Just in time for summer, people of all ages and abilities now have a new recreation space where they can meet, play and compete in the capital region.
On Sunday, officials in Sooke marked the grand opening of a new $1.3-million sport box, found along Phillips Road and built to accommodate activities like lacrosse, ball hockey and roller sports.
The district says it will maintain the surrounding trails and park while its recreation partner, SEAPARC, which operates a leisure complex down the road, will run the multi-use box.
Open dawn to dusk, access is free for general use, and the facility is also available for bookings, according to SEAPARC’s website.
Thanking a collaboration of local, provincial, and federal partners, Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says the sport box will “bring neighbours together and be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Premier John Horgan attended the official opening and echoed Tait, applauding the project and saying it will serve the district’s growing population.
“Sooke is a beautiful community to live in and raise a family, and we are seeing more and more people moving out here for that reason,” added Horgan.
“Sooke has waited a long time for this new community sport box, which will be a hub for sports and recreation for people of all ages for many years to come.”
It was back in 2015 when SEAPARC identified the community need for an outdoor boarded multi-use sports box as part of its Strategic Plan.
The district says the box was funded by an $892,778 Canada Infrastructure Community, Culture and Recreation Program grant and a $400,000 contribution from the District of Sooke Amenity Reserve Fund.
Find more details online here.
