Fundraising efforts towards an at least $500,000 goal to support "extras" at a proposed new athletic park in Olds got a big boost recently.
While the Town of Olds has committed $3 million over the 2017-2018 budgets to creating more baseball and soccer fields as well as relocating horseshoe pits at a new location along 70th Street, fundraising is needed for added enhancement, said Jordan Cleland of Jordan Cleland Consulting.
Cleland has been retained by the town to "stretch" the municipality's commitment.
The Town of Olds and Cleland announced yesterday a $50,000 sponsorship towards the goal by Dr. Kyle Craven and Dr. Jasmine Gill, owners of Olds Family Dental Clinic.
"This is the new reality for communities that want more and better amenities -- it is with the support and generosity of local businesses that such large scale sports and rec facilities can be undertaken," Gill was quoted as saying in a press release.
Olds Family Dental Clinic co-owner Dr. Kyle Craven volunteers as coach and president of Olds Minor Softball Association and says his business can do its part to get more amenities.
The fundraising venture currently underway will pool funds for "quality added extras" like enhanced batting cages, optimal crowning, bleachers, concession or underground irrigation on the combined 38.52-acre site to the north of the Cornerstone shopping area, Cleland said.
Council has repeatedly been told there's a dearth of playing spaces needed to accommodate the growth in soccer and ball enrolment.
Olds Minor Soccer Club has had to cap enrolment in certain age groups due to the lack of facilities to house them. Registrations in Olds would have topped the 400 player mark in 2015, Cleland contends.
Soccer club president Kim Dunn said in a press release that growth was stunted because of the lack of room.
Olds Minor Softball Association had 102 registrants in 2015 while Olds Minor Baseball Association had 227.
More playing fields for kids and even recreational use spaces for adults of all ages are sorely needed, said Greg Grover, Olds Minor Baseball Association president, in a prepared statement.
"We're really impressed that the Town (of Olds) has set a base line of contribution and created a framework for corporate and individual donors to climb aboard," Grover said.
Cleland says Olds Family Dental's sponsorship "is a substantial amount of money at anytime especially in this downturn economy," adding the gift is very much appreciated.
