Sponsorship pitch for regional recreation enhancements

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Fundraising for facility enhancements of the Regional Recreation Centre is still $500,000 short of its goal.
Strathmore Motor Products committed $500,000 in July 2017 to claim partial naming rights and establish an identity as a major community contributor for the facility, setting a challenge to share its legacy with the next contributors that will help reach that $1 million goal. Strathmore Motor Products Recreation Centre will be the name of the facility. Various rooms in the complex, scoreboards, water fountains and the walking track are still available for sponsorship and nameplates.
On Jan. 9, Sharon McCormick and Ray Roycroft, facilitators for the centre, asked Wheatland County council to champion the rec centre’s fundraising efforts by referring sponsors to them. McCormick had written a letter to council suggesting that champions lend credibility, trustworthiness and community recognition, and open doors to potential sponsors.
“County council’s support to champion and open doors to prospective sponsors will ensure the benefits of sponsorship are fully realized, enabling the local and regional business community to invest in a top-class facility and gain recognition within the broader community,” said McCormick. “Our ask for this council is to lend us your support, in terms of making some contacts within the county and within the region at large, with some businesses, or with some prominent families. There are lots of landowners and families in this area that have been here for generations that may see this as an opportunity to align the brand of their family name with the community itself and leave something for the betterment of the community and those who will use the facility.”
She said the funds would also provide future capital reserves to provide upkeep and maintenance for the facility.
They indicated they had three sponsors in negotiations, but did not indicate their financial commitments. In the letter, McCormick stopped just short of asking the county to provide more sponsorship funds.
“In addition, should the county be interested in further support, there are still naming and sponsorship opportunities available,” stated McCormick.
Wheatland County has already contributed $3 million to the building partnership, made with Golden Hills School Division and the Town of Strathmore. They fully expect its current contributions are recognized, and area residents and businesses will enjoy access to the facility.
“We are already a sponsor,” said CAO Alan Parkin.
Roycroft said the facility is about 35 per cent complete. He indicated progress is evident and work continued through the holiday season to maintain the accelerated building schedule. All of the major tender packages are complete and most trade contracts finalized. A recreation manager position is slated by the town, with a view to develop programs.
“There haven’t been any dramatic surprises in respect to the construction,” said Roycroft. “It was recognized in the beginning that some of the enhanced elements of the project were removed at that time, with the expectation that the town would seek additional funding sources to take care of those elements.”
He said school systems aren’t allowed to include things like air conditioning in their gymnasiums. He said enhancements like that are things that make it more comfortable for users. McCormick said it makes sense to include the enhancements as building commences and before it is finished.
An open house was held on Jan. 11 to showcase the facility. With improved provincial and economic predictions, it is hoped sponsors will examine their marketing and community contribution budgets, and step through open doors with commitments, so the enhancements can be completed prior to the grand opening in September 2018.