Norbrock Stadium (CFJC Today/File photo).

By Aaron Schulze

Top Tier Turf

Norbrock Stadium and Tournament Capital Ranch receive international awards for turf management

Dec 8, 2021 | 10:40 AM

KAMLOOPS — The City of Kamloops was recognized internationally as the first Canadian municipality ever to win two prestigious Field of the Year awards from the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA).

STMA honoured Kamloops for its management of Norbrock Stadium and the Tournament Capital Ranch. Norbrock Stadium is the 2021 Field of the Year in the Schools and Parks – Baseball category, and the Tournament Capital Ranch was named Field of the Year in the Schools and Parks – Softball category. Norbrock won the same award in 2018.

The award recognizes Kamloops among private and public sector organizations from around the world. Kamloops was judged in areas such as quality of field grooming, unique fertilization processes, and user group partnerships for keeping the turf in optimal condition.

“We compete against municipalities from all over the world and are recognized alongside cities in New York, Texas and North Carolina,” Kamloops’ Parks and Civic Facilities Manager Jeff Putnam says. “Not to mention, we were the only municipality to take home two awards.”

Along with city staff, Putnam credits support from council and user groups, such as Thompson Rivers University, the Kamloops Minor Baseball Association and private baseball and slo-pitch clubs, in sharing ideas for ongoing improvements to the field.

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The city says the fields are overseen by Kamloops’ Park Supervisor Shawn Cook, Crew Leader Mike DeCicco, and parks crew.