It was a long time coming and it made hundreds of people breathe a sigh of relief.
On Wednesday, in the Ken Bahnuk Lounge at Laurentian University, Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci announced an investment of $865,000, which will support the upgrading of the dilapidated track from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC).
The big pile of provincial money was added to funds raised already, along with a contribution of $500,000 from Laurentian to bring the total to $2.2 million.
This amount allows the Laurentian Community Track task force to go ahead with phase one of bringing the once prestigious facility back to its original glory, along with many new upgrades to make it a world class venue.
The task force is made up of hard-working people from Laurentian University, the four local school boards, Sudbury SportLink, the community and the City of Greater Sudbury.
"We will have a new track next year," Ward 2 Coun. Jacques Barbeau confidently stated. "We raised the $2.2 million in less than a year and that's just phenomenal. In a very short time, we've managed to get a lot of people and money committed to this important project."
Phase one will see the track surface, which is full of gapping holes, completely resurfaced as well as work done to the infield and pits, stands and lighting and new equipment purchases.
Phase two will see the buildings upgraded in the future.
"We've been at it for quite a number of years and this announcement is a great relief," task force member Dan Lee said. "We've been fighting and working hard for this for a long time. The results are very satisfying. This is a big kick-start and puts us over the top for phase one."
Along with fixing the track, the task force has also ensured the facility will be properly maintained in the future.
"The plan is to fix the track and then maintain it at a high standard so we never have to do this again," Lee said.
Bartolucci spoke about how he can't wait to see his granddaughter running on the Laurentian track one day. He was proud to deliver the money to help fix the track so many community people use every day.
"This is one of those announcements that is defining," the Sudbury MPP said. "It invests in kids. It invests in future athletes. It invests in potential. Investing in those types of things builds communities. Everyone benefits from this."
Laurentian University came up with $500,000 to help boost the project and give spirits an extra lift. Laurentian president Judith Woodsworth made no bones about the fact the track is in dire straights.
"Our track...is in bad shape," she said. "Renovations and upgrades are necessary. We have a big challenge here. We all hear so much these days how our children are obese and unhealthy. It's important for them to keep in shape and facilities like the track will help do that."
Work on the track is expected to start as soon as possible.
