A formerly well-used grass soccer field in Richmond looks set to be paved over after 26 years.
Known as Honda Field out at Highway 91 and Knight Street, the pitch was open to the public under an agreement struck by the city and the landowner.
However, Sun Life Assurance recently purchased the site and its accompanying warehouse for $23 million and has notified the city of their intention to develop.
Sun Life has made a deal with the city for teams to use the field until the end of the current soccer season next March.
How much of a loss the field will be is questionable, however, as a report presented last week to city councils parks and recreation committee indicated that the field use has waned over the years.
Parks programs manager Serena Lusk said the introduction over time of the artificial turf fields at King George and Hugh Boys athletic parks has led to Honda Field being largely underused.
At the end of the soccer season, the city will have two weeks to decommission the field, taking out any irrigation system parts that can be reused.
