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Ottawa pitches in on T.A.B.'s new sports field by Dominik Kurek Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Wednesday, June 5, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com For too long one of Oakville's oldest high schools has had one of the poorest outdoor athletic fields. But that's all changing. Thomas A. Blakelock's (TAB) newly refurbished outdoor sports field and track are almost ready -- after two years of planning, fundraising and construction. On Friday, the various parties involved in the refurbishment of the field gathered at the Rebecca Street high school to thank the federal government for its support and to once again celebrate the community success. The project received a $380,000 grant from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) through its Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. The Halton District School Board pitched in $640,000 towards the new field and the school community raised additional funding. Dufferin Construction Co. donated labour, equipment and materials. "We're really excited about what this project will mean to revitalize our facilities here at Blakelock," said TAB principal Dean Barnes. "There's so much good that's going to come out of this. I'm so excited. I know this has made me feel more like a kid and I'm excited to enjoy the experience that it's going to be for all of us." Barnes' students are equally pumped about the new facilities. The outdoor sports seasons are just about over this time of year, but team members are already anticipating next year. The school's rugby teams played their home games on the Town's Bronte Athletic Field, which made attracting spectators difficult, and practiced on a field on the side of the school property as it was in better shape than the existing sports field. "Our other field wasn't as nice as this one. It was just getting really dirty. It wasn't as clear and grassy. It had potholes," said Meredith Johnson, a Grade 11 girls' rugby team member. "I'm actually looking forward to having games here. We haven't really practiced on this field because it's been so cruddy and annoying to play on, especially for rugby. It will be fun to play our home season games here." Crediting those who helped make a new sports field happen are, in front, Pat Wright, executive director and Karmel Sakran, chair, both of the Halton Learning Foundation; Oakville MP Terence Young, Spirit of Support (SOS) Chair Dan Ferrone and Thomas A. Blakelock Principal Dean Barnes. They are flanked by students, staff and trustees. submitted photo Fellow Blakelock Tigers athlete Chandler Bradshaw is equally excited for the coming school year. "In the rain it was extremely muddy. It was really hard to play on. There was no gripping with the cleats, we'd just slide all over the place," the Grade 11 student said, a member of the boys football team. "I'm looking forward to a stable field, where we can make clean cuts, to be able to play without having the field be the factor in making a difference in the game." The fundraising for the field began about two years ago when a group of parents, alumni, staff and other see Many on p.5 RENOVATION SALE 40% OFF ENTIRE STORE Watch Us Fashions 1131 Nottinghill Gate (Glen Abbey) (Store Manager) THE PROBLEM WITH INVESTMENT FEES DATES Wed, June 12th 10:00 am, 2:00 pm, 7:00 pm Thurs, June 13th 10:00 am, 2:00 pm Fri, June 14th 10:00 am, 2:00 pm SEMINAR LOCATION MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI Certified Financial Planner Peter Watson Peter Watson Investments 220 Randall Street, Downtown Oakville Free Parking Kim Karen (Owner) OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 905-827-2271 To reserve your seats email us at info@peterwatsoninvestments.com or call us at (905) 842-2100 Ext: 2 (24 hours) www.peterwatsoninvestments.com