New community facility sneak peek
By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter
Doug Taylor Photo
“We toured around the grounds and talked about what the site is going to look and feel like once it’s finished. We went inside and we toured around the SMP Sports Centre and then we went into the school and talked about some of the shared features with the school, the community spaces and what it’s going to look like when it’s done,” said Tracy Simpson, director of community and protective services with the Town of Strathmore.
The George Freeman School, which will house students from Kindergarten to Grade 9, is scheduled to open on Sept. 4 of this year and has just shy of 200 kids registered so far, with a total capacity capping out at 500.
Due to the proximity with the new sports centre, the school will house more programs geared towards physical education, along with volunteerism and environmental stewardship.
The SMP Sports Centre is set to open around the middle to end of September. It will include several features such as a full-boxed turf lacrosse field, roughly the size of an NHL hockey rink. There will also be a smaller turf futsal (small sided soccer) field along with two gymnasiums, one which will be used by the school and the other used by the community. On the second level of the sports centre will be a four-lane 200-metre indoor walking and running track – now known as the Strathmore Sobeys Indoor Track.
The sports centre is the result of a partnership between the Town of Strathmore, Wheatland County and Golden Hills School Division, which chipped in $5 million, $3 million and $2 million respectively.
“It’s the first time all three partners have worked together so we’re really proud of that,” said Simpson. “I think one of the benefits of this partnership is that we got to do this, it is an opportunity that only came out of partnerships. We wouldn’t be building this facility at this time had it not been for this partnership agreement.”
Following a community survey in 2010, an indoor walking track was the most requested facility.
“People have been wanting a space to walk safely during the winter indoors for a long time. And having the lacrosse and soccer fields and community gymnasium space is a first in Strathmore,” said Simpson. “It just gives another opportunity for winter activity for kids, families and community members in Strathmore.”
The facility will be open to all, with memberships available along with drop-in access and rental opportunities.
Currently, the facility is in the drywall stage. Simpson said more tours will be arranged when the painting and flooring is underway so partners and sponsors can view the progress.
The Town of Strathmore recently launched a “first campaign” which runs for the remainder of the construction process.
“Every time we have a ‘first’ in terms of the facility we are going to be celebrating with some online contest or game,” said Simpson. Information is available on the town’s social media and on their website.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available as well; contact Sharon McCormick at sharon.mccormick@strathmore.ca or call 403-361-2102.