Background
The playing surface of the soccer field at the Cole Harbour Common is due to be restored after being damaged over time. Recognizing that the field and the adjacent areas are frequently flooded and can stay soggy for a long time, municipal parks employees suggested using the soccer field restoration project as an opportunity to improve how stormwater and runoff are managed in the area.
The original concept for stormwater management at the soccer field was to build underground stormwater storage. Early investigations of underground stormwater storage options for the field revealed conditions that would make construction and long-term maintenance difficult, time-consuming and costly. As a result of the investigations, construction at the Cole Harbour Common was delayed by one year to give the project team time to explore nature-inspired and above ground design options to manage stormwater. The restoration of the soccer field playing surface will go ahead as planned, and a timeline for the next steps of the stormwater management component will be shared after the initial design work is complete
Improvement for your community
Playing sports on wet or soggy fields can cause a lot of damage to natural grass fields and wet, uneven and slippery surfaces are risky for athletes and facility users. Improving how stormwater is managed in and around the soccer field, the nearby track and its interior playing field will help these community assets dry faster, keep them drier for longer and reduce future damage to the fields and track from water logging. These improvements will ensure long-term maintenance is attainable and the field stays useable.
Municipal employees with consultants from RV Anderson & Associates are seeking feedback from the community and facility users to better understand how the soccer field, the track and the multiuse field are used and how the community would like to use the space in the future to inform an initial design.
Once the initial design has been completed, the project team will return to the community to share how the design was influenced by the information shared during the engagement period, the next steps for the project and project timelines.
The scope of this project is limited to the soccer and multiuse fields, track, and open space around these area
Field flooding in February 2026
Track around soccer field flooded and over grown due to stormwater
Track flooded on a nice day after stormwater accumulation
