New turf for Oak Bay High playing field coming in July
The removal and replacement of Oak Bay High’s artificial-turf field, which was closed last year after it began shedding its plastic grass blades, is set to begin next month.
The field was covered in November, just three years after it was installed, when it was discovered that it was shedding pieces of plastic into the environment, including the adjacent Bowker Creek.
The turf will be cut into strips and rolled up to reduce the chance of more plastic blades coming loose. Remaining material will be contained and taken to a recycling facility.
In order to avoid use of the nearby Bowker Creek bridge for loading and unloading — and to minimize the risk of plastic grass entering the waterway — Oak Bay staff will take a longer route by using the southeast corner of the field complex.
That will allow the rolls of removed turf to be taken to trucks via concrete paths.
Work is set to start July 15 and be completed by mid-August.
The approximately $600,000 cost of the new field is being picked up by Astro Turf West Distributors, which installed the turf.
“It’s a very rare occurrence that this happens,” Astro Turf managing director Ben Houta said of the turf issues. “We’ve only seen it once or twice in our history with Astro Turf, and that is why we’re eager to replace it right away.”
The field was installed during construction of the new Oak Bay High, with Bays United Football Club paying one-third of the overall cost.
Bays United Football Club board president Howard McElderry said the field is good for the area.
“This field adds such value to our community by creating a space for both students and members of the public to engage in play and physical education,” he said. “It will be great to see players back on the field.”
Greater Victoria School Board chairwoman Jordan Watters said the district is looking forward to having the new turf installed.
Members of the public were the first ones to notice the problem, she said.
“We’re super thankful to the community members who brought it to our attention in the first place and are continuing to be advocates for Bowker Creek and all of that.”