PROJECT TRACK 21 – FACILITY RENEWAL

The Blue Heron Track was built in 1986, using funds generated by the Peninsula Track & Field Club and assisted by grants from the Provincial Government.

The track, adjacent to the Parkland High School, is situated on land owned by the Memorial Park Society and leased to School District #63. While the School District has been responsible for the maintenance of the area (grass-cutting, etc.), the Track Club has continued to upgrade the track facility itself, including adding new sand to and improving the jumping pits, providing a throwing cage, and installing concrete pads, gravel fans, etc. to the throwing areas. It has an annual program of weed clearing and general renovation of all these competition areas. The Club has also, from time to time, added fresh wood chips to the running trails through the woods next to the track.

This track is now approaching the end of its useful life and will need to be replaced within the next two to four years. Although the School District has indicated some concern in terms of liability insurance, etc., the track remains in satisfactory condition for the holding of local and district competitions.

In addition, the grass infield of the track, used as a soccer pitch by both the school and local clubs, creates problems in terms of the need for constant watering which, unfortunately, spreads over to and hastens the deterioration of the track itself. At certain times of the year, this infield has had to be closed for use, due to becoming extremely waterlogged.

The Track Club has formed a Steering Committee to work on this Renewal Project with the focus upon making this facility one which will not only significantly be more useful for Parkland, North Saanich and other schools as well as itself, but will also more effectively benefit the broader community as it pursues its goals of improved health and recreational fitness. Thus the Project seeks to not only replace the track but to install an artificial turf infield for soccer, football and rugby use, together with proper spectator stands, something which currently does not exist.

The upper Saanich Peninsula will soon be the only area within Greater Victoria which does not have the current standard of all-weather, year-round recreational facility which will be necessary to meet the needs of its student, youth, and other population segments in the coming decades.

The Club has set a target of raising $3 million from government, corporate and private sector sources to fund the facilities outlined. Its goal is to have this funding in place and for construction to begin as soon as possible, and certainly before 2013.

Both the Memorial Park Society and School District #63 are fully supportive of this initiative. However, neither of these groups have funding which can be applied to such a major project, although the MPS has agreed that it will be willing to accept donations and, through its charitable organization status, issue tax receipts for contributions of over $25.00. They, along with the local municipalities, are eager to see that this dedicated area of their memorial lands will be used to create an enhanced recreational facility capable of providing the youth, adults, families and seniors of the Saanich Peninsula with a place to participate in active, healthy and environmentally-friendly activities for the next fifty years – truly a place for the 21^st Century.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

To create this top notch 21^st Century community recreational venue as a cost-effective, weather-friendly facility, open and inviting to the 40,000 youth, adults, families and seniors of the Saanich Peninsula, and to raise the $3,000,000 necessary to fund the construction of a new synthetic track surface, artificial turf soccer/football field, spectator stands with toilet/concession facilities /storage areas/ training rooms/etc., and the installation of artificial lights, at Parkland High School, you could either become, or help the Club to find:

A Corporate Donor, contributing either cash or in-kind services;

A Local Business/Advertising Partner;

A Sport Partner;

A Community Service Club Partner;

A Special Event Partner;

A Fund-Raising Partner;

A Personal Individual or Family Donor.

This Project already has the support of international athletes and prominent members of the community including:

Diane Cummins (Canadian Olympian, Women’s 800m record holder)

Michelle Stilwell (World Paralympic 100m, 200m Champion)

Tom Michell (Canadian Masters Sprint Champion)

Roger Skillings, CEO, Canadian Sports Centre Pacific

George Morfitt (former B.C. Auditor-General)

Dr. Gerry Kelly, President Emeritus, Royal Roads University

For upcoming special Project Track 21 events, and for details about how you can contribute to this initiative, check this website on a regular basis, or contact:

Dr. Danny Daniels,

Chair, Project Track 21 Steering Committee.

e-mail: danmeister99@shaw.ca