OLDS — Town officials say more than $1 million has been raised by local individuals and businesses to enhance facilities at the new Rotary Athletic Park.
The park has been under construction for the past year or two at an estimated cost of $3.6 million.
It’s located off 70 Avenue in the northwest corner of Olds behind Walmart. The 38.52-acre site will contain soccer pitches as well as baseball and softball diamonds and is scheduled to open this spring.
For about three years, a drive has been underway to obtain donations for amenities such as enhanced batting cages, bleachers and concessions at the facility.
Recently, the town received a $37,500 donation from Stirling and Donna McLeod. That brought the total raised before the end of the year to about $990,000.
Town officials say they're still confirming the tally, but it's their understanding the amount raised by the community is more than $1 million.
The McLeods' gift toward the new soccer and ball fields at the park was made to honour and thank former employees of Stirdon Systems Ltd.
The company, set up in 1971 in Olds, developed and produced computer-controlled systems for milling livestock feeds on the farm, as well as grain storage and handling.
“This donation has been made to recognize former employees of Stirdon whose dedication and pride contributed to the success of the business over the 27 years we owned it.
“The opportunity to leverage matching funds offered by Mountain View County made this an ideal time for us to make this tribute on behalf of our Stirdon friends,” the McLeods said in a news release.
In appreciation for that donation, naming rights to one of the soccer fields will be brought to town council to commemorate the legacy of contribution of all former employees of Stirdon Systems.
The McLeods' donation brings the total donated by individuals and businesses in the community as of last month to $987,550.
Mountain View County officials previously announced they’d match donations received by Dec. 31, 2019 up to a total of $1 million.
Fundraising consultant Jordan Cleland has been working on behalf of the town to obtain donations for enhanced facilities at the park. He’d like to hit that $1 million mark.
If any community member, family, foundation or business wants information on how they might structure a donation that gets the community to that goal, they’re urged to get in touch with Cleland. He can be reached at 403-559-6779 or at www.jordanclelandconsulting.com.
