Sports Field Status

Check weekly playing conditions of the City's sports fields

The conditions of Burnaby's sports fields change with the weather. When weather conditions are poor, we may briefly close our playing fields. Using fields during dangerous conditions can lead to player injuries and damage the playing surface.

Field status updates

All field types may require closures during periods of extreme weather for the safety of our users and to maintain the quality of these facilities. The decision to close fields for each upcoming weekend is made by noon each Friday from September to March and on weekdays as weather conditions dictate.

Fields remain unusable if they are covered with standing water or snow, if they are frozen or covered with frost or if they are soft. Any damages caused by using the field, clearing snow, etc. under those conditions are the responsibility of the user group. Damage caused by unauthorized snow removal may result in charges and/or fines being imposed.  

Fields will show up as open, closed or user discretion.

Grass fields and gravel fields

• Grass and gravel fields will show up as “open” or “closed” only.  When a field is “closed” it won’t be available for use until staff carry out another inspection and update the status.  

Artificial turf fields

• Artificial turf fields will show up as “open”, “closed” or “user discretion”.  
• When a field is “closed” it won’t be available for use until staff carry out another inspection and update the status.  
• When a field is “user discretion”, it is the user groups’ responsibility to inspect the surface in advance and ensure that conditions for play are safe.  
• On weekends and statutory holidays only, in situations where weather is expected to improve, the Friday field status update may indicate “user discretion” at Burnaby Central, Burnaby North, Byrne Creek and Cariboo Hill Secondary schools. This enables user groups’ to use their discretion to play should they arrive, inspect the surface and ensure that conditions for play are safe.  

Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West Artificial turf fields 

• As Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West is a staffed, gated facility these fields will show up only as “open” or “closed”.  
• When a field is “closed” it won’t be available for use until staff carry out another inspection and update the status.  
• In situations where weather is expected to improve over the weekend, booked user groups’ at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex will be contacted on Friday afternoon to advise if an additional inspection will take place over the weekend. If an inspection is able to happen, and conditions are safe for play on field(s) then those respective fields will be reopened. Note that the 5 fields at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West can become open for play at different rates.   
• For the latest information on Burnaby Lake Sports Complex West only, you can also contact their phone line at 604-294-6047. This line will only be answered when staff are on site. 

Things to remember

• The City of Burnaby does not clear snow from our fields for several reasons:
  • Snow removal, either by shovel or machine, can tear the turf, create excessive wear and shorten the lifespan of the field.
  • If the field is newly replaced, snow removal could void the warranty.
  • If the snow is removed, the crumb rubber is displaced and leaves more crumb rubber in the areas of the snow piles, causing high spots and possible uneven surfaces once the snow piles melt. This can lead to trip hazards and a greater cost for maintenance to repair these areas. In the areas where the crumb rubber is removed, it creates less cushioning which can result in possible injuries.
  • The piles of snow create hazards that players can run into. 
  • Clearing the snow slows down our ability to reopen the fields to user groups as the piles of snow take longer to melt than if the snow was just left as is.
  • If user groups are observed clearing snow from fields, they risk losing their field allotment and may be held responsible for damages/losses.
• Always use your discretion on all Burnaby fields.
• After the allotment, remove the movable goalposts off the field and lock them away.