This year, residents of Prince George will see upgrades to Spruce City Stadium and Freeman Park. The improvements will focus on replacing and upgrading field lighting at the stadium.
The work is being funded in part by the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), which will contribute an estimated $760,000 toward the total project budget of $950,000.
The initiative stems from the City of Prince George’s 2018 ball diamond and sports field strategy, which aims to refurbish several sports facilities annually.
The city said most outdoor recreation facilities in Prince George were developed in the 1970s and ’80s by local sports groups and are now nearing, or have reached, the end of their service lives.
“Recreation spaces like Freeman Park and Spruce City Stadium are where communities come together, where kids learn teamwork and memories are made,” said Gregor Robertson, minister of housing and infrastructure and the minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “Through the Canada Community-Building Fund, Prince George is investing in infrastructure that will have lasting positive impacts on the community.”
In 2024, the CCBF also supported several other outdoor recreation initiatives in the city. The parks and solid waste division used $760,000 from the fund, toward a total project budget of $950,000, to upgrade facilities and promote continued outdoor recreation.
Improvements included:
- Installing two new dugouts at Gyro Park
- Installing two new dugouts and two bleacher pads at Harry Loder Park
- Installing two new dugouts and two bleacher pads at Freeman Park
- Installing two bleacher pads and a connection path at Ron Wiley Field
Since 2024, the CCBF has contributed more than $4.25 million to projects in Prince George.
That funding has helped support the following:
- Developing a concept plan and detailed designs for improvements to Carrie Jane Gray Park
- Upgrading sports courts at Clearwood Park, Harper Park, Harry Loder Park, Sinclair Park and Starlane Park
- Repairing trails and installing new gates at Freeman Park, Heritage River Trail, Tyner Boulevard and Carrie Jane Gray Park
- Replacing the chiller system at Kopar Memorial Arena to improve safety, reduce ammonia levels and extend the life of the facility
- Installing 844 metres of new concrete sidewalk and renewing parking lots at Elksentre and Royal Lot
- Upgrading aging stormwater infrastructure
“Investing in local infrastructure means investing in people,” said Ravi Kahlon, minister of housing and municipal affairs. “These upgrades to parks, sports fields and community facilities in Prince George are about creating safe spaces where people can connect, stay active and enjoy their neighbourhoods. This is another way we’re supporting communities to grow stronger and healthier, now and for the future.”
