Update: June 2026

The District of Tofino has received feedback regarding the Wickaninnish Community School Sports Field Improvement Project, including comments related to project outcomes, field conditions, and user experience following construction.

The District appreciates hearing from athletes, parents, coaches, students, and other community members who regularly use the facility. Community feedback helps the District and Pacific Rim School District (PRSD) better understand how shared recreational spaces are being used and identify opportunities to support positive user experiences over time.

The Sports Field Improvement Project was delivered through a partnership between the District and PRSD, with funding support from the District to help enhance recreational and athletic infrastructure for students and the broader community. The project focused on improving the quality, functionality, and usability of the fields while supporting a wide range of school, recreational, and community uses.

Construction began in the summer of 2024 and was originally anticipated to be completed in late fall of the same year. Unforeseen site conditions, including additional rock-breaking requirements and associated geotechnical review, extended the project timeline. Following initial construction, additional time was required for further levelling, seeding, and turf establishment before the fields reopened for play in the summer of 2025. As the owner and operator of the facility, PRSD oversees the ongoing maintenance and management of the fields, in collaboration with the District.

Questions have been raised regarding previous references to levelling the “entire field.” The approved construction drawings focused on a defined project area; however, following completion of the original project scope, the District provided additional contingency funding to PRSD to support further levelling work beyond the original project footprint. Additional levelling work was then completed in areas not included in the original project scope. As a result, levelling work was ultimately completed across the entire field through a collaborative effort between the District and PRSD.

Like all natural turf athletic fields, the playing surfaces require ongoing maintenance and seasonal care, and field conditions can continue to evolve. The District and PRSD continue to meet regularly regarding shared recreational amenities and remain committed to reviewing feedback, discussing field conditions, and working collaboratively to support the long-term functionality and user experience.