Summer Collegiate
Construction underway on upgrades for safer Serauxmen Stadium
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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April 21, 2026
VICTORIA, B.C. — Practical power, provided — thanks to Emery Electric.
The Victoria HarbourCats are proud to recognize local company Emery Electric, a proud local business founded in 1930 by Ernie Emery and now overseen by Derek Emery.
What is this recognition all about? Well, working with the HarbourCats and the City of Victoria, Emery Electric has provided a major power upgrade to what is known during the baseball season as Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park — one that brings significant environmental improvements.
Emery Electric will be a key part of the HarbourCats season, helping to highlight “Emery Electric electric plays” by the home team, and the WCL All-Star Game Festival’s home run derby, featuring former Blue Jays star outfielder Kevin Pillar, will be referred to as “Powered by Emery Electric.”
“What was completed by Emery Electric earlier this year is a significant piece of quality work and infrastructure improvement we are proud to have put in place — and it will bring enhanced service capacity to all who use the City-owned facility,” said Jim Swanson, Managing Partner of the HarbourCats. “There should be no more brown-outs in that area. Derek and his staff are so community-minded, it’s hard to describe.
“We can’t yell ‘THANK YOU’ loud enough. It’s a big addition for the City, no cost to taxpayers, and we are proud to help contribute.”
In short, the work will provide power for the equivalent of four food trucks along Caledonia Avenue — a cabinet housing 4x30amp, 120/208 volt, and 4x15amp, 120 volt was installed in the off-season. That means generators and various fuels, and the associated hum of the engines, can be removed from the park (gas and diesel prices these days, anyone?).
Cup-A-Roni is one of many food trucks operating during HarbourCats games that will benefit from the power upgrades installed during the off season.
Emery Electric is nearing 100 years of serving Victoria and indeed all of Vancouver Island in commercial, industrial and marine electrical contracting.
The HarbourCats have been the main user of Royal Athletic Park since 2013, the longest continuous single user group in the history of the facility, which opened in May of 1908. The HarbourCats have contributed many improvements including dressing room upgrades, the movable fence, and enhanced seating areas, all with no taxpayer burden.
The HarbourCats begin their 2026 season on May 29th with a visit to Portland and then return to Victoria for the Home Opener against the Edmonton Riverhawks on Tuesday, June 2, 6:30 pm.
Season tickets, single-game tickets, 12 and 32-game flex packs are now on sale at harbourcats.com/tickets or at the HarbourCats office at 1814 Vancouver Street.
Tickets for the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14th are currently available in a package that also include tickets for the WCL All Star Game that will be held on Wednesday, July 15th and feature the top players in the league. Prices for the package start at $40 for General Admission seats to $85 for field level Diamond Club Seats, and can be purchased ON-LINE, or by visiting the HarbourCats office at 101-1814 Vancouver Street, just around the corner from the stadium.
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