Almost $900,000 has now been raised to cover costs for amenities at the new Rotary Athletic Park expected to be available for use by the fall of 2019.
Construction of the approximately $3.6-million project is expected to get underway this summer. It will contain soccer pitches as well as baseball and softball diamonds.
As of late last week, more than $896,330 had been raised for amenities such as enhanced batting cages, bleachers and concessions at the combined 38.52-acre site, which will be located just north of Walmart, along 70th Avenue.
Richardson Pioneer is the latest company to make a donation toward the amenities. The international grain and food processing company with facilities just outside Olds has pledged $75,000.
The town has committed more than $3 million over its 2017 and 2018 budgets toward construction of the park. Plans call for $3.1 million worth of work to be done this year, with another $1.2 million or $1.3 million worth of work undertaken in 2019.
“At Richardson, giving back to our communities is a very strong part of who we are,” said Mike Dezall, director of operations at Richardson Pioneer in Olds.
“Through the Richardson Foundation, we have a long legacy of supporting the communities in which our employees and customers live and work. We are very proud to support projects like the Rotary Athletic Park, which will benefit the community as a whole and leave a legacy for generations to come.”
The Richardson Foundation also contributed $25,000 to the Olds Splash Park in 2015.
“There are many facets to the economic and social fabric of Olds, but first among them is our proud tradition in agriculture,” said Olds mayor Michael Muzychka. “That is why council and I are particularly happy to announce this incredible relationship with Richardson Pioneer.”
Olds Minor Soccer is looking forward to having fields designed and built to play soccer. "Soccer has outgrown all its spaces,” said Olds Minor Soccer Club president Greg Loewen.
“If it's flat and green, we likely put soccer fields there, including several games and practices held adjacent to the local cemetery last year.”
“More playing fields for kids is really welcomed for the children of Olds and surrounding rural areas,” said minor softball and baseball presidents Kyle Craven and Josh Zanolli in a joint statement.
“Our registration numbers have grown dramatically from where they were just six or seven years ago in both boys' and girls' ball. We’re really happy that the town is moving forward with improving the ball fields."
