It's a crisp, late summer morning and only the birds are out,
singing in harmony, creating a relaxing mood at Queen's
Athletic Field (QAF).
The peaceful harmony quickly comes to an abrupt end with the
roar of a lawn mower being started up.
The sun has just come up and already, QAF groundskeeper
Diane Gervais is on the job, busily honing the lands for
another day of enjoyment for people of all ages.
For the past six years, as the groundskeeper at QAF and
other local parks, Gervais has ensured the grass is kept neat
and the grounds are clean and free of litter.
Gervais was given a gold medal from the Sudburnia Soccer
Association as a gesture of appreciation for all her hard work.
"They gave me the medal for just being there for them all
the time," said the 51-year-old. "It was such a nice gesture by
them. I love my job and love being around people...it feels
really good. All my good work has paid off. How many people can
say they got a medal for being nice and caring about people?"
Sudburnia knows a good thing when they see it. "Diane is
amazing," said Gail Arbic, Sudburnia treasurer and president of
the district. "She has always been very good to us and always
has a smile on her face. Diane makes sure the fields are always
ready to play on and in good condition. She's very important to
what we do. She has so much energy and we love seeing her
around."
Typically, Gervais works six days a week, about six hours
during weekdays and sometimes working 10 hours on weekends.
At QAF alone, it takes the feisty Gervais about two to three
hours of straight cutting time to trim the grass around the
park. Factoring in cutting around the bleachers, the time jumps
to around eight hours in total.
It's not just cutting grass that keeps Gervais busy. She
sets up soccer nets and goes over the fields with a fine-tooth
comb looking for broken glass, holes and other debris that may
cause an injury to a young athlete.
"The hill around the field takes two tanks of gas," said
Gervais. "It can be a challenge because you have to balance and
push the mower on the hill. I have to hold on strong because I
don't want the mower to roll over me...I don't need cutting
blades hitting me in the head. I love the hard work...It keeps
me fit."
Gervais comes by her work ethic honestly. At 14, she started
working at a playground in Hagar to help her family survive.
Her father, Victor, suffered from severe asthma and was in the
hospital for many years and couldn't work.
Gervais pedalled her bike six miles, one way, to the
playground to make $80 a week.
"I promised my dad I would help out," said Gervais. "You
help your family, no matter what."
When her father passed away a few years later, Gervais found
peace at local playgrounds and the tranquillity they offered.
She takes a strong stand against anyone trying to vandalize
the parks. She especially disdains people who drink alcohol at
the public facilities.
"I had two brothers who died from drinking," said Gervais.
"I am against people drinking and driving. I don't want to see
it at my park...It's a big no-no. I couldn't live with myself
if someone was killed because of drinking at my park."
It's not just local sporting organizations that welcome the sight of Gervais at the field. Everyday people who run or walk through the park have fond feelings for the groundskeeper and her results.
"This place is very nice," said Stew Shawanda, who uses QAF to
get exercise. "It's really great for kids...because it's so
clean. It's well maintained and I can't wait to bring my
grandkids here."
Gervais has no plans to slow down any time soon.  "I love my job too much to retire."
