City Council Plans to put Ball Fields on Maple Ridge Golf Course

City announces plans for new recreation facilities, invites public input

By Neil Corbett
Apr 24, 2025 8:00 PM

Reprinted with permission from Maple Ridge News
https://www.mapleridgenews.com/local-news/city-council-plans-to-put-ball-fields-on-maple-ridge-golf-course-7965630

The City of Maple Ridge announces plans for new ball diamonds at the Maple Ridge Golf Course. (City of Maple Ridge/Special to The News)

The City of Maple Ridge has announced plans for new recreation facilities, and that includes using the city owned golf course land for two ball fields.

The city has been focused on building new recreation facilities on land it already owns.That has led to a plan for the redevelopment of the Hammond site that contains two baseball fields, and the aging Hammond Outdoor Pool.

The plans call for a new indoor aquatic centre and one ball field there.

It also calls for a Larry Walker Field, which is the city's tribute to the Hall of Fame baseball player, and a second field, at the current site of the nine-hole Maple Ridge Golf Course. The city owns the 40-acre course beside the Fraser River, and leases it to an operator.

If the city was planning to build at the golf course, why not construct a new pool and arena there?

Mayor Dan Ruimy explained that geotechnical engineers advise against heavy building there, as it is in the Fraser River Escarpment, and susceptible to slides.

"We looked at all the options," he said.

The mayor walked the site and found it "a special site," and perfect for fields and park land.

"We can do so much there, and bandstands and a clubhouse are not as heavy as a pool," he said. "We have the ability to put more fields there."

"We need more facilities ’ play spaces and recreation spaces," he added. 

Council would like to build a new stadium-style ball field there.

"We wanted something more fitting as a Larry Walker Tribute," explained Ruimy, adding "baseball will be involved in those conversations."

Conversations start now, as the city announced a new public engagement session on its parks and rec plans, running until May 25.

Details of the plan are available at www.engage.mapleridge.ca   

The city issued a press release on April 23, saying the municipality purchased the golf course site in 1971 as public park space.

The transition of this site into publicly accessible, multi-use recreation park space has become a priority, given provincially led zoning changes and plans for the Lougheed Transit Corridor Area, said the city. This will lead to more homes in west Maple Ridge and increased demand for recreation and other city services.

We understand that this change will significantly impact golf course users who have enjoyed this facility for many years, said Mayor Dan Ruimy. Council had to carefully weigh all community interests, and while this was a difficult decision, it allows us to enhance our baseball facilities, honour the legacy of Larry Walker, and expand access to public park space for all residents.

The Hammond Aquatic and Recreation Facilities plan calls for pools, a gymnasium, fitness centre, fitness studio, a multi-purpose room, changerooms, and a cafe. There will be a lap pool, leisure pool with lazy river and tot area, hot tubs, cold plunge pool, sauna, steam room, waterslide and diving boards.

For skaters, the city is planning two additional rinks at Planet Ice, at the Albion Fairgrounds.

An online recreation facility survey will be open until May 25 at www.engage.mapleridge.ca  

There are also upcoming open house events:

- May 3, Maple Ridge Elementary, from 10 a.m. to noon;
- May 6, Maple Ridge Secondary, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.;
- and May 10, Westview Secondary, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.