Only Track Facility in District Shutdown
Cowichan School District determined that the only track facility in the district is unfit for competition and is closed. All planned track meets were cancelled and Cowichan Valley athletes were left without a facility to train and compete in.
Community Concern Mounts Due to Lack of Facilities
A task force is formed to research and prepare a development plan for a replacement track. The task force is comprised of representatives from the Cowichan Valley Athletic Club, the local school district the Cowichan Valley Region District, The municipality of of North Cowichan, the city of Duncan and the Cowichan Valley Youth Soccer Association.
Provincial Government Transfers 29 Acre Site on Chesterfield Ave to District of North Cowichan
The Chesterfield Sports Society was granted the site under the condition that it is used for recreational purposes. The Chesterfield Facilities Board, representing local governments, the School District and five sports groups is established to secure the site.
Chesterfield Facilities Board Initiates a Public Relations Campaign to Determine Support of The Community
In Three weeks 2,300 people pledge over $200,000 in materials,services and financial donations. Pledges for funding from 1991 BC Winter Games Legacy Fund $209,000, the Municipality of North Cowichan $200,000 and School District 79 $200,000
Chesterfield Sports Society is Formed and Site Preparation Begins For Phase 1
Planning to create an 8-lane running track and multi-purpose infield commences.
Rotary Club of Duncan Pledges $75,000 Over Three Years
The Rotary Club of Duncan donates $25,000 in 1996, $25,000 in 1997 and $25,000 in 1998.
Long-term Lease for the Sportsplex is Signed and More Donations Received
Municipality of North Cowichan signs a 25 year lease on the property + $30,000 is received from Ceevac Track & Field
Infield is Ready for Public use in the Spring and Track is Covered with Asphalt in September
Public and sporting group usage of the facility begins. Community joggers, walkers and atheletes train daily on the track. Soccer, field hockey, field lacrosse and flag football teams use the field for league play and practices.
First Annual Cowichan 12-Hour Relay was Held and Succesfully Raised $38,000!
Prior fundraising was truly a remarkable community effort with contributions coming from a variety of sources including local governments, the School District, service clubs, sports groups, small businesses and the general public
Rubber Surface Applied and Lines Painted on Track
The cost of this phase was $230,000 and was funded as follows: Community Spirit BC Millenium Grant $50,000; CSS and 12 Hour Relay $100,000; Municipality of North Cowichan $90,000.
Project Renamed the Cowichan Sportsplex
Phase 1 of the Cowichan Sportsplex Project is Now Complete
Our community was succesful in raising the funds to acheive this monumental goal. Due to the generosity of local contractors and businesses, this project was completed $500,000 below budget at a total cost of $1.1 million.
Ceevac Track & Field Club Hosts the First Cowichan Valley Track & Field Meet Since 1989
Cowichan Sportsplex now hosts major sporting and non-sporting events. We have become a highly sought after community event venue including Canada Day Celebrations, Beverly Corner Show & Shine and the Cowichan Highland games
Application to Canada-BC Infrastructure Program Submitted for Total of $1.6 Million
The request was submitted for construction of the artificial field hockey pitch.
Appreciation Event for the Duncan Rotary Club
Duncan Rotary Club was invited to the Sportsplex for a barbecue in appreciation for the immense amount of financial support. New signs are unveiled and the trail is officially dedicated.
Cowichan 12-Hour Relay Brings in Gross Proceeds of Over $65,000
Phase 2 of the Cowichan Sportsplex Project Begins
Lacrosse Box construction begins with site preparation and pre-load application.
Cowichan 12-Hour Relay Grosses Over $94,000
Stu Pitts Challenge campaign also begins to raise funds for multi-purpose tournament facility.
Kiwanis Club of Duncan Donates $10,000
The funds are used to build a storage building for the society and member sports association.
Additional $30,000 Donated to the Sportsplex
An anonymous donor gifted us $30,000 dollars to put towards Project Turf. The project has now reached $479,000 in funding and will be used to build an artificial turf field on site.
Two Legacy Sponsorships Contributed Towards the Sportsplex
Two Legacy Sponsorships of $75,000 are received from the Carson and Mckinnon Families for two of the three ball diamonds.
$75,000 Dollar Gift Received
Island Savings Credit Union and Peter Baljet GM make a $75,000 contribution and become Legacy sponsor for third baseball diamond
Donations from Institutions Received to Continue Funding Us
875,000 received from the Canada BC Infrastructure Program for artificial Hockey Pitch. $480,000 is received from Softwood Industry Community Economic Adjustment Initiative. Further Contributions include: Country Grocer $37,500; CIBC $25,000; Pacific Energy $50,000; Weyenhaeuser $75,000.
$2 Million Dollars Pledged for BC Senior Games
Province of BC announces $2 million in funding to ready the site for the BC Senior Games.
First Bookings of the Lacrosse Box AKA the “Weyerhaeuser Thunder Box”
Sportsplex is a Major Venue for the BC Senior Games
John Ferreria Field Grand Opening
John Ferraria Field was opened with a grand opening celebration acknowledging the Ferraria/Cameron families and the Canada BC Infrastructure program for their financial contributions.
Lights on the Ball Diamonds, Track and Lacrosse Box Are Now in Operation
9th Annual Pacific Energy 12 Hour Relay brings in $54,000
A portion of this funding is set aside to build the first playground on site at the Cowichan Sportsplex.
Bev Lashman Playground is Installed
A new playground is built at the Cowichan Sportplex thanks to our community’s help. The grand opening will be held later in the year.
10th and Final Annual Pacific Energy 12 Hour Relay brings in $54,000 to the Cowichan Sportsplex
The final Annual Pacific Energy 12 Hour Relay included a soccer tournament, ball hockey tournament, and slo pitch. A portion of the money raised at this year’s event will be used for fitness trail equipment.
New Sponsorship Program is Introduced to the Sportsplex
The Medallion Sponsor Podium presents 3 Medallion Events and sponsor opportunities ranging from $600 to $7500!
Cowichan Sportsplex Receives Grant From Olympic Paralympic Live Sites Program
This grant funds a portion of the Tournament Annex at the ball facility and portable staging for events in the future. Other grants fund the upgrade and beautification of the parking lot.
Cowichan Sportsplex is a Major Venue for Cowichan 2008 North American Indigenous Games
Grand Opening of the ActNow BC Seniors Park
The outdoor fitness equipment was funded by the Municipality of North Cowichan and the Province of BC. This is the beginning of the development of our fitness circuit path.
Weather Shelter Over the Entrance to John Ferraria Field is constructed
This was made possible by a donation from Laura Ferreira and family.
Legacy Fitness Circuit is Created
With funds from our community and a matching grant from the Government of Canada, we created the Legacy Fitness Circuit in commemoration of the City of Duncan’s 100th Anniversary.
CVRD Voters Poll on Cowichan Sportsplex
Voters in the CRVD, Town of Ladysmith and Town of Lake Cowichan were asked if they supported funding the Cowichan Sportsplex. CVRD voters from Areas A, C, D & E voted yes while the remaining areas, Lake Cowichan and Ladysmith voted no. This resulted in decreased funding for operating from the CVRD, but were compensated though the City of Duncan and Municipality of North Cowichan.
