Did you know that West Vancouver’s only running track is now almost seventy years old? Located at West Vancouver high school, it has served as a positive means to facilitate exercise and develop lifelong bonds within our community. While its past must be celebrated, it is time to take a step in a new direction as the track and grass field has gradually deteriorated.
With only two turf fields at Ambleside, the demand for quality fields — especially ones that can withstand the ever-changing Vancouver weather — is overwhelming. The ageing and growing population is in need of another facility that can be more accessible than grass fields.
The following four organizations have contributed significant donations towards this project: District of West Vancouver ($250 000), West Vancouver Foundation ($250 000), West Vancouver Schools ($250 000), and West Vancouver Football Club ($100 000) for a total of $850 000 along with other private donations. This conveys the immediate commitment and progress to achieve this goal, however, the current budget for the project is $4.9 million. While this will require more funding, the construction is scheduled to begin late spring 2020.
As soon as the fall 2020 school year, a new state state-of-the-art field and track could await us. An ongoing district-wide mission is to encourage financial literacy which would also be improved with the addition of this Place for Sport. It will be a central piece in our community that appeals to all demographics and ages for many years to come. It has already been specified that from 7:00am until 5:00pm on Monday to Friday, school physical education classes and school sports team activities will be prioritized and community activities will be programmed after 5:00 pm and on weekends. Track and field, soccer, lacrosse, walking and running, wheelchair sports and various competitive events will be among the allocated activities, which could also include tai chi, yoga and programs in collaboration with the Kay Meek Centre.
For future Sentinel Secondary students, this new development is only a short walk down the hill. It will be hugely beneficial to our track athletes and promote other athletic development in various activities. The community will embrace this shared space to create a new legacy that can hopefully last another half-century or more.
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