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PA committee rallies for recreation project

Jul 30, 2015 | 6:17 AM

The original site plan for the Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse included beach volleyball courts.

And now a special committee, comprised of members of Prince Albert’s volleyball community, wants to see those plans come to fruition.

This week, Prince Albert City Council was approached with a proposal.  The committee is not asking for money, but offering to pay for it themselves.

“It all depends on if we are able to raise the money through the grants we applied for. If we are not able to get all the funding we need through the grants, there may be some sponsorship opportunities through the businesses in Prince Albert and area,” said committee member Rene Quintal.

The price tag for the project remains uncertain but could be over $80,000 based on previous estimates. 

Over the next several months the city’s community services department will crunch the numbers.

“It’s great when we can have groups from the community come up and identify a need for the city,” said Recreation Manager Derek Blais.

He said if funding can be secured, construction could start this fall, but it’s more realistic that they would break ground in the spring.

“I think the biggest thing we need to know right now is how much is this going to cost and how much fundraising needs to be done,” he said.

Quintal said members of the PA Toppers volleyball club have already started fundraising.  The Saskatchewan Volleyball Association has also committed money, and over $12,000 has also been raised through the Nigel Weir memorial fund.

Weir, a former St. Mary high school student, was an avid volleyball player.  He died last June in a tragic house party accident, while living in Australia.

“We hope to leave a legacy in his name,” said Quintal.

The committee is expected to hear from city council sometime this fall.

 

nmaxwell@panow.com

Follow on Twitter: @nigelmaxwell