Teamwork proved to be the difference.
With Lakewood elementary badly in need of a sports field, the City, the school district and the community pulled together and crossed the finish line — officially opening the City’s only regulation soccer field north of the Trans Canada highway.
“We all know the physical aspect of children running and having fun is so important when it comes to the well being of youth,” school board trustee Wendy Hobbs said. “I am so excited to see the field ... I am looking forward to seeing it being used.”
Pointing to the joint effort with Langford who covered half the $400,000 price tag on the construction of the soil-and-sand based field — Hobbs believes the new field would not exist today without the teamwork between the the City of Langford and the school district and the community.
“Our budget is so short with education. We are doing well but it took us 15 years to get funding for a high school,” Hobbs said. “The partnership is really what made it happen.”
Langford Coun. Lanny Seaton was delighted with the success of the joint venture and was all smiles talking about the new 95-by-60 metre field that came in at under budget due in large part to the efforts of local businesses and parents pitching in with time and materials to see the project through the finish line.
“This area didn’t have a decent field and for us it was a no brainer,” Seaton said. “We did the same thing for the new Glen Lake area to give the kids an opportunity to play soccer, to play ball. It made sense.”
Field construction kicked off mid-September of 2010, and now children like Lakewood student and soccer enthusiast Danica Wade are already putting the field to use, and not just to play ball.
“You should always get excercise so you can be fit,” the Grade 4 student said giggling. “Everyday me and my friends go up there to bother the boys ... I love Lakewood.”