PHASE 3 AT THE PARK BEGINS – ARTIFICIAL TURF is going in at MEGlobal Athletic Park
If you happen to drive by 5644 – 56
th Avenue in Lacombe, you will see a couple big piles of dirt next to where the soccer/football field used to be at
MEGlobal Athletic Park. The former field is a big hole and everyone at the L.A.P.A. could not be happier. Construction on Phase 3 of the project to provide Central Alberta with one of the best outdoor sports facilities in Alberta is under way!
The first two Phases of the project saw the construction and installation of a fieldhouse including large dressing rooms, coaching and meeting rooms, public washrooms and concession, viewing suite and media tower, as well as lights, park entrance/ticket building, bleachers and a new score clock. The cost was $1.7 million dollars, of which over 50% came from private fundraising, business donations, and corporate sponsorship.
Phase 3 begins with the installation of artificial turf, and will be completed when it is surrounded by a regulation running track with rubberized covering. The installation of the turf began with the excavation of the field.
"It is like building a road under where the turf will go", says the L.A.P.A. project manager Wayne Gustafson of Williams Engineering, who is donating his company's efforts. "It is a solid base with grading and irrigation and that is our biggest cost". Phase three will cost between $1.9 million and $2.7 million depending on costs and fundraising. It will be split into three minor phases of construction. Gustafson continued, "After the base is done, and the turf is installed, the curbing for the track is the next step, and then the asphalt track, and finally the rubberized covering."
The L.A.P.A. has secured funds through donations, work-in-kind, and through term financing to ensure the turf is installed as early in 2012 as weather will permit. May 15th is the target in order to maximize 2012 usage. The track will depend on further fundraising. Delays in completion may also drive up project costs.
The largest financial supporter so far for Phase 3 is Lacombe County. "The County continues to be a big supporter. They originally pledged $300,000 work-in-kind to the project, of which only $40,000 was used on the first two phases plus their initial cash contribution of $100,000", said Darren Gagnon the L.A.P.A. Marketing and Fundraising Chairperson. "Lacombe County is doing their remain pledge of $260,000 work in kind for phase three, plus the additional $200,000 cash donated to this phase of the project, and the work in kind value is probably much greater seeing they are assisting the L.A.P.A. to coordinate the construction. They really get it! They see the potential of the project, and how so many communities and schools in the area will access the facility for so many different sports and events. They see the benefit of the people coming to the facility which will showcase our community and continually stimulate the economy. They share our association's vision."
Even this support is not enough. Gagnon continued, "Phase 3 will end up being about 75% non-government funded. We hope to confirm a grant from the Provincial Government, but the rest is coming from the community and corporate sponsorship. Our next big fundraising drive will be from January 2 through end of March in 2012. We have our original supporter, Wolf Creek School Division, who donated the land where the park sits, supporting us for this drive. We hope to team up with regional schools to joint fundraise. We share the funds raised, and in return all the kids get to use a state of the art facility; again, a win-win for our community."
To date, MEGlobal Athletic Park has played host to local minor sports, but has showcased a Senior Men's National Football Championship Game, University of Calgary Football Camps, a Field Lacrosse development camp, and a exhibition football game between the U of C Dinos and the U of A Golden Bears. "And there will be a whole lot more to come once the turf is installed", added Gagnon.
The L.A.P.A. does have an urgent need for some work-in-kind donations right now. Association Chairperson Don Gustafson explains, "Trucks and drivers! We need to move the dirt away and haul in pit run. We will take donated pit-run also. For every donated load trucked out, we pay for a piece of the project. This is how this project has succeeded so far, like an old barn building where everyone who cares came and donated a day's work. That's how a lot of phase one and two were completed, everything from carpenters and electricians to landscapers and handymen joined together. The more work donated, the less cash we have to fundraise."
Details how individuals or companies can help with the project are on the association website. There are multiple forms of recognition provided for all contributors.
The L.A.P.A. will be confirming which artificial field company they will be using within the next few weeks. Look for another announcement when this is confirmed.
For further comments please feel free to contact LAPA Chairperson Don Gustafson - 403-782-2580.
For additional information about the project, contact
Fred Knip
Past Chairperson - Lacombe Athletic Park Association
403-782-0000 knip@telus.net
or
Darren Gagnon
Marketing and Fundraising Chairperson – Lacombe Athletic Park Association
403-358-8515 or dgagnon@lacombeford.com
www.lacombeathleticpark.ca