Local businesses, clubs and individuals must be commended for raising so much money to enhance the new Rotary Athletic Park.
Construction of the approximately $3.6-million project, to be located just north of Walmart, along 70th Avenue, is expected to get underway this summer. It will contain soccer pitches as well as baseball and softball diamonds. It's hoped it will be available for use by the fall of 2019.
As of late last week, more than $896,330 had been raised for things like enhanced batting cages, bleachers and concessions at the park.
That's pretty darn good for a relatively small community of more than 9,100 people.
The Rotary Club of Olds is a big factor in that fundraising, having pledged last fall to commit $500,000 over up to five years, thereby obtaining naming rights for the park.
The faith that others, including local businesses and individuals, are showing in the project is also impressive; donating a few thousand dollars -- or in many cases tens of thousands of dollars -- toward the goal.
It's reminiscent of the surge of community spirit demonstrated a couple of years ago when money was raised for the splash park.
It's that kind of generosity that makes Olds such a great place to live.
