Extending game nights
Greenwood to install lights at soccer field, add green space and upgrade trail with provincial grant
Soccer players will be able to play later into the evening in Greenwood this summer after lights are installed at the community’s field.
Village officials are working to finalize project details after recently receiving a $500,000 grant from the province. They also want to add a green space for all residents to use and enjoy and improve the trails. All three components are in the same area.
“We want our trails to come into the Civic Centre and we’re hoping to have an area where people can gather,” said Brian Banks, Greenwood Village Commission chairperson.
Banks said there has been a call for lights at the field for several years.
“There has been an increased use in the field,” he said, noting West Kings District High School and local soccer clubs use the facility. “There’s lots of demand for that field.”
And when games are being played, the action can go well into the evening.
“It’s difficult to play when it’s dusk and then you have trees on the west side casting shadows,” Banks said.
While some of the project’s details, including timelines, have not been finalized, Banks said the village wants to get the lights installed as soon as possible, noting days get shorter after June 21.
“We want to have these in place for when the days get shorter so that the soccer teams can be playing (later) in the evenings.”
He said he didn’t anticipate the construction would have an impact on the upcoming season. Once installed, more tournaments would be possible, creating spinoffs for local businesses.
Banks said it also wants to improve accessibility by adding an asphalt pathway from the parking lot to the viewing area.
“We’re being really diligent on designing access to the soccer field to make it accessible,” he said.
The funding is from the province’s recreational facility development grant program.
The province announced about $14.5 million in March for 19 community groups, municipalities and not-forprofit organizations to develop and improve recreation infrastructure.
“I’m very pleased to see this investment in our community,” Kings West MLA Chris Palmer said in a news release. “Sports and recreation bring communities together and makes us stronger.”
The Annapolis Valley Ridge Runners received $75,000 for trail grooming equipment while the Digby Area Recreation Commission received $300,000 for its splashpad project.
Banks said the village has commissioned studies to connect the trails in Greenwood into a loop. Village officials would also like to see Greenwood's trail connect in the future to the Harvest Moon Trail, which runs from Annapolis Royal to Grand Pré along the former railbed.
“We have to make a trail across the Annapolis River to get in here,” Banks said.