The Rotary Club of Olds presented the Town of Olds with a cheque for $285,000 on Monday, to go toward the Rotary Athletic Park of Olds.
It's the single largest community donation the Town of Olds has ever received, according to community services director Doug Wagstaff.
The park is currently under construction northwest of Walmart. When it opens next year, it will contain soccer pitches, baseball and softball diamonds as well as 10 horseshoe pitches to replace the ones eliminated from Centennial Park.
In 2017, the club committed to raise $500,000 over five years for enhancements to the park such as picnic areas, washrooms, trails, and trees. In return, the park was officially named Rotary Athletic Park of Olds.
So far, the club has donated about $357,000. The $282,500 contribution is on top of $75,000 previously donated.
Construction on the project began last year. The town has committed $4.2 million toward it. Mountain View County council has pledged $1 million in matching funds for dollars collected by the end of 2019.
Money for the club's commitment has come via fundraisers it has held, like its annual golf tournament, last spring's Rotary district conference, held in town and a Community Facility Enhancement Program grant.
Another one of those events will take place Oct. 26. It's the club's Rotary Fall Fundraiser, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Olds College Alumni Centre. This year's theme is “Take me out to the Ball Game.” it will feature dinner and dancing as well as live and silent auctions.
The club is currently accepting donations and silent auction items for this event. For ticket information, check out oldsrotary.com.
Sponsorships and donations to this project are still being accepted. So far, $924,530 has been donated.
