Riverview group pitches $5.5M turf field project
A community group in Riverview is pitching a 5.5‑million‑dollar plan to build a new turf field and running track at Riverview High School.
The town council heard the proposal on Monday from Friends of the Royals, a registered charity that works on community projects with the school.
President Sean Rollo outlined a plan to replace the school’s grass field and add a full track, grandstands, lighting, washrooms and multi‑court surfaces for sports like basketball and pickleball.
Rollo told the town council that the current grass field often closes in bad weather and limits how much the community can use it.
“The economic impact for something like this is huge,” Rollo said.
“We open up the potential to have various local, provincial, or even national sporting events.”
The group said a turf surface could increase field time from a few hundred hours a season to as many as 3,000, and would support youth sports, school programs and community groups.
Rollo said the project is meant to create a long‑term public asset.
“Something like this creates opportunities,” he said.
“It grows our community and leaves a legacy.”
The estimated $5.5‑million cost covers the turf field, track, practice field upgrades and multi‑court area.
Parking and traffic‑flow changes would be handled separately by the school district as part of its mid‑life upgrades for Riverview High.
Rollo told Riverview council that the group cannot seek provincial or federal funding until the town signals support in principle.
He said similar projects typically involve a mix of federal, provincial, municipal, corporate and public contributions.
Councillors’ reaction and next steps
Councillors asked several questions about funding, long‑term maintenance, school‑district agreements and how other turf fields in Greater Moncton were developed.
They also discussed the town’s 2024 feasibility study, which found that Riverview High is the best location for a turf field.
Several councillors said they want to review that study again, along with background on how similar projects were funded and managed in the region.
The town council also noted that no funding decisions would be made until budget deliberations later this year.
Members asked the staff to pull together the feasibility study, review regional comparisons, and gather any additional info Rollo has to share.
That information will be compiled and returned to Riverview council before any next steps are considered.
