Serauxmen Stadium celebrates 50 years of baseball, community and investment

Residents invited to a special 50th anniversary ceremony at 6 p.m. on July 31 before the Nanaimo NightOwls take the field

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed July 30, 2026 1:15 PM

Summary

The City of Nanaimo invites residents to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Serauxmen Stadium on Friday, July 31, with a special pre-game ceremony beginning at 6 p.m.

The celebration marks 50 years since the stadium officially opened on July 31, 1976, and recognizes its enduring role as one of Nanaimo's premier sports venues and community gathering places. The ceremony will take place prior to the Nanaimo NightOwls' West Coast League game against the Port Angeles Lefties with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Since purchasing Serauxmen Stadium from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools in 2017, the City of Nanaimo has invested more than $5 million into the facility and surrounding site to ensure it continues to serve athletes, fans and the broader community for generations to come. Investments have included new LED field lighting in 2020, a comprehensive field renovation in 2022 featuring new netting and padding, the creation of a stadium plaza for gathering and event making, a new ticket booth in 2024, a paved and lit parking lot in 2025/26, and other ongoing improvements to enhance the overall fan and player experience.

Future projects include a new washroom facility, expanded bleachers and accessibility improvements planned for 2026/27, as well as new bullpens anticipated in 2028.

The anniversary event will also recognize the many volunteers and community organizations whose dedication helped transform the former coal mine site into a celebrated baseball destination. Today, through continued investment, partnerships and community support, Serauxmen Stadium remains a cornerstone of Nanaimo's Stadium District and is home to the Nanaimo NightOwls. Many other local teams play here including the VIU Mariners, Mid-Island Pirates, College prep and the The Nanaimo Coal Miners.

Residents are encouraged to arrive early and be part of this historic community celebration.

Link to Strategic Plan: Creating and improving City of Nanaimo amenities aligns with maintaining and growing current services which is one of the key focus areas from Council's Strategic Framework.

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