It was fitting when Laurentian University president Judith
Woodsworth summed up a recent press conference to announce the
school's track was finally being upgraded as a "love-in".
I instinctively found myself nodding my head in approval of the
remark as I have been quite interested in seeing the track
fixed for quite some time.
I could even feel every other person - about 50 of them -
gathered in the Ken Bahnuk Lounge also nodding their heads in
approval of the comment.
The lounge was packed like a sardine tin with athletes,
coaches, politicians, educators, business professionals,
high-ranking city officials and die-hard Laurentian track
supporters all squeezed together for the same reason: the love
of athletics and finally seeing justice done for the track
which has, since 1988, slipped into a decaying and depressing
state.
Everyone gathered had a sense of purpose and ownership to the
track. This was definitely a true love-in and showed just how
many passionate people care about the facility and what it
means to the community.
The track was originally constructed in 1974 and has played
host to countless elite events at the local, regional,
provincial, national and international level.
The track reached it's absolute pinnacle when, in 1988, the
World Junior Track and Field Championships were held at the
facility.
Now, it's a shadow of its former self and can't host big time
events anymore.
Local high school track athletes still utilize the track as
does several track clubs, but it's a miracle no one has been
seriously injured because of the expansive holes in the running
surface and the rundown conditions of the main grandstand.
I have to admit, I get wary of watching the high school stars
race their hearts out in an attempt to qualify for NOSSA and
maybe even OFSAA on the track over the last five years.
It should have never gotten this way, especially since Greater
Sudbury is a proud city full of proud people and features a
thriving track and field scene.
But it did and that's now in the past.
The future for the Laurentian track is much brighter thanks to
the recent funding announcements of $2.2 million which will see
the track be completely resurfaced, new equipment brought in
and upgrades to the infield and pits over the next year.
The track will once again become a beacon of pride for us all
thanks to the relentless efforts of the Laurentian Community
Track task force. A group of individuals from all areas of the
community who came together for the one goal of making the
track a thing of glory and not a thing of gloom.
It never ceases to amaze me when people from Sudbury come
together to work towards one cause. Simply put, when it
happens, things get done and get done right, and quickly.
The vision for the "new" track will be as a foundation for the
city and local sports groups to cash in on the athletic craze
which is sweeping the nation right now with the 2010 Olympic
Winter Games coming.
Every province is going into overdrive with sporting ventures
and throwing money at athletics like they've never done before.
Sudbury needs a world-class track facility, not just for the
people in the community, but to place bids on events such as
Ontario Summer Games, OFSSA championships and National
Francophone Games.
These high profile sporting events would bring in hundreds, if
not thousands of people to the community for up to two weeks at
a time who pour copious amounts of money into our local
economy.
The infusion of out-of-town dollars had many people buzzing,
but I don't think it's the most important aspect of this whole
venture.
Bringing in elite events gives us all here in Sudbury another
chance to shine and show people from across the country just
how great our city truly is.
This, my sports friends, is what really matters most.
We're a proud city and we love showing it to the rest of the
world. The fixing of the Laurentian track would give us the
stage to put on a tremendous show for the rest of the country
to enjoy.
Scott Haddow is sports editor with Northern Life.
