Local athletes will have a second artificial turf to use in the fall of 2011.

On Monday, city council directed staff to start planning for the development of a second artificial turf field. The project has a $2.18 million budget.

The City of New Westminster had applied for a federal grant to assist with funding a new artificial turf field, but that funding wasn't approved. If it had been approved, the city had planned to convert the Queen's Park South field to an artificial turf field plus baseball and softball facilities.

"That was an ideal situation," said Coun. Lorrie Williams. "Since we can't do that, we will pick another venue. We haven't settled on it."

Coun. Jonathan Cote said the four main locations being considered are Terry Hughes, Hume and Queen's parks, as well as the gravel field near Canada Games Pool.

Cote said the city's parks and recreation master plan identified a shortage of artificial turf fields and recommended that an extra four or five fields be built.

"There is justification to move ahead," he said. "Since we are so tight for space in New Westminster, these type of fields are able to accommodate so much more than the regular grass fields."

A staff report states that consultation with field user groups will begin in September, as will technical analysis at the preferred sites. The proposed timeline indicates that council will approve the project in December 2010, with detailed design and construction tenders to follow.

"If you are building an artificial field, you have to test the soil, you have to do all sorts of things," Williams said. "Parking is another issue. There will always be cars."

Construction will start between April and August 2011 and the project will hopefully be completed by September 2011.

Cote said the city had hoped to be able to build a sports complex at the high school site, but it doesn't appear there is going to be enough space at that location to accommodate several fields. Staff recommended the city proceed with a new artificial field at a different location.

"The main purpose of the consultation will be to find the right location that will serve the needs of the people who are going to use it," he said. "There are pros and cons with each one."

Royal City Youth Soccer has repeatedly urged the City of New Westminster to create another all-weather field in New Westminster. The city's only existing artificial turf field is located at Mercer Stadium.

Royal City Youth Soccer has received a $300,000 grant for field improvements.