After a meeting with The Province, prospects for receiving funding for a complete remodel of Tsartlip’s soccer field and surrounding amenities are bright.
Shown above: A Draft Layout Design of the new Soccer Field.
A new soccer field has been a long time coming for Tsartlip. Despite the current field’s rich history, it hasn’t had any attention in the form of funds or maintenance in more than a decade. Consequently, the field suffers flooding and other access issues. Renovation of the field was identified as a priority by Tsartlip in the Tsartlip First Nation Strategic Plan 2021-2026 and in its 2023-2024 Tsartlip RIRSD Work Plan, and the Tsartlip Stewardship Department is taking tangible steps to ensure the new field comes to fruition.
Earlier this Spring, the Stewardship Department took the first step: collaborating with a team of civil engineering students from the University of Victoria (UVIC) to construct a preliminary design for the project, projecting a completion date of 2026. The proposal helped the Stewardship Department envision and plan for several phases of renovation. The first phase of the project will include not only new, all-weather turf-based fields – reversing the current flooding problem – but also new lighting and bleachers. Future phases of the project will focus on additional amenities such as a concrete walkway, increased parking stalls, public washrooms, concession areas, team changing rooms, and a relocated playground.
Next, the Stewardship Department solicited the community through an online contest, to encourage participation and expand the vision of the project to include elements that would be reflective of Tsartlip’s unique history and culture.
Now, thanks to the work done by the UVIC students and the community’s input, Tsartlip is in a position to hire architectural and engineering firms to complete a feasibility study, conceptual design, and Class C cost estimate in 2024.
The Stewardship Department is also exploring funding options for the project.
Tsartlip Chief Don Tom, Kwul’thut’stun (Vice President, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs) recently met with Deputy Minister Tom McCarthy of the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation (MIRR) and Minister Lana Popham of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports (MTACS) to discuss funding opportunities. Tsartlip requested this meeting in light of the province’s stated commitment to “support initiatives that increase Indigenous participation in sport and improve access to sport and recreation facilities in Indigenous communities throughout the province.”
Shown above, left to right: Regional Chief Terry Teegee, BC AFN, Chief Don Tom, Kwul’thut’stun (Tsartlip, Vice President UBCIC), Honorable Murray Rankin Minister (MIRR) and Honorable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy form a panel to discuss Operationalizing Consent and New Decision Making Models – UNDRIP implementation in BC.
Both Provincial departments expressed genuine interest and overall positivity regarding the project, and together they strategized funding initiatives to bring the project to life.
Popham suggested Tsartlip can work with the Province to secure capital from a community investment fund linked to the FIFA ’26 World Cup Tournament, while McCarthy brainstormed different programs to help draw in funding.
Shown above: Chief Don Tom, Kwul’thut’stun, of Tsartlip First Nation and Deputy Minister Tom McCarthy of Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation meet to discuss sports field at lower Tsartlip Drive.
The Stewardship Department will work with the Ministers to pursue these and other funding opportunities to support the soccer field renovation.
This renovation will create so much more than a place to play soccer. It is a way to help future generations of talented Tsartlip athletes – who will follow in the footsteps of legends such as Jasper and Len Morris, Tua Va’a, John Etzel Jr., Charles Claxton, and Landon Underwood – overcome the systemic barriers to sports participation that Indigenous communities continue to face, such as poverty, racism, and lack of access and opportunity. The facility will provide a dedicated space for youth to engage with role models such as coaches, support health & wellness, and create a sense of community pride. The soccer field and accompanying amenities will be a welcome resource to practice both sports and culture grounded in traditional laws, language, and culture.
To stay up to date on this project and others, subscribe to our newsletter!
