In January, full-scale construction is set to commence, converting two Vancouver community parks into professional-grade practice areas for the Federation International de Football Association (FIFA) teams. This significant undertaking comes as the city gears up to host FIFA World Cup 26. The city has also added $30 million to the construction fund to expedite the building of a new $107 million outdoor amphitheatre, which will be ready to host the FIFA Fan Fest, allowing fans to watch televised games.

Vancouver's Parks Transformed for FIFA's Big Event

Construction Beginnings and Host City Details

FIFA World Cup 26 will involve 16 host cities, 48 teams, and 104 matches played in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Vancouver is taking a leading role, with seven of the 13 planned Canadian games being held at BC Place. The city's hosting will start on June 13, 2026, with a group stage game and conclude with a round of 16 knockout match on July 7. Turner Construction has been appointed as the general contractor for preparing the two Vancouver park areas, while Colliers Project Leaders will manage the project.During the games at BC Place, which can seat 54,000, portions of Killarney Park North and Memorial Park South in East Vancouver will serve as practice areas, along with press and conference areas, coach and team facilities, and stands. Both parks have a central field playing area and an outdoor track.

Park Upgrades and Facility Details

FIFA PRESS RELEASE reveals that Vancouver's Killarney Park North and Memorial Park South will be overhauled in 2025 to provide practice facilities for incoming international FIFA teams. This includes adding coaching and team facilities, press facilities, and stands. Tina Mack, the City of Vancouver Parks Board vice-president of planning and park development, stated that the work will involve developing two soccer pitches in the central fields, which are graded, provide drainage, have irrigation, and lights."We are also rebuilding the track," Mack said. Memorial Park has a six-lane rubberized track, while Killarney is a cinder track. Both are quarter-mile tracks. Memorial Park presents challenges due to its establishment in 1926 to honor soldiers from the Second World War. The piping serving the 80-year-old fieldhouses is also being replaced.

Construction Phases and Timeline

The first construction phase focuses on civil engineering, establishing ground works such as installing the necessary infrastructure and lighting requirements at each site. While this is underway, permits for buildings to be sited at the parks are being applied for, with approval aimed for late February or March.The second phase involves above-ground works, such as installing the lighting and the buildings. The largest structures are the team and coaching buildings, which will be modular and capable of being moved to other sites after the FIFA event. The press centre and bleachers are temporary and will be removed after the event.Quotes are currently being evaluated, and there is no figure on cost yet. Turner aims to have work done at both sites simultaneously, and subcontractors can bid on work at one or both sites. The construction team is targeting September for the placement of sod on the grass pitches. In July 2024, the City of Vancouver called for expressions of interest from companies that could provide the sod for the pitches.The third phase will address any additional work needed on the grounds or buildings.

FIFA Fun Fest and Amphitheatre Construction

In addition to the park upgrades, the city is planning a FIFA Fun Fest at Hastings Park, the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) site. Here, individuals can watch match games on the new amphitheatre that is currently under construction.The $30 million approved by the council is slated to expedite construction if needed to meet the deadline for the FIFA event. Walters Group has been awarded the contract for the construction of the amphitheatre in collaboration with EllisDon Construction. As a fabricator and erector, Walters Group will be responsible for supplying the structural steel elements and installing key components of the amphitheatre's steel, timber roof, and stage structure.The outdoor facility can accommodate 10,000 attendees and features one of the world's largest free-span timber roof structures. Designed by Revery Architecture and engineered by Fast + Epp, the design features a starburst arch structure that covers the amphitheatre by landing on only three points. The form is comprised of six-barrel vaulted segments intersecting at diagonal planes, creating a clear span of 105 metres from buttress tip to tip. The timber arched roof will cover approximately 7,200 square metres and is slightly larger than the Richmond Oval completed in 2008.