If you asked the Victoria HarbourCats about their home field, Royal Athletic Park, being named in the 2025 federal budget, the response would be equal parts excitement and disbelief. “We’re excited, but shocked,” said managing partner Jim Swanson, still processing the news. The HarbourCats learned about RAP’s mention in the federal government’s budget outline through a phone call Swanson received Tuesday night. The ballpark was listed under the $51-billion Building Communities Strong Fund, a 10-year initiative administered by Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada that would distribute funding for community infrastructure projects across the country starting in 2026. RAP, which has stood in the same location for more than 100 years, is the only facility on Vancouver Island mentioned in connection to the fund, and one of just four in B.C. “I was first alerted to this being in the proposed federal budget by a local media member,” Swanson said. “We were very happily surprised to see it and to think of the possibilities down the road.” The City of Victoria owns the park, which hosts the HarbourCats of the West Coast League as its anchor tenant. It had been slated for renovations in 2024 with the help of $12.8 million in provincial funding from the Growing Communities Fund. But in July, the city reallocated $1.5 million of that, originally designated for park upgrades, to its community safety plan. Swanson said neither the team nor the city had any prior knowledge that RAP was under consideration for federal funding. “This is in a proposed budget, which hasn’t been passed yet,” he said. “We are dealing with governments where things can change, and where projects often take a really long time. But the initial response was awesome. It’s great to see a city-owned but regional asset recognized as something worth investing in.” If the funding comes through, Swanson said there are plenty of areas at the aging ballpark that need attention. The lights are more than 40 years old, the washrooms and fixtures are so outdated replacement parts are no longer available, and accessibility upgrades are needed throughout the facility. “The lights, the irrigation, the sod, those are big ones. The washrooms need to be redone, the concession equipment is outdated, and the seating is worn. There’s a lot of work to be done to make sure it’s a modern, accessible venue,” he said. He added that the irrigation system and field surface have not been fully redone since the FIFA Under-20 World Cup came to Victoria in 2007. While hopeful about the potential funding, Swanson said timing and coordination will be key, with the HarbourCats set to host the West Coast League All-Star Game in both 2026 and 2027. “If there’s any concern with announcements like this, it’s about the timing of implementation,” he said. “We just want to make sure the park remains usable during baseball seasons and that any work enhances the experience for fans and players.” Swanson said the HarbourCats are eager to work with the City of Victoria to ensure any upgrades strengthen the park’s value to the community. “Our approach is to work closely with the city in a spirit of open communication and partnership,” he said. “Royal Athletic Park is a vital community space. If opportunities come from this funding or any other, we want to help make sure it continues to serve the city and the 80,000 to 100,000 fans who come through its gates every year.” The City of Victoria did not respond to requests for comment on the application process or its plans related to the potential funding.
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