Royal Athletic Park
Victoria, BC
Review by Mike
Royal Athletic Park is the home of the Victoria HarbourCats of the summer collegiate West Coast League. Royal Athletic Park was built in 1967 as a hybrid sports facility just a few blocks from downtown Victoria. The footprint is rectangular, with a baseball diamond at the southwest corner and the playing field extending east well beyond home run distance. This layout accommodates a wide variety of sporting possibilities.
A second grandstand, with a large roof, can be found down the right field line. This is primarily used for “rectangle” sports like soccer, lacrosse and football. Our primary concern is the baseball end of the property. A sturdy, upright grandstand sits behind home plate with bright, red, white and blue bench seating. A press box sits right above to top row of seats.
A massive, cantilevered concrete roof extends way out over the main grandstand, looking alarmingly heavy, like a jumbo jet hovering over a helipad. It serves its purpose well, though. Neither rain, nor sun, nor nuclear missile is getting through that thing. Two sections of hard plastic bucket seats extend down each foul line. On the 1st base side, the seating extends to the outfield, all the way to the football grandstand. On the 3rd base side, they go about as far as 3rd base.
There is ample space behind the baselines, and along the 3rd base line in the outfield, for standing, a couple of additional erector set stands and lots of food trucks. Christian, the very friendly fellow from the front office who gave me a tour, told me that the stadium is transformed during baseball season, with hospitality tents, food trucks and concession stands that give the ballpark a carnival atmosphere. The HarbourCats are a very popular attraction in Victoria.
During baseball season, a moveable outfield fence is installed. I visited in September and they were setting up for a soccer tournament complete with a stage for entertainment. They know how to have fun in Victoria. This is a really nice community ballpark, well-kept, and multi-purpose. I would have loved to experience the game-day festivities and perhaps one day I shall. Thanks again to Christian and the HarbourCats for welcoming me.
2025
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288
Christian, my tour guide, let me take this photo of the walls of his office, showing Royal Athletic Park when it is full of happy HarbourCats fans.
