Parkland football fans - if you happen to meet up with Coach Kaplan in your travels about town, the Old Blogger suggests that you might want to give him a slap on the back and a big "THANKS DOUG!" The West District Park is going to be a huge benefit for the City of Spruce Grove in general, but it's a REALLY HUGE DEAL for Parkland Football fans. For too many years we've had to play and practice on Spruce Grove fields that are totally inadequate for tackle football at any level, or we've had to travel to Edmonton or other communities to watch our kids play the game. All that is about to change.
I know that there have been a lot of people over the years who have worked for and supported the idea of this premiere sports facility in Spruce Grove. Executive, parents and volunteers from minor football, minor soccer, and other sports organizations worked hard to keep the project "on the radar". Gord Montgomery wrote about this issue extensively in the Reporter/Examiner. (Gord has been a great supporter of minor sports and our local athletes.) But ever since I've known about this issue, Coach Doug has been the one constant - rallying support, making phone calls, contacting aldermen, attending council meetings, asking others to attend council meetings... and doing it all over and over again each time the issue resurfaced. Doug refused to quit on the idea. And when the sports fields came right down to the CRUNCH last month - with some fairly influential people campaigning to stop or delay the project - Doug refused to roll over or give up. In fact, when the going got tough, Doug seemed to step up his game to another level!
The Tailgate Party was fun, and the vote in Council Chambers was very dramatic. There were many eloquent appeals to City Council for a "Yes" vote on building the fields. Ryan Karhut - Parkland Football alumnus (and Saskatchewan Roughrider draft pick) - was one of the people who attended and spoke in support of the fields. Spruce Grove City Administration made a terrific presentation outlining the many benefits of building these fields and showing how it really is in the best interests of the community. (Did you know that Spruce Grove was one of only two Alberta Communities that managed to qualify for the maximum in CAMRIF grants? What an EXCELLENT job by the City government and administration.) City Councillors had their say before the vote - showing how the Park fits in with the documented planning strategies and stated goals of the community.
In the end, City Council made a bold decision and the Old Blogger thinks they made the right decision. I think they deserve a lot of credit. But, the Old Blogger wanted to put this out there - Thanks Doug!
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