The Hockey Through the Ages tournament organizing committee donated $70,000 toward a new multi-sport court for the Fort Macleod 150 Park on Ninth Street. Smart Building Solutions donated 10 per cent of the cost of the project and poured the concrete pad for a multi-sport court on Thursday.
Children and adults have a new place to play in Fort Macleod.
The new multi-sport court on Ninth Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues was poured last week as part of the development of the Fort Macleod 150 Park.
The $130,000 park was announced last year as part of the Town of Fort Macleod’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Mayor Brent Feyter announced development of the park, to serve people on the rapidly-growing south part of town, as well as the entire community, during official opening ceremonies of the anniversary celebration.
The project got a major assist from the organizers of the Hockey Through the Ages tournament, who donated $70,000.
Smart Building Solutions of Fort Macleod poured the concrete pad and agreed to donate 10 per cent of the total cost.
The multi-sport court will accommodate three basketball courts and pickleball court outlines will be painted on the court. It will also serve as a ball hockey rink.
In the winter, the court will transition to an outdoor skating rink.
Brennan Orr, director of operations for the Town of Fort Macleod, said Wednesday the plan this year was to get the court poured before freeze-up. That took place on Thursday.
“Then next season, we have the lights that are going to go in, and then we’ll start doing the irrigation and the landscaping for the first phase of that park,” Orr said.
Future plans include bathroom facilities, an irrigation system and a playground area next year.
The Town of Fort Macleod will install a sidewalk to circle the park area.
Orr said the project is coming together well, thanks in large part to the contributions of the Hockey Through the Ages group and Smart Building Solutions.
“It’s actually really great,” Orr said. “And I’ve been quite impressed at how many people are donating.”
Those donations allowed for an upgraded concrete surface for the multi-sport court, rather than just asphalt.
“It’s great to have that support,” Orr said.
