May 3, 2021 11:20 AM
From Nanaimo News Now

NANAIMO — Major renovations are underway at Serauxmen Stadium.

Construction has begun to replace and upgrade the outfield fencing at the facility, including a new 16 foot tall centre field fence designed to provide a visual backdrop behind the pitcher for hitters.

City crews will replace the 24 foot tall “Green Monster” fence, which was removed in 2020 due to safety concerns, along with the remainder of the eight foot tall outfield fencing.

“These fencing and netting improvements make Serauxmen Stadium a safer place to play for athletes, enhance the spectator experience and support the overall stadium improvement plan that will benefit baseball and all other users of this facility,” Lorne Goodall, president of the Serauxmen Stadium amateur baseball association, said in a release.

Fencing down the left and right foul lines will be changed to accomodate additional viewing areas while netting will be added to the Green Monster to reduce the chance of home runs hitting people on the neighbouring NDSS Turf Field.

The project is estimated to cost $1.2 million, with partial funding coming from the provincial gas tax fund for community works projects and $150,000 from the Serauxmen amateur baseball association.

Upgrades are expected to be complete by July 2021. Access around the facility will be maintained with flaggers on scene when necessary to manage traffic.

Enhancing the sports zone on Third St. is a primary focus for the city, an initiative which includes development of a medium-sized stadium complex among Serauxmen, the turf field and Rotary Bowl.

In 2020, Serauxmen Stadium upgraded to LED lighting at a cost of approximately $1 million. The project also included a new, bigger scoreboard in left-centre field.

The upgrades come, in part, due to the Nanaimo NightOwls franchise playing out of the stadium during West Coast League play.

The team was scheduled to hold its inaugural season in 2021, however restrictions during the pandemic delayed plans until at least 2022.

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