A collaborative effort between several groups culminated last month in the restoration of ball diamonds that had fallen into disrepair in recent years.
The Olds Rotary Club, in partnership with the Town of Olds, Chinook's Edge School Division and the Olds Special Olympics affiliate, restored diamonds at Ecole Deer Meadow School to playing condition after a year's worth of work. A softball game was held on Aug. 19 to celebrate the completion of the restoration work.
The Rotary club spearheaded the project after it was approached in the summer of 2012 by the Special Olympics because that organization had no adequate places to play, said Brian Beal, community funding chairman with the Rotary club. Rotary then approached the school and the town to see how they might be able to work together on the project.
Rotary spent about $8,000 to $10,000 on purchasing 19 cubic metres of shale for the infields, putting in benches and a bleacher. The school had fencing and a backstop installed and it also helped bring in some shale as well. The town graded the fields once the shale was delivered. The town also arranged for weed control at the diamonds and installed benches.
“Something that was in a state of un-use became two basically brand new diamonds that, one, Special Olympians could carry on their program and two, the school system can use it and three, now the town's going to maintain them,” Beal said.
Beal said Rotary is always interested in assisting groups when a need is demonstrated.
“Rotary jumped in when there was a need. Working with the Special Olympians is always a wonderful event,” he said.
Randy Wiberg, principal of Deer Meadow School, said while the school and the school division's assistance on the project was minimal, he is appreciative of what the town and Rotary were able to do for the benefit of not only the Special Olympics, but students and the community in general.
“It's a positive legacy for the (community),” he said. “They will get a lot of use (by students).”
Kelly Giesbrecht, the town's parks and facilities foreman, said as a result of the town's involvement in the project, it will now maintain and manage scheduling for the diamonds. He said the project was a good opportunity to partner with community groups to expand the community's facilities. While the diamonds aren't up to the standards most teams require for games, they can practise there. Prior to the diamonds being refurbished, Giesbrecht said many teams were going out of the community to practise.
“There's a dire need for diamonds. This allows a few more teams to practise,” he said.
Karen Mengersen, chair of the local Special Olympics affiliate, said when the group started using the field three years ago, the field was in such disrepair that when it rained, the shale became a mess.
“We now have a place to do all of our ball games. It's just been fantastic,” she said, adding that it was good to see all the groups come together to benefit the community.
The Special Olympics baseball program runs once per week from the beginning of May until the end of August.
