During a meeting held earlier this summer, Irricana Town council was presented with an ambitious plan for a future sports complex, which if built would aim to address the rural community’s lack of facilities for sports other than hockey.
The proposal to council presented a diverse range of indoor and outdoor sports amenities.
In an interview after the presentation, Rick Ball, who serves as the president of the North East Rocky View Soccer Association (NERSA), discussed his vision for the project and explained the inspiration behind the proposed complex.
Ball highlighted the need for such a facility in the northeast Rocky View County region, as he believes the area lacks adequate sports facilities. He saw the potential to cater to a wider range of interests beyond traditional sports like hockey.
"If you don't play hockey, there's no winter activities," he told the Rocky View Weekly in a recent interview. "Our kids play on fields that aren't fields, and I just thought, 'What do we have to lose?'"
During Ball’s presentation, an extensive vision for the sports complex was outlined. The drawn-out plans include provisions for outdoor soccer fields, indoor soccer facilities, a skate park, and a BMX track.
The proposed complex would also house a variety of indoor courts for different sports, catering to basketball, badminton, and pickleball players, as well as a gym and an indoor walking track for seniors.
Even a restaurant was proposed to complement the comprehensive array of offerings.
Ball feels council's initial response to the proposal was favourable. He stated the project received support, but they were in talks to acquire additional land and determine the optimal placement of various elements of the facility. These negotiations would determine the project's final layout and design, he added.
According to Ball, the concept of a sports complex in Irricana is not new. However, he said, earlier talks were put on hold when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“We couldn't meet with the architect or potential donors," Ball explained. "Things really came to a halt for two years.”
Nevertheless, Ball expressed gratitude for council's enthusiasm, the letters of support the project has received, as well as the ongoing lease discussions with the Town for land for the project.
Looking ahead, Ball envisions a three-year timeline to raise necessary funds to help realize the complex. He said NERSA’s goal is to kick off events next spring, once the essential financial support and logistics were in place.
To materialize their vision, the not-for-profit has engaged with Berry Architecture and Associates Ltd., an architect firm based in Red Deer, to develop a concept plan for the building. For architectural renderings, see townofirricana.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/TOI-Council-Agenda-June-19-2023.pdf
The goal of the proposed sports complex is to meet the community's recreational needs, and Ball acknowledged that is a significant undertaking. But if accomplished, he added, the amenity would be a valuable resource for the community.
Representatives from the Town of Irricana, including Chief Administrative Officer Doug Hafichuk and Mayor Jim Bryson, responded to requests for comment by stating it is too early to comment on the proposal at the moment.
