The shovels are in the ground at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
The sports park project was given the ceremonial green light last Friday when dignitaries and community members came together to recognize the beginning of the monumental project.
The plans for the project include the creation of five new ball diamonds (two of which will replace the old slo-pitch diamonds) and three new soccer fields, as well as a gravel trail connecting the new facilities with the Multiplex. The creation of new parking spaces is also planned.
Those elements will become reality in due time, but in the chilly wind of a late fall day last Friday, the focus was on celebrating the realization of a local dream.
“This is a very momentous occasion,” said Athabasca mayor Roger Morrill, who heaped praise upon the provincial government for their $600,000 grant, as well as the Athabasca Soccer Association ($250,000) and Athabasca Minor Ball ($100,000) for their contributions.
Credit was also due to the town and county councils for their support of the project, as well as Athabasca University for providing the land. The slo-pitch association was also recognized for temporarily giving up their ball diamonds while construction is completed.
The mayor found it fitting that a community project like this one would have so many helping hands involved.
“Without (everyone’s help) we couldn’t do this.”
Also on hand for the ceremonial sod turning was Athabasca-Redwater member of the legislative assembly of Alberta (MLA) and recently named minister of infrastructure Jeff Johnson.
“This is an investment in families. I’m really pleased we can pull this together and be a partner,” he said. “This is going to be a real exciting place; another gem in the crown.”
With shovels plunged into the cold ground, the project is one step closer to becoming a reality.
