It's an eyesore now, but it won't be that way for long.

The old City Park Oval, which has been rendered unusable since construction of the new east approach to the William R. Bennett Bridge, has not been maintained in several months.

Now a large patch of dead, brown grass in Kelowna's preeminent park greets visitors as they cross into the city.

Recreation, Parks and Cultural Services Director, David Graham, says the old oval won't look this way for much longer.

"It's being totally rebuilt. The reason it's brown now is because we're not irrigating it," says Graham.

"It's going to be completely rebuilt and reconfigured as a result of the bridge approach."

Graham says detailed plans for the new sports field are currently being drawn up.

Once those are complete, he says a construction contract will be awarded.

Graham says construction on the new field should begin in the fall of this year with completion in the spring of 2009.

"With a natural grass field, it takes time before you can put people on it. We usually like to allow a full season of growing before putting people on it, so the field probably won't open until the Spring of 2010."

The new sports field will be moved west from its previous location.

Graham says it will be about half a field closer to the lake, meaning the berm to the west of the current field will have to come down.

The reconfiguration also includes a lane way which will run parallel to the highway, allowing for additional parking.

"Down near the tunnel that goes under Highway 97, there will be a loop to provide for a vehicular turn around and also some additional parking."

Graham says a final cost of the project won't be known until the project is put out to tender later this year.