The first sign of Aldergrove’s newest sports facility appeared last week.
A fir tree that had lost its top and was considered too dangerous and close to the new play area was taken down in preparation for the excavation of the area where a synthetic turf field is going to be placed.
This field will enable the two adjoining schools, Aldergrove Community Secondary and Betty Gilbert Middle School to utilize the artificial turf field, rain or shine, for a variety of sports. The local soccer community is looking forward to the field’s completion later this summer.
In addition to the main field, funds are being raised to cover one of the gravel practice fields at the same time. This will enable all the soccer teams in Aldergrove to have access to safe areas to play and practice on.
News that the B.C. government may not provide matching funds to the already raised $150,000 has the two local soccer clubs intensifying their fund-raising efforts.
Reid McDonald, longtime resident and community organizer, said, “News of the lack of government funding hasn’t slowed us down. We are working with the Township of Langley to reorganize some aspects of this project to make sure we get the practice field built so that Aldergrove kids don’t have to play on gravel.”
During the soccer season the only lit fields are the gravel fields, north of Betty Gilbert Middle School. In addition, Brown Park, where all the youngest players play, is too wet to play on by November, and if it snows those fields are the last to have the snow melt away.
Aldergrove Youth Soccer President Bill Ede said, “Our spring soccer league starts in April on nice green grass, but during the winter months it is a real issue to find adequate practice time. Teams practice under lights on less than ideal conditions, mainly on gravel. We are given some time on the turf fields in Langley but not enough for all our players, and the drive to Willoughby or even Macleod Park is too long for many of our players, especially our youngest ones. Having our own turf fields in our own backyard will be a great improvement.”
Hilary McRoberts, President of Aldergrove United Soccer, echoed Ede’s comments. “Even for our adult players, many of them who are working moms, almost an hour’s commute on a school night is too much of a burden to overcome to make it to a team practice. Many of our younger players (U21) are still in school or starting employment and late night practices aren’t conducive to full-time studying or careers.”
McRoberts also runs FireFit, a company that organizes sports events around firefighters and their activities. FireFit will be organizing an event for Lower Mainland Firefighters in Aldergrove in May to raise funds for the practice field turf.
Art Bandenieks, a field committee member, said, “We are hoping the community will continue to step up and help to contribute to the remaining $200,000 needed to complete this project. In the Aldergrove tradition we need to roll up our sleeves and reach into our pockets to complete this project that has so much to offer our soccer players, school kids and the general well-being of the entire community.”
Donations can be sent to Aldergrove Soccer, P.O. Box 582 Aldergrove, B.C. V4W 2V1, or they can be dropped off at the Aldergrove Chevron station on 264 Street and Fraser Highway.