$13 million Inlet Park Community Fieldhouse moves into construction phase after Rotary pledge

The City of Port Moody is preparing to break ground on the final phase of its multi-year park redevelopment project for Inlet Park.

Staff provided an update on the status of the project on Jan. 13, informing council that a construction contract had been granted. In addition, the city has signed a contribution agreement from the Rotary Club of Port Moody and finalized facility’s name  – Inlet Park Community Fieldhouse.

“I’m very pleased to share that Rotary Club will donate $750,000 toward the construction of the new fieldhouse,” Mayor Meghan Lahti stated in a press release. “This type of investment in community infrastructure is part of the Rotary’s mission. They work tirelessly to achieve positive change and support a wide variety of projects – including legacy projects like the fieldhouse – that will benefit community members of all ages.”

City staff told council the fieldhouse concept has evolved steadily since its earliest designs were developed alongside the broader Inlet Park Redevelopment Project, which included the recently completed Bob Favelle Field. A ground breaking ceremony is being scheduled.

The total project budget now stands at $13.05 million, reflecting refinements made during the detailed design phase completed in fall 2025. Staff said the budget increase accommodated expanded building floor space, enhanced multi-use capabilities, and priority accessibility and sustainability features.

The construction contract was awarded in December 2025 to Pro-Can Construction Group, and anticipated to start this month, with an estimated 18-month construction timeline.

Throughout the design process, staff said they gathered input from council, community user groups, recreation facility teams, and the Rotary Club of Port Moody, which partnered with the city during the design phase.

Rotary Club of Port Moody spokesperson Ian McPhail described the project as a long-term investment in the city.

“This legacy project reflects rotary’s commitment to initiatives that create lasting benefits and it represents an investment in Port Moody’s future,” McPhail stated. “We are proud to support a vision that will benefit the community for generations.”

In exchange for the donation, the city agreed to provide the Rotary Club with a dedicated space inside the fieldhouse and regular scheduled access for meetings and events through an operating agreement.

The three-storey, multi-purpose facility will include changerooms, public gender-neutral and universal washrooms, storage space, and concession facilities on the ground floor. The second floor will feature a large multipurpose room suitable for meetings, conferences, and events, along with a catering kitchen and additional washrooms. The third floor will include office and meeting spaces, public washrooms, and an outdoor covered viewing deck with bleachers overlooking Bob Favelle Field.

Staff emphasized that accessibility and sustainability were central design priorities. The project has achieved Rick Hansen Foundation Gold certification for accessibility, LEED Gold certification, and Passive House certification for energy efficiency and air flow – standards that exceed typical municipal recreation facility requirements.

Additional environmental features include rooftop solar panels, bird-friendly glazing, mass timber and glulam beam construction, and the use of sustainable building materials throughout the structure.

“We feel the final design provides a highly functional space with a modern aesthetic that integrates well with the surrounding community and provides an outstanding amenity for Inlet Park and Bob Favelle Field,” staff said.

During construction, the city says Inlet Park will remain open wherever possible, though parking availability will be reduced at times. Staff said they will work with the contractor to minimize disruption while maintaining safety for both park users and construction crews.

Council also debated the proposed name of the facility. Mayor Lahti said she was unsure whether Inlet Park Community Fieldhouse fully captured the scope of what the building would offer.

“I just wish we could be a little bit more inspiring in the name,” she said, while agreeing the word “community” needed to be included.

Several councillors spoke in favour of the staff recommendation. Coun. Haven Lurbiecki said the term “fieldhouse” already has traction with the public.

Lurbiecki added she thought the building would be a “gem of Port Moody.”

“It’s a very exciting project that we’ve all been waiting for.”

Coun. Samantha Agtarap also supported the name, noting the city already has landmarks with straightforward titles, such as the Old Mill Boathouse.

“I don’t think this is much of a stretch,” she said. “Maybe that’s just a Port Moody thing.”

Council ultimately voted unanimously to adopt the name Inlet Park Community Fieldhouse. Staff said the name was selected in part to allow for future naming opportunities, while clearly signaling the building’s role as a community hub rather than a single-sport facility.

The fieldhouse is the final major component of the Inlet Park Redevelopment Project. Earlier phases, completed in March 2024, transformed the former gravel Inlet Field into an all-weather artificial turf surface later renamed Bob Favelle Field, added upgraded baseball and softball diamonds, a batting cage, children’s play areas, restoration planting, expanded parking, and infrastructure for future electric-vehicle charging stations.