With two artificial pitches on their way, the City of Chilliwack approved lengthening of the planned Exhibition Field turf project Tuesday to provide even more space for local soccer players.

Chilliwack Football Club, the local youth soccer organization, will pay the city $280,000 ($100,000 up front and $180,000 over three years) to have the field lengthened by 27 metres. The expanded area will create mini soccer fields and more practice space.

"The additional field space will benefit all the sport groups that utilize the facility and would increase the practice field capacity to handle another 120-150 players a night," wrote City of Chilliwack parks, recreation and culture director Gord Pederson in a staff report presented to council on Tuesday.

To help Chilliwack FC pay the city back, the club will operate the Exhibition Field concession for the next three years. The city's contract with the previous operator, the Chilliwack Huskers, expired last year. Chilliwack FC has agreed to share revenue with the Huskers during the latter's football games at the site.

Pederson wrote that the scope of concession operation will expand with the installation of turf and increased use of the field.

tolsen@chilliwacktimes.com