Nobel Park Softball Field Upgrades

Issue: Concern that a community field is being used by UBC Athletics
The UBC Women’s Softball team currently has no location on campus to train or play games. The required field specifications are different from Men’s varsity baseball and cannot be accommodated in the UBC Athletics precinct. This means the Women’s varsity softball team must travel to Surrey to train. Upgrading Nobel Park would introduce varsity play to the neighbourhood, while continuing to provide community access for recreational use. The community and UNA would gain a regulation softball facility.

Issue: Concern that there will be limited availability for use by the community.

Community access will be maintained, with the exception of games and practice times during the February-June season and practice during September and October (see schedule table below). To accommodate after school use, the field will be available midweek from 3:30 pm onward on varsity practice days. Availability and booking information for the softball field by the community will be available through the UNA’s new recreation booking system, anticipated to be operational by Spring/Summer 2021.

Issue: Concern that construction will prevent community access this summer and fall
Construction for this project will be delayed to allow community use of the field for during the remainder of the summer and fall this year. Construction is scheduled to begin in November 2020 and is anticipated to take 3-4 months with an additional 4-6 weeks to prepare the grass field surface. The field will be inaccessible during the construction and grow-in period. Community access should be available again in June/July 2021 with varsity practice commencing in the fall of 2021. A more detailed schedule will be provided once funding and permitting are complete.

Issue: Community access to washrooms

Portable toilets will be temporarily available during game day weekends, with installation occurring Friday morning and removal on either Sunday or Monday morning. Toilets will be serviced as required during the events. Campus and Community Planning will continue to work with the UNA and Athletics to identify opportunities for permanent washroom facility use.

Issue: Concern that bleachers will prevent basketball play
The bleachers behind the backstop will be portable and only be installed during game weekends (6 weekends total). The bleachers will be installed on Fridays and removed on Sundays. The existing basketball hoop will be available for use at all other times.

Issue: Concern that foul and long balls will put residents and community garden users at risk.
A 40 ft. high minimum netting will be installed along both sidelines to prevent stray balls from entering the community garden and surrounding area.

Issue: Concern that noise levels will rise with the new upgrades
Noise impacts related to varsity use will only occur during game and practice days between 11 am and 5 pm.

Issue: Concern that there will be greater demand for parking
Crowd sizes may vary from approximately 50-100 people. It is anticipated that parking for up to 30-40 vehicles may be needed by attendees. Up to 50 parking spaces are available along Wesbrook Mall near Nobel Park and free parking is also available under the Save On Foods. Staff will monitor parking needs and redirect users as required.