OBSERVER SPORTS |
EDSS has dreams for its field
» School seeking donations to provide enhancements to new playing surface
BY: VANESSA MOSS
Elmira District Secondary School students will be running, punting and tackling on new turf in September when the sports field west of Snyder Avenue opens up.
The regulation-size football field, six-lane red tile running track, and two jumping pits were completed last fall, so now athletes are just watching the grass grow.
“If you’re on it too early, you’re just going to tear it up,” explained principal Peter Rubenschuh.
As well, the current construction of the neighbouring Woolwich Memorial Centre makes the field too difficult to access this school year, said Rob Seeley, Waterloo Region District School Board’s (WRDSB) foreperson for sites and fleet services.
In the meantime, Rubenschuh said steps will be taken to enhance the space.
This process includes adding bleachers, a score clock, a field house and some lights, all of which would benefit the school’s strong athletic program.
“It would be nice to have a place for parents to sit while they’re watching games,” he said.
Although the board looked after the $500,000 bill for the field itself, including the purchase of the former Elmira Raceway lands and the construction of the physical playing surface and uprights, it does not cover any enhancements. As such, Rubenschuh and his staff are asking for the community’s support.
Individuals and businesses are encouraged to donate what they can to cover the costs, including around $10,000 for a score clock and $2,500 per bleacher section. As an added incentive, the school is offering up the field’s naming rights for $50,000.
That donor’s name or logo would be prominently displayed on the field’s welcome sign.
Rubenschuh said he hopes parents, alumni and other area residents will help make the field a special place for athletics to thrive, especially the football program that was reinstated at the school in 2005.
“I think we have a good following from our parent community. [Now], it’s just trying to make it a real community focus.
“With the new recreation complex, with the twin pads and all of that being constructed, it would be really nice to have the adjacent field being really functional and useful for the community and for the school.”
Also on the horizon are ideas about how to update the existing field right behind the school once the rugby, football and soccer seasons are completed. Last March, the board committed $300,000 to that revamping project, which may include using some of the land for parking and better bus turnaround, Seeley said.
“With the track not being needed anymore, we’re trying to come up with something better because we have a shortage of parking.”
Since the new field came in slightly over the original $450,000 budget, around $250,000 will likely go towards the old one, said Art Phelan, WRDSB’s controller of facility services.
A consultant for that task is currently being selected and work should begin this summer, he said.
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