The South Calgary Colts Football Association is proud to announce the opening of their new practice facility at the South Fish Creek Recreation Center. After five long years of planning, fundraising and hard work, the dressing room is functional and the storage facilities are being utilized by the 2012 Midgets Colts. “Many people have worked very hard to make this a reality” said Colts Association President Terry Swanney. “Everyone involved is very proud of this accomplishment” Envisioned over five years ago when the SFCRA expansion was in its infancy, the Colts jumped at the chance to become involved and gain a toe-hold into the facility.
Working closely with the planning and construction committees the Colts were able to secure valuable space at the back of the facility for their new dressing room which “coincidently” backs right out onto the two football fields at the back. “We’re ecstatic” adds Mr Swanney, “this opens up many options for us as an organization. The Colts Association has worked very hard, Tony Israel and Mike Mikkelson have been crucial to the success of this initiative. Their diligence has paid off by having this facility ready to go live now”.
The long-term lease of the facility includes not only the 88 stall dressing room, long-term and short-term storage, office space, and trainer’s room but also access to meeting rooms and film-room capacity.
“The SFCRA has become a major hub of activity in the South East and now the Colts are right in the middle of it” concludes Mr Swanney. “We have secured the permits for both fields so we have ample practice fields for bantams, peewees and atoms all at the same time”. Parents of kids on multi-level teams can come and have their kids all pretty much on the same field and if they find practices tedious or if the infamous Calgary weather becomes an issue, they have the SFCRA facilities at their doorstep including, library, concession stands, pool, and gyms.
The bantams, peewees and atoms are all scheduled to move to the new facility for the 2012 season beginning with spring camps in May/June and main training camps in August.
The long-term plan is for the addition of lights and finally a synthetic turf field for the facility and those plans are well underway by the SCCFA.
Stay tuned, in Colts world, a lot of great things are happening.