Raymond Field to get a makeover

BY KIRK STARRATT

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

Minister of Health Promotion and Protection Barry Barnet says a winning health promotion team has been formed in Wolfville and it just brought home its first gold medal.

Barnet was on hand at the Hall of Fame Room at Acadia Arena in Wolfville Tuesday, April 24 to announce that the province will invest $400,000 in upgrades to the adjacent Raymond Field, modernizing it to become the only all-weather track and field facility west of Metro Hailfax. Artificial turf will be installed, wheelchair accessibility will be increased and seating, lighting and the press box will be expanded. Construction is expected to begin in May.

Barnet said the expanded track and field facility would be accessible to people across the Valley region. The investment was the second in a series of announcements planned across the province over the next two weeks as part of a $50-million, 10-year infrastructure investment plan.

Coupled with matching funds from the federal government and individual communities, this represents a $150-million investment in facilities. This is in addition to the $3 million invested annually by the province in recreation facility development grants.

“As we continue to promote the benefits of being physically active, we have a responsibility to help support communities to construct new facilities across the province that are safe and accessible to everyone,” Barnet said.

Competing against obesity, inactivity

The province has taken the necessary action to see that projects such as the facility upgrade are done, but they can’t do it alone. Government is only one player on the team and they need institutions like Acadia University and communities like Wolfville pulling together with the same objectives.

Barnet said we’re competing against high levels of childhood obesity, inactivity and chronic disease. “It’s a competition we must win,” he said.

He said he hopes the provincial involvement would represent a turning point for the project at Acadia as the university continues fundraising efforts.

Kings South MLA David Morse said the university has had heightened involvement in the community under the leadership of President and Vice Chancellor Dr. Gail Dinter-Gottlieb and the university is now more accessible to everybody.

“It’s not only for Acadia. It’s for all of eastern Kings County,” he said of the provincial investment. “It’s important for the community to make its contribution.”

Dinter-Gottlieb said the first gym was built on the site in 1890 at a cost of $1,500. Later, when the playing field was established, it cost $25,000 at the time.

She said they want to host national events at the facility and the provincial support demonstrates confidence in Acadia’s plan to move forward.

Better resource for athletes

“Acadia University and the province of Nova Scotia share the common goal of promoting healthy and active lifestyles,” Dinter-Gottlieb said. “I’m pleased the province will invest in the expansion and modernization of Raymond Field and its amenities. Once completed, this facility will be a better resource for athletes in our community and all of western Nova Scotia.”

Wolfville Mayor Bob Stead said the province is to be commended for its community outreach in terms of health promotion and protection initiatives.

Kings County Warden Fred Whalen said Acadia has a long tradition of allowing county residents access to their facilities. He thanked Berwick town councillor and the representative of the Department of Health Promotion and Protection for the Valley Region Mike Trinacty for working with Acadia to procure the provincial funding.

Trinacty said the investment would mean a huge boost to local sports infrastructure, and local sports groups are pleased and excited about the project. It will help to attract high-calibre talent and there are tremendous opportunities ahead.