Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/137861
wcta12jj--rev 6/18/13 11:54 AM Page 1 FINAL WORD BY JERRY ROUSSEAU CITY OF VICTORIA SPORTS FIELD DAY AT fortunate attendees. Also included in this all-day outing was a vendor trade show which gave participants the opportunity to see and test products 'in the field'. A wide variety of speakers were engaged to present the above mentioned topics from both near and far including CGSA Superintendent of the Year, Brian Youell, BrettYoung's Technical Representative, Sean Kenny, Karen Hounsome from Eljay Irrigation, Scott MacVicar from the University of Washington, Stan Kazymerchyk from Kwantlen Polytechnic and several others. The combination theory and practical education program presented was significantly enhanced over 2012 with eight rotating stations. Topics included Basics of Soil Science and Compaction, Nutrient Management, Game Day Infield Prep, Turfgrass Seed Selection for Sports Turf, Pitcher's Mound Building, Mechanical, Moisture and Irrigation System Management and finally Risk Management. 46 WESTERN CANADA TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION IMAGE CREDIT JERRY ROUSSEAU BRIAN YOUELL OF UPLANDS GOLF CLUB ILLUSTRATES SOIL CHARACTERISTICS USING A SPONGE (NO DISHPAN HANDS HERE!) KEN HILCHEY BEING INTERVIEWED BY ISLAND CTV'S ANDREW JOHNSON The vendor show was well received with the following companies taking part: BrettYoung, Island Irrigation and Landscaping, Corix, Tomko, Eljay Irrigation, EMCO, JD PrairieCoast Equipment, OakCreek Golf and Turf, Premier Pacific Seeds, Western Turf Farms, WCTA. According to Hilchey, the event drew 112 attendees which exceeded the original goal of 100. In a note to sponsors afterward, he stated, "I have to admit, it went far better than I expected, but it was what I had hoped for." Even the press was excited (Ed. Note: see the CTV video clip on the event at vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=922776) And what about next year? Hilchey says he doesn't know yet, but welcomes feedback and ideas. "I heard from a few of you on the day of, but let me know what you all think,' he stated. Congratulation to Ken Hilchey and all his staff for a wonderful job! IMAGE CREDIT JERRY ROUSSEAU SCOTT MACVICAR FROM WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY AND FORMER HEAD GROUNDSMAN FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS, DEMONSTRATES PROPER CONSTRUCTION OF A PITCHERS'S MOUND IMAGE CREDIT JERRY ROUSSEAU For the sake of accuracy, there was an educational event held at Blanchard Field in 2012 as part of the WCTA Travelling Road Show program which was also very good, however the Baseball themed RAP Field Day went far beyond the couple hours we spent talking turf the previous year. KAREN HOUNSOME DELIVERS TALK For starters, this year's Sports TITLED 'IRRIGATION – HOW TO AVOID Field Day had sponsors FALLING IN THE TRENCH' including the following: WCTA, VIPGSA, BrettYoung, Direct Solutions, Eljay Irrigation , JD Prairie The sun was shining brightly for the Coast Equipment, OakCreek Golf and first ever, City of Victoria Sportsfield Turf, Island Irrigation and Landscaping, Day held at Royal Athletic Park (RAP) O'Dell Stone Slinger, GPS Turf Drains. on May 8th. Ken Hilchey, Supervisor of Operations for the Parks Division, Anytime an event has enough merit to had everything to do with making the attract funding, it's bound to be a little event a huge success along with several more involved. Sponsorship allowed Parks staff and even some help from for free registration and lunch along ∑ his wife Kristina and daughter Alanna. with over 50 prizes given away to IMAGE CREDIT JERRY ROUSSEAU ROYAL ATHLETIC PARK