Delbrook and Kilmer Turf Fields

 

Dear Club Members, Supporters of the North Shore Soccer Community and All Sports Users on the North Shore,

We need your support this week!

Last year, the District of North Vancouver voted to convert Delbrook and Kilmer gravel fields to turf. Originally there were three turf fields proposed by staff but an amended motion by Council moved some funds towards the Spirit Trail. The current budget for 2025/26, presented by staff and approved by Council at a recent meeting, does not include Delbrook and Kilmer. The indication is they may not be included for some time.

This is not the first time Council has relegated turf fields to the bottom of their priority list. Inter River has seen several such cuts since it was voted in by Council in 2018. Over the next few weeks, Council will be debating the budget. It is crucial for sports users that Delbrook and Kilmer be included. We are asking members of both our clubs, and individuals who support soccer in our community, to voice your support for this initiative.

Here are the facts:

There are over 6000 youth and 1000 adults playing soccer in North Vancouver. Soccer is the largest participatory sport in Canada.

We currently only have 7 turf fields in North Vancouver. Based on the numbers of players, we have the lowest ratio of turf field to players in the whole of the Lower Mainland.

Population is growing 7.6% across the North Shore. More and more families new to Canada are moving here. High rise developments are planned across North Vancouver increasing density and the need for more outdoor facilities.

Parents are sick of their kids playing on wet, muddy gravel. The addition of these two turf fields would ease the current congestion and allow hundreds more kids the opportunity to practice and play on turf.

Both NVFC and NSGSC are full to capacity with the current number of turf fields available. We are turning kids away from our academy and development sessions and cramming kids onto available turf. Once the World Cup arrives interest in soccer will increase and the situation will get worse.

Why should the DNV build Delbrook and Kilmer now?

Council promised they would

Design plans have already been prepared and shared with NVFC and NSGSC. These will be a complete waste of taxpayer dollars if they are allowed to die.

Construction costs have increased dramatically since COVID and will continue to increase

It will reduce traffic congestion for those parents who currently have to travel across North Vancouver to practice and play

How can you support the gravel-to-turf conversions at Delbrook and Kilmer?

We have organized a petition in support of this initiative at https://www.change.org/buildourfields. Please add your name to the petition.

Express your support for the initiative by emailing all DNV Council members at council@dnv.org.

 

Thank you for your support,

 

Stuart Ince                Emma Gibbons           Nicole Dent
President, NVFC      President, NSGSC       President, NSYSA