Skip to content

City of Vernon to purchase $75k line painting robot

The new robotic painter will eventually save the city money after four years
sports-field-robot
While the City of Vernon did not specify what type of robot, it will most likely be the Turf Tank, which the City of Penticton have had since 2024.

The City of Vernon is upgrading its line painting abilities, with the impending purchase of a robotic painter for sports fields.

At the Monday, May 26 meeting, council approved the purchase of the painter, at a price not to exceed $75,000.

Funds will be coming from the prior year's unexpended uncommitted balance, which currently sits at $3,843,342.

According to a report to council, the robot will reduce time and labour required to mark fields, improve line precision, and support timely and consistent preparation of fields. 

"The robot comes pre-loaded with the ability to service various sports using GPS technology," said Chris Ovens, the general manager of public works operations with the city. "There are several customization options available."

Ovens also said that it will do a better job than before, in many cases, when there are divots or slopes, due to the low wheel bases of the robot.

The cost-benefit analysis of the robot should provide a return on investment within four years, with a reduction of labour hours, and a more efficient use of paint. The estimated savings will be used to improve parks services.

Currently, the city uses a ride-on line painter, and it will now be retained as a backup in case the robotic system breaks down. 



Bowen Assman

About the Author: Bowen Assman

I joined The Morning Star team in January 2023 as a reporter. Before that, I spent 10 months covering sports in 麻豆精选.
Read more



(or ) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }