It will cost about $2.1 million to build three fields and amenities on leased University of Waterloo land at 440 Westmount Rd.
The property is bordered by Laurel Creek and adjacent to Columbia Lake on land originally expected to be restored to field meadow.
Some in the community were worried about ecological impacts.
"The signs on the land say environmental reserve," Coun. Angela Vieth said.
Vieth voted against the project in past years due to neighbourhood concerns for the Laurel Creek area.
She voted in favour of awarding the construction contract last week at a Waterloo council meeting.
"I'm confident that our staff and the citizens that use the fields will respect the natural areas there when they start using the fields," she said. "It was pretty much a done deal from the get-go, but I think we came a long way to make it better."
Coun. Jeff Henry said the project features more than four hectares of natural area to help address the environmental concerns, while also adding much-needed fields.
"This was a really great win, win, win," Henry said.
Waterloo is leasing 9.3 hectares (23 acres) of land for the project, which includes a 4.8-hectare (12-acre) vegetative restoration area, three natural turf sports fields, washrooms, parking and a viewing area to the reserve.
The original design called for only 3.3-hectares of vegetated buffer area, but Henry said there was a push toward "squeezing every little ounce out of that design to maximize that because it really was a community interest."
In recent years, residents and politicians have called for better sport infrastructure on the city's west side and in the north. A 2012 city study backed up the concerns.
It found the west was disadvantaged with 18 fields, compared to 37 in central Waterloo and 37 in the city's east. The study said they were of lower quality than in other areas of the city.
"It's just right and just to kind of balance out the fields between east and west because the west has really not had too many options in terms of fields," Coun. Diane Freeman said.
She added the site is also convenient to get to on public transit.
Two fields will be lit to allow for later play, but the field closest to Laurel Creek will not be lit up.
About half the planting for the vegetative barrier is done. The fields and amenities should be finished in the fall and the fields are expected to open next year.
"I'm sure I'll be informed if there's any concerns from the citizens," Vieth said.
The total project cost is about $2.9 million, including construction, planting, design and other costs, according to a staff report. Planning for the project has been ongoing since about 2008.
To help with anticipated traffic from the fields and other west side development, a roundabout will be built by the Region of Waterloo.
The Laurelwood Drive extension will meet Westmount between Bearinger Road and Columbia Street. That's where the roundabout will be installed by the Region of Waterloo.
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