Inter River Delivers International Quality Pitch
North Vancouver's Inter River Fields Host CONCACAF Gold Cup Training for the Honduran National Team
By Nathan Wade, President, Western Canadian Turfgrass Association
The District of North Vancouver recently had the unique honour of preparing its Inter River sports field complex to host the national soccer team of Honduras as they trained for the prestigious Gold Cup. This opportunity not only showcased the district's commitment to excellence in turf management but also highlighted the rising standard of municipal sports fields across British Columbia.
At the heart of this achievement was Nick Barbour, Supervisor of the Turf Crew for the District of North Vancouver. Under his leadership, the Inter River facility was transformed into an international-quality pitch that met the exacting standards of CONCACAF and the Honduran national team. This was no small feat - it required precision, dedication, an incredible amount of collaboration and a fundamental understanding of professional turf management and international standards.
Nick's leadership has cultivated a team culture where excellence is the norm. Working alongside key employees Mike Howie and Darryl Jackson, Nick and his crew made several key cultural practice adjustments to meet the international requirements. These included:
- Daily mowing with a fairway reel mower at a height of 1 inch to ensure uniformity and playability.
- Thick Cut Rolled Sod installation over all skinned areas to meet exact field dimensions.
- Precision mowing patterns marked and measured to align with CONCACAF standards.
- Moisture management by the irrigation team, including daily monitoring and precision hand watering to maintain optimal firmness and turf health.
Putting on an event of this calibre requires immense collaboration and support from many individuals and organizations. Local equipment supplier Oakcreek Golf & Turf played a key role by supplying the Toro Reelmaster 5410-D used to maintain the field. Additionally, Northlands GC generously provided a turf sprayer and their expertise to apply a liquid nutrient treatment to the pitch prior to use--ensuring the field was in peak condition for the Honduran team's arrival.
While I was there and taking a moment to try re-learn my laser mowing game with what I'll call mediocre success, one thing stood out: the demeanour of the crew working under Nick. After more than 30 years in the turf industry, I can confidently say that I know a "dialed-in" crew when I see one. The laughter and camaraderie among the District of North Vancouver's turf team were unmistakable signs of a healthy, high-functioning workplace.
We all strive to push the boundaries of what is possible with the resources we have, but creating a long-term, positive working culture is one of the greatest achievements any manager can aspire to. The atmosphere on that field was a testament to leadership where excellence is not just expected but enjoyed.
The Honduran national squad "Fell in love" with the pitch and made sure to thank CONCACAF and DNV Parks team for the excellent playing surface, Nick placed the crew front and center to ensure their efforts were recognized and very appreciated.
Sharing in these types of unique experiences is part of helping our organization work toward our shared strategic goal of "Enhancing professional turf management development", and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to participate and learn more about international soccer pitch standards through this experience.
This project is a shining example of how municipal parks departments are evolving. With more trained turf technicians entering the municipal field, we are seeing a tangible rise in the quality of sports turf across the province. Municipalities are increasingly recognizing the value of professional turf managers, and the results are evident in the exceptional playing surfaces now available to community user groups.
The Inter River project is more than a success story, it's a signal of a broader trend. As municipal teams continue to embrace professional standards and innovative practices, the future of community sports fields in British Columbia looks greener than ever.
