Work is underway on a new sandbox on a portion of the kite field in Parksville Community Park.
According to the City of Parksville, the project is expected to be complete in mid-June. The Parksville Beach Festival sand sculpting competition and exhibition will move to the new location.
Council approved the move to a larger venue in February and granted a permit that approved the land alteration and construction necessary to facilitate the new area.
The new, larger site will allow for more spectators and improve mobility access, as well as reduce congestion at main beach access locations, according to a report earlier this year by Blaine Russell, director of community planning and building.
It is located 150 metres from the current competition area and 200 metres from two washroom buildings, according to the city.
The Parksville Beach Festival Society and the sand sculpting exhibition support local non-profits and boost the local economy. The sand sculpting competition dates back to 1982 when the first BC Open was hosted.
The four-day competition now welcomes visitors and sculptors from across Canada and the world, and the sculptures remain on display for five weeks.
The 2025 competition runs from July 10 to July 13 and the exhibition from July 14 to Aug. 17.