Fundraising for the new multi-sport artificial turf located between Cochrane High and the École Manachaban Middle School is in the final stages, and the project is on track to be completed later this fall.

Leslie Ann Kalman, chair of the Cochrane Track and Field Association, says the laying of the turf is expected to be finished by the end of the month, and the light towers will be raised in mid-October.

She says they are $10,000 to $15,000 short of their $2.5 million fundraising goal. By reaching it, they'll be able to open the field with a full complement of bleachers for spectators.

With enough sponsorships, the new bleachers will accommodate 420 people. When you add in the existing bleachers, they'll be able to seat about 520.

For a tax-deductible donation of $250, your name will be displayed on a bleacher plaque.

Recently, the association received the final sponsorship required for the new score clock. It won't be completed in time for the return of sports to the field this fall, and they are seeking to briefly borrow a portable score clock.

The field will accommodate a wide variety of sports for schools of the Rocky View School Division and will also be available for community rental after school hours.

Truly a multi-sport field, it's being marked for soccer, football, rugby, and ultimate frisbee and will be used for general physical education classes. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space to include a track.

To the particular delight of rugby players, it includes a shock pad that wasn't installed at the Spray Lake Sawmills Legacy Sports Field.

For more information on this exciting project and how to contribute, click here.

A brief video is attached to give a taste of the installation.