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West Shore soccer fields transformed for Friday's rock concert

Work starts today (July 11) for hundreds of people tasked with creating a venue for 12,000 spectators at the sold out Rock the Shores.

The concert isn’t until Friday but the work starts today (July 11) for hundreds of people tasked with creating a venue for 12,000 spectators at the sold out Rock the Shores.

A small army of 400 were scheduled to begin transforming the soccer fields at West Shore Parks and Recreation into the setting for one of the largest shows ever held on the West Shore. The concert features The Tragically Hip and Sam Roberts as well as local acts Jets Overhead and Current Swell.

The stage itself will be 15.25 meters (50 feet) by 12.2 meters (40 feet) and the concert grounds will be cordoned off using almost 3.5 kilometers (11,000 linear feet) of event fencing.

“This is a unique site with open fields that we need to secure,” said Jamie Tobin, operations manager for Rock the Shores.

Also being installed are 120 portable toilets, including 10 just for the VIP section.

A bike valet service will be available to anyone who rides to the event. All cyclists can enter through the VIP gate.

There is no official concert seating, other than a few tables near the 10 food vendors.

A free water station is available to concertgoers, but all water bottles must be empty before entering the gates.

Rock the Shores runs from 4 to 11 p.m., July 13, on the lower fields of the West Shore Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Hwy. Children under 12 must be accompanied by any adult.

charla@goldstreamgazette.com