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| Premier Scott Moe speaks at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. |
The 46-year-old product of Shellbrook was speaking at a
press conference at the Saskatoon sports facility on Wednesday, and he told a
story about playing in a fastball provincials at the complex, when he was
growing up.
Moe’s team was down by one in the bottom of the seventh
inning with two runners on and two outs. One run was need to force and extra
inning and two runs were needed to win. If his team won, the squad would go to
nationals.
“A pitch came in, and I got a hold of it,” said Moe. “It was
going out to right field and went to the warning track, and it was just five
feet short from clearing the fence and us going on to nationals.
“I think it is quite obvious this being Phase 3 of the renos
at Gordie Howe Bowl that I hope that if it wasn’t fixed in Phase 1 or Phase 2
that the right field fence on Diamond 1 is obviously 10-feet too far. I would
hope in Phase 3 that would certainly be rectified.”
Politicians from the federal, provincial and municipal
levels of government were on hand to confirm funding that will help finish the
massive renovations going on at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex in Saskatoon’s
Holiday Park neighbourhood. The complex is in a final Phase 3 of a master plan.
The federal government will be contributing just over $8.352-million,
the provincial government $6.959-million and municipal contribution is slated
for $5.568-million. The Friends of the Bowl Foundation will be fundraising the
municipal contribution with the goal of hitting $6-million to cover any unforeseen
expenses.
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| Federal minister Jonathan Wilkinson speaks at Wednesday’s presser. |
“The expansion
involves adding a new multi-sport complex, an outdoor artificial turf field, an
outdoor baseball training and practice complex, Nordic ski trails, as well as a
new ticket booth and bleachers,” said former Saskatoon resident Jonathan
Wilkinson, who is the minister of fisheries, oceans and the Canadian Coast
Guard. “This project will have far reaching impacts not only for residents who
will benefit from these modern sport and fitness facilities, but also for the
city as a whole.
“These new spaces will provide new opportunities to host a
wide variety of events, which will help promote tourism in the area and events
and services available to families in this community.”
The announcement on Wednesday officially gave funding to 12
different infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan including the Gordie Howe
Sports Complex through the Integrated Bilateral Agreement. Dignitaries were on
hand representing various communities that will benefit from these projects.
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| Bryan Kosteroski gets set to speak at Wednesday’s presser. |
For those that have overseen the developments at the Gordie
Howe Sports Complex over the long haul like Friends of the Bowl chairperson
Bryan Kosteroski and board member Johnny Marciniuk, Wednesday’s announcement
was a big reward for countless hours of hard work. Kosteroski reflected on part
of that journey during his speech at the presser.
“Going back eight years to now, this project has been in our
hearts,” said Kosteroski. “The partnerships and the collaborations we have seen
and the growth of partnerships and people working together in Saskatoon has
been tremendous.
“There are nine sporting organizations working together
right now. That is unheard of. If you would have said eight-and-a-half years
ago that softball would be talking to baseball or football would be talking
with lacrosse, that is unheard of.
“Now, it is a common thing. It is like we are family. Everybody
works together.”
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| Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark speaks at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. |
“We had delegation after delegation come to the city and say
the field sucks, the dressing rooms suck (and) the stands suck,” said Clark.
“Basically, it was getting beat down, because there was so much football being
played at this facility, and players are getting injured and we’re embarrassed.
“To be honest, it took a few starts to even get things
going.”
Clark enjoys seeing the progress that has been made since
that time.
“It is an incredible thing for kids to be able to have
access to this,” said Clark. “We look forward to hosting kids from across the
province and across the country and top class athletes to put on great
performances and to help inspire the next generation and to build sport in our
community.”
Moe touted that the provincial government was pleased to
play a part in revamping the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be on the
funding team alongside the Government of Canada and alongside the local
community,” said Moe. “When completed, this project will surely live up to the
Howe’s namesake, whose iconic #9 has been memorialized in the logo of the
Gordie Howe Sports Complex.”
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| Greg Yuel speaks at Wednesday’s press conference. |
The success on that front created momentum to get the wheel
in motion on improving the rest of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
When the master plan of the complex in complete, a total of
$62-million will have been put into renovating and improving the complex. As of
July of last year, $42-million was raised towards that goal.
Greg Yuel, who is the chairperson of the fundraising
committee for Friends of the Bowl, was pumped at how close Wednesday’s funding
announcement gets the project into the home stretch.
“It is a game changer for all youth and athletes across
Canada,” said Yuel. “This is huge milestone in our campaign.
“It isn’t done yet. We have a few more million to go before
we finish it off and put a ribbon on it. Please don’t hesitate to tell your
family and friends and reach into your own pockets and help us finish this off.”
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| Various dignitaries pose for a photo at Wednesday’s press conference. |
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