A crowd of 84 supporters were on their feet and applauding after council unanimously supported the LKCS sports facility project in Dresden.
At the April 28 meeting, council voted 17-0 in favour of funding 25% of the project ($134,500), which is estimated to cost upwards to $540,000.
Ian Avery, a teacher at Lambton-Kent Composite School and one of the leads with the Dresden Community Development Association, said he was thrilled with the approval.
“It’s outstanding news,” Avery said. “It continues the ball rolling in our fundraising initiatives. We have a way to go, but this is huge. With the school board, now the municipality on board, we have a few meetings set up in the near future with different service clubs and organizations, we have a lot of grant applications in. We hope to have this go sooner than later.”
During a deputation to council, Avery pointed out five key areas where the community will benefit from the project, including:
• Sports and recreation impact;
• environmental impact;
• inclusion;
• civic engagement; and
• sustainability.
Avery said the project will be completed in three phases. The first includes the installation of a field irrigation system, the resurfacing of the existing soccer fields, the installation of a 400-metre running track and the installation of a baseball diamond.
The second phase includes the expansion of the Trillium Trail at the back of the campus.
The third phase includes the construction of community washroom facilities.
North Kent Coun. Joe Faas, who entered the successful notice of motion, said the group brought forward an excellent business plan.
“The community and the Dresden area are behind this project,” Faas said. “This is existing money that is in our budgets. I want to thank staff for their work on this report.”
East Kent Coun. Jim Brown said there is a group in Ridgetown doing a similar project at their high school.
“You can expect (a notice of motion) from the Ridgetown group,” Brown said.
South Kent Coun. Art Stirling said considering the Dresden community hosts the OLG Slots and has provided more than $8 million to the Chatham-Kent municipal coffers, this project should be supported.
“Surely we can find $134,000 for a worthwhile cause,” he said.
Avery added there is no set date for when a shovel will go in the ground.
