WINDSOR, N.S. — Fundraising efforts are officially underway for West Hants’ new sports complex.
The Municipality of West Hants hosted a launch party at Schoolhouse Brewery in Windsor June 6 to pump up the excitement for the near $15-million project.
“It’s a fantastic, jaw-dropping welcome to our community,” said Warden Abraham Zebian of the pending project.
Zebian said the project is now at the point where they can start fundraising in earnest.
“We have a state-of-the-art NHL size arena (being built) that will have seating for roughly 550 with standing room... it’ll stand roughly 1,378. It’s a massive arena,” said Zebian.
“Coupled with that, we have an indoor sports field — soccer, Frisbee, rugby, lacrosse, gymnastics, pilates, you name it, it could be done in this complex.”
Zebian said there will also be a “fantastic walking-running track” that can be used by all ages.
Andy Knowles, regional director for Lindsay Construction, was on hand at the launch event to provide some insight into what is in the works for the land on Wentworth Road.
“I was born and raised in Windsor, West Hants, right across the river, and this is my home rink so I’m pretty excited to be a part of it from the construction end, and the design end, and obviously to kick off fundraising and help get things going,” he said.
Knowles said he’s been working alongside West Hants staff in order to obtain the necessary permits and design specifications and said they should be ready to turn sod “in a matter of weeks.”
Cam Hartley, of Schoolhouse Brewery, told the near-capacity crowd that they were excited to partner with the municipality for the launch.
“We’ve seen lots of exciting things happen in the last couple of years in Windsor and this is another very exciting thing,” he said, before announcing that $1 of every Principal Pale Ale sold that night would be donated to the sportsplex. The business also purchased the first soccer ball plaque for the new facility.
Plaques shaped like soccer balls and hockey pucks that will hang at the new facility are being sold for $100 each. Chair sponsorship goes for $500. There are standard donation forms available as well. Those interested in supporting the multi-use sports complex can do so by visiting the West Hants municipal office. Tickets, which cost $10 each, are being sold for a chance to win a chair sponsorship. On June 25, just before the council’s committee of the whole meeting is about to begin at 6 p.m., that draw will be held.
Coun. Debbie Francis, who serves as the chairwoman of the fundraising committee, apprised councillors of how the event went during the council meeting on June 11.
“It was well-attended. We had a lot of donations made and a lot of buzz has been created for this,” she said.
It’s anticipated the total cost will be just shy of $15 million. The federal and provincial governments are supporting the project to the tune of $9 million. The Town of Windsor has committed $1 million in funding over a five-year period and West Hants council committed to $1 million at the start of the project. Any outstanding costs will need to be fundraised or incurred by the municipality.
RELATED:
- West Hants confirms Lindsay Construction as main contractor for $15 million sports complex
- Feds announce $4.4 million in funding towards West Hants’ new sports complex
- Windsor commits $1 million over five years for West Hants arena project
- West Hants Council approves arena project
- West Hants could revive arena dreams with Plan B proposal
- West Hants arena proposal package
- With Windsor’s latest hockey arena dreams dashed, what’s next?
- Windsor council nixes Long Pond Arena proposal
