the recognized authority on light pollution worldwide. The park uses an LED lighting system with remote operation designed to reduce glare and improve overall energy efficiency. Additionally, the park does not include uplighting—a lighting effect created by placing lights on the ground and pointing them upwards which is commonly used for baseball.
Restoration planting

Will any trees be removed and why? 

As part of the overall project design, a tree impact assessment was conducted by an arborist to note the species, size and conditions of the trees which will be impacted, as well as identify trees that could be retained for ecological value. The goal for the project was to retain native trees where possible and help maintain the existing natural area surrounding the project site. Trees were removed for several reasons, including poor health, nearing the end-of-life expectancy, unsuitability for area conditions, low ecological value at this site, or their location within the expanded Inlet Park area. 

What happened to trees that were removed?

Removed trees were:

  • assessed for use by local First Nations
  • offered to volunteer groups like TORCA for trail maintenance
  • used to restore riparian habitats on City projects
  • sold for lumber, with profits to the City
  • chipped for mulch or composted into topsoil

What are the details of the restoration planting?

The restoration includes new plantings of trees, shrubs, and understory (layer of vegetation that grows under the forest canopy) around Inlet Park, ensuring no net loss of habitat. Trees have been replaced at a 2-1 ratio. The restoration planting will continue through fall/winter 2024. A map of the restoration plantings is available here.

Contact and feedback

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us:

Project Engineer
604-469-4609