City and School Board celebrate reopening of Latham Field

The City of Abbotsford and Abbotsford Board of Education are celebrating the completion of the synthetic turf replacement at Latham Field at W.J. Mouat Secondary School with a grand reopening and special Mouat Hawks football game on Friday, September 26.

Latham Field at W.J. Mouat has been closed since September 2021 due to end-of-life wear. The turf replacement is part of the joint-use agreement between the City and the Board of Education, which was reestablished in April 2024 for the operations and maintenance of the four synthetic turf fields on the school district's property. The upgraded playing surface will support a variety of school and community sports.

"As a Council, we value sport, recreation and active living and the vitality and connection they create in our community," said Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens. "The reopening of the Latham Field at W. J. Mouat Secondary will benefit student athletes and community sports groups for years to come and is a great example of how partnership can create lasting benefits for everyone in Abbotsford."

In addition to the reopening celebration, the day will begin with a special renaming ceremony of the sports complex between W.J. Mouat, Colleen & Gordie Howe Middle School and Matsqui Recreation Centre, where the other three fields will be named in honour of influential and dedicated individuals who made significant contributions to sport and community life in Abbotsford.

"The games, gatherings, and celebrations that will take place on Latham Field and the surrounding fields represent the heart of our community," said Shirley Wilson, Chair of the Abbotsford Board of Education. "Earlier in the day, the Board of Education will rename two of the fields at this location, and City Council will rename the third field. We are grateful for the strong relationships between our district, Mayor and Council, and our community that allow us to create meaningful spaces for youth, and we look forward to concluding this day of celebration with this exciting reopening event at Latham Field."

The community is invited to celebrate the field reopening and cheer on the Mouat Hawks at their game on Friday, September 26, versus South Delta Secondary, starting at 5:30 pm with music, food trucks and more, followed by a ceremonial coin toss. Kickoff for the Hawks football game is at 7 pm. Go Hawks!

For more information contact:

Aletta Vanderheyden
Communications and Public Relations Manager
City of Abbotsford
E: [email protected]

Kristi Ferguson
Senior Manager, Communications and Community Relations
Abbotsford School District
E: [email protected]