The president of the Blackfalds Field House Society is anticipating that the group’s ongoing fundraising efforts will see more of a financial windfall now that the town has approved the proposed specifications for the recreation facility.
“It just puts that much more weight in the mind of the community knowing that this is going to go ahead,” Carol Simpson said of the recent development.
“It says a lot when a community group wants something. But when it’s going to be a town run and built facility, you have to have the town on board to back that up. And we do have that now.”
Council approved in principal the renderings and business plan presented by consulting company RC Strategies on Oct. 12.
Simpson, who is also a town councillor, said the proposal shows that the facility will house a large open area ideal for court sports such as ball hockey, lacrosse, basketball, badminton and volleyball, a fitness facility and part of the Trans Canada Trail — a national trail system of which a section will cross through the field house before continuing on outside.
An outdoor pool is also included in the renderings as a second phase feature.
The society, which is not a town board, formed in June 2009 with the intent to raise $750,000 to purchase furniture and equipment for the centre.
In the 16 months since, Simpson said the board has raised roughly $35,000 through three continuous fundraising programs.
The initiatives — youth tile painting, the legacy stone and the 100 project — will see all contributors recognized within the facility once it is built.
Simpson added that society members are working on their next fundraiser — a Goods, Services and Talents auction that will be held in February.
While she praised a number of the town’s recreation facilities such as the skate park, arena and water spray park, Simpson said Blackfalds residents who want to work out in a gym setting only have the option of driving to neighbouring municipalities such as Lacombe.
For more information about the Blackfalds Field House Society and its fundraising programs, visit www.blackfaldsfieldhousesociety.com.
A video featuring a flythrough of the proposed rendering for the facility can be watched at www.blackfalds.com.
ptrotter@www.reddeeradvocate.com