Anyone that has been involved in outdoor sports in Esquimalt over the years knows that wet fields lead to cancellations from November to March and these shut-downs can take a full third out of soccer, football, rugby, field lacrosse, or field hockey season or schedule. At Ribfest, our dream has been to build a facility that will allow our kids and neighbouring kids, to play in Esquimalt over the winter months for outdoor sporting games and practices. The three-phase project encompasses: 1) a synthetic, all-weather turf field suitable for outdoor team sports with state-of-the-art directional LED lighting that does not bleed out into the neighbouring residential areas; 2) a community-based, multi-purpose field house with a workout area, change rooms and an area for spectators and viewing seats; 3) a neighbourhood track/chip trail surface for walking/jogging

For 12 years now, Esquimalt Ribfest has been socking away money in trust with School District #61 harboring this dream and we are a driving force behind this Community Field Collaboration. Esquimalt is the ‘Place of Shoaling Waters’ and the EHS field is built over a stream (now underground) that goes from Vic West all the way into the Gorge. This collaboration includes the Songhees Nation, Gorge Soccer, the James Bay Athletic Association, many other local sporting organizations, the Township of Esquimalt, School District #61, the Esquimalt High School Alumni Association, and the Vancouver Island Aboriginal Thunder Rugby Club.

Esquimalt is the only core Municipality where there is no wet weather outdoor field space so we are due and our kids deserve it!