Runners of Oceanside build ‘dream’ track after 27 years of fundraising

After years of rutted dirt and cancelled meets, Parksville runners finally have a safe, $1.6-million track to call their own.

For years, runners braved an old track behind Ballenas Secondary.

“The old just dirt and grass track, it was so hard to run. It was kind of slippery,” said eight-year-old Sione Ash.

“Elementary and secondary schools here, they’ve had to cancel their sports day for the last three years running because the last track was actually too dangerous to use,” said Mark Desvaux, and organizer with the Oceanside Community Track Association.

Hundreds came together from Parksville-Qualicum with a dream of a community track with cushioning and accessibility ramps, so that Special Olympics athletes could train.

Community members came together and they hosted bottle drives and