West Vancouver Place for Sport

Place for Sport is a partnership between the District of West Vancouver (the District) and West Vancouver Schools (WVS) to replace the existing deteriorating track and poorly draining grass field at West Vancouver Secondary School (WVSS) with a new track and lit artificial turf field. 

The project includes: 

• replacement of the existing track at WVSS with a six-lane, state-of-the-art track, with a synthetic surface designed for the best shock absorption and traction
• an artificial turf field with sport field lighting
• long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, and shotput, with a training area for javelin
• renovated washrooms at WVSS accessible outside of school hours to accommodate the facility

• The project is on land owned by the WVS and the District is the primary funder for the project.
• WVS and the District have entered into a Joint Use Agreement to establish the roles and responsibilities for each party.

• The District will allocate the rental fees to the District’s PFS Amenities Funds (artificial turf or track) to fund the future replacement of the artificial turf.
• WVS contributes $50,000 annually (reviewed every 5 years), to the PFS Amenities Track Fund for future replacement of the track. Any rental fees collected by WVS for the track will be allocated to the PFS Amenities Fund (artificial turf or track).
• Replacement of the Joint Use Facilities
  • i. The District will be responsible for the replacement of the artificial turf.
  • ii. WVS will be responsible for the replacement of the track.

Yes, the Place for Sport facility, including the track, field and training areas can be used by community sport organizations outside of school hours. 

The facility is open daily until 10 p.m. and will operate the same hours as the Ambleside artificial turf field. 

When not in use by local sport organizations, the track may be used by the community for walking, training, and exercise, as it has been utilized in the past.

The lights will be on when the field is in use.

The 2011 District of West Vancouver Sport Field Master Plan recommends the need for an additional artificial field in the community. Combining a new track with an artificial turf infield would support the needs of school students, community track and field clubs, community field sports groups and the greater community recreation needs.

In 2014–2015, the school district and the municipality consulted the community and stakeholders to develop a project scope and study project impacts.

The campaign to raise funds for this project was launched in 2015 by a small group of private citizens starting with a generous donation of $100,000 from the West Vancouver Football (Soccer) Club. Early donations from West Vancouver Schools, West Vancouver Council and the West Vancouver Foundation began a fundraising campaign that has been supported across the community. The donor list today includes almost every public and independent school, numerous community organizations, and a growing number of families and individual citizens.

Although the facility is located on school district land, the Ministry of Education does not provide funding for sports fields. This project has been made possible with funds from the Growing Communities Fund, generously provided by the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs, funding committed by West Vancouver Council, West Vancouver Schools, fundraising and private donations. 

In February 2021, West Vancouver Schools, in partnership with the District of West Vancouver, announced that the running track will be named the Harry Jerome Oval, in honour of one of Canada’s most celebrated athletes. A video of the official naming announcement for the Harry Jerome Oval is available below.

Public open house events were held at the West Vancouver Community Centre Lalji Family Atrium on Wednesday, November 29, and at the West Vancouver Secondary School cafeteria on Tuesday, December 5, 2023.

View the display boards here.