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RVC council approves name for Langdon ball diamonds

Langdon’s new baseball diamonds will officially be called Iron Horse Fields, after Rocky View County (RVC) council approved the recreational facility’s name at their May 25 regular meeting.

Langdon’s new baseball diamonds will officially be called Iron Horse Fields, after Rocky View County (RVC) council approved the recreational facility’s new name at their May 25 regular meeting.

“For the longest time they were just called the Langdon Quad Diamonds, which was the project name,” said Langdon Community Association (LCA) Chair Chrissy Craig, who presented the item to council. “The community wanted a name, but we were on a short time frame.”

Craig said because time was a factor, LCA put together a survey to ensure the community could have its voice heard before the County started designing signage for the new ball diamonds.

Thirty-two names were suggested by Langdon residents, according to Craig, with the two most popular choices being Iron Horse Fields and the Clover Fields of Langdon.

“Once we narrowed it down to the final two suggestions, 41 per cent of the community voted on it,” she said.

The chosen name of Iron Horse Fields holds community significance, according to Craig. She explained an iron horse is another name for a train, and Langdon was built on an old Canadian Pacific Railway line.

“The field house in Langdon is currently a replica of the old train station that used to be here,” she explained. “It all kind of ties into the history of the town.”

Additionally, during the council meeting May 25, Craig said the name change was important to draw in sponsors for the ball diamonds.

The clover of baseball diamonds has been in the works for several years and after a year of construction, is nearly ready for use.

“The fields are doing fantastic,” Craig said. “They are supposed to be turned over to us in the next week.”

Craig said by the time the Alberta government enters Stage 2 of its recently announced reopening plan – expected in mid-June – the state-of-the-art diamonds will be ready for public use.

“Everything is lining up just perfectly,” she said.

The complex comes with an approximate $4 million price tag. Funding for the project received a major financial boost in July 2019, when RVC council approved $2.25 million to help cover the construction costs for all four fields.

During the regular meeting May 25, Coun. Greg Boehlke said he liked the chosen name.

“I think you’ve picked a great name and I wish it every success,” he said.

Coun. Samanntha Wright echoed that sentiment, and said she thought LCA did an excellent job in getting 41 per cent of the community to vote.

“That is more impressive than our voter turnout in the entire county throughout an election,” she said.

The motion to change the name was passed unanimously.

According to former Langdon Little League president and current umpire in chief Brendan Connolly, the ball diamonds will be a huge addition to the hamlet, where baseball is among the most popular sports.

While Connolly said only 65 registrants took part in little league last year, mainly due to COVID-19, registrations for this season are back above 200, as people get ready to enjoy the sport again – along with new ball diamonds.

“Kids are excited to get back outside and enjoy the activity once again,” he said. “These diamonds give everyone so much more opportunities.”

Jordan Stricker, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @Jay_Strickz

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