Originally called “The Field of Dreams,” the Kiwanis Field is finally a dream realized after opening to fanfare and accolades.
Situated behind Pauline Johnson Collegiate, Kiwanis Field is now open to the public, students and sports clubs following the recent grand opening that included local and provincial dignitaries and a banner breaking.
Millards Chartered Professional Accountants and Partners were major sponsors to the project, donating a combined $30,000 to the ambitious undertaking, now 6 years in the making.
Nicole Pray, Administrative Assistant for the busy accounting firm was on hand as the sports field was officially opened to the community. Nicole and her husband Joe attended Pauline Johnson.
“Millards is focused on our community and we believe that this new facility will offer much needed health and sports benefits to our area. As proud Pauline Johnson graduates, we’re particularly thrilled that the field was designed to meet the needs of Special Olympics and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Minor Sports Program.”
Glenn MacDonell, President of Special Olympics Ontario says that the Kiwanis Field will allow Special Olympics to train locally and host major events.
“The building of this comprehensive facility will allow many athletes in the Brantford area who are registered with Special Olympics to practice and train at a first class facility…Special Olympics Ontario would most certainly appreciate and value the opportunity of using a facility of this nature for upcoming Special Olympics events and competitions.”
Hamilton Tiger-Cats Director, Steve Lowe, suggests that the new field will have appeal for more demanding sports teams.
“With the proper facilities it would be possible for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to ultimately extend our Play Action minor football program support to the city as well as Black and Gold public team practices and football clinics.”
The new field features an 8-lane rubberized track, a synthetic turf field, permanent bleachers, change rooms and a press box. Among the sports hosted on the field will be football, soccer, rugby and field lacrosse.
Millards Youth Ambassador
Kiwanis Field Grand Opening
One of the highlights of the grand opening was the the “banner breaking” comprised of area youth representing various organizations connected to the cause. Millards was represented by Chloe Pray. The video below shows the action asChloe and her cohorts break through the banner.
The Kiwanis Field Committee launched a fundraising campaign in 2013 after an earlier attempt to raise the funds through the annual Aviva Community Fund competition. The committee earned a large number of votes but not enough to clinch the funds. A meeting with Brant MP Phil
McColeman and MPP Dave Levac was the impetus to expand the initiative as a community-wide fundraising effort.
Dave Levac, M.P.P. for Brant credits community partnerships and donations for the success of the project.
“The Kiwanis Field was a unique opportunity for community partners to work together to create a monumental addition to the city of Brantford and the local area.”
Martin Dixon, CPA, CA, LPA and Partner at Millards knows first hand, the value of the state-of-the art track and field complex.
“Millards sponsored Krista DuChene and her coach Rick Mannen are already making good use of the facility.”
Dixon captured some pictures of the Rio bound athlete and coach training at the new track in recent days. See those pics as well as images and video from the grand opening event below.
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