Central Avenue is playing host to another huge event on Saturday afternoon. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Sports on Central

Sports on Central set for massive day on Saturday

Apr 28, 2023 | 2:00 PM

From the Saskatchewan Roughriders, to the Prince Albert Raiders, to minor sports organizations across the city, Central Avenue is going to be packed with prominent sports figures on Saturday, April 29. More importantly, it’s going to be packed with kids playing those sports.

The big day is finally approaching for Sports on Central, a celebration of sports in Prince Albert and a transformation of the downtown area into a series of fields, courts, and playing zones. Ahead of Saturday’s extravaganza, the organizers are brimming with anticipation.

“It’s bigger than my wildest expectations,” said Meghan Mayer, co-head organizer of the event. “Watching it all come together is blowing my mind.”

“We’ve been doing a lot of work over the last couple of days to set a couple of things up and building things and getting them ready to go out to the street,” said Scott Manson, who also serves as co-head organizer. “It’s all coming to life, we’re seeing our vision come forward, and it’s going to make for a great day for the kids on Saturday.”

Basketball hoops, soccer nets, street hockey games, and football will all be part of the event. Derrick Moncrief of the Roughriders will be there, and so will members of the Prince Albert Raiders.

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“I think one of the biggest things I’ve noticed in preparing for this event is how much sports means to this community,” said Mayer. “I’m recognizing it on a bigger scale. So to have (a team) like the Raiders come on board with us absolutely means the world.”

Tracking official attendance is going to be difficult, but based on word of mouth, social media reception, and the reaction from local sports groups, the expectation is there will be plenty of people interested. Reaction from the businesses in the area has been enthusiastic as well.

“We’ve barely been turned away, everyone says, ‘Yeah, we want to be part of this!’” said Mayer. “I think that’s part of showing pride in PA.”

That pride in P.A., and a belief in what downtown could be, was another driving factor behind setting up the event in the first place.

“We really felt like this is a great event for downtown, to bring people down and show what downtown Prince Albert has to offer,” said Manson. “It’s such a beautiful space with the potential to be something amazing.”

Manson joked that he had been checking the forecast for the big day for about a month straight, and he was relieved to see the forecast was favorable for Saturday. The events will begin around noon.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP