Rising from the ashes
Duchess Recreation Centre a shining example of turning misfortune into opportunity
CARRIE KELLY even better to rise from the ashes. A
When the Duchess Soccer Centre burned to the ground, there was never any thought that would be the end of indoor soccer in the community.
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s is often the case, especially in small communities, misfortune pulls people together and provides the opportunity for something
The structure and its contents were completely destroyed, but they were insured to the tune of about $2 million. While it possibly could have been rebuilt for close to that amount, the loss was seen as an opportunity by the Village council to rebuild not simply a soccer centre, but a facility that would meet additional recreational needs as well.
Construction took place on the same site and the new facility, which provides additional space for the school's physical
education programming, yoga classes, meeting space and a walking path, came in at a cost of $4 million.
"It's busy," Mayor Bruce Snape said of the new Duchess Recreation Centre. "Following the fire, people began to realize just how important this facility had been to them. We now have a large floor surface for indoor soccer that can also be used for basketball, badminton, floor hockey and pickle ball. The walking path is great for seniors and there's a new fitness centre and a Pita Pit."
The recreation centre plays host to the community's annual Christmas craft sale and will be able to host trade shows.
Located next to the community hall and curling rink, the new recreation centre opened in August, meeting the goal to have it open for the new school year.
Fundraising for the facility was challenging. There was hope to have corporate sponsorship, but with the downturn in
the oil industry that didn't happen. Yet despite that, there is no debt attached to the project.
"From start to finish, the project took three years and was funded by a combination of fire Insurance proceeds, a Dodge truck and John Deere Gator raffle, cash donations, capital grants and municipal dollars invested by the Village," Snape said. "Brooks Asphalt and the Eastern Irrigation District were major equipment contributors to the property preparation and paving."
The project was completed on schedule under the guidance of general contractor GVN Structures from Redcliff. Many local trades contributed their skills and expertise to ensure it was completed to a high standard.
The Grasslands Soccer Association (GSA) operated the former soccer centre and now simply leases space from the Village of Duchess.
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"It's less work for us on the cleaning and maintenance side," said Robert Weir, GSA president. "It's a beautiful facility."
During the period between the old facility burning down and the new one being erected, the soccer association utlilized an old hockey arena in Brooks so players from throughout the County of Newell could continue to play indoor soccer. About 100 players are involved this season and an adult soccer league also plays in the new facility.
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While Brooks is just 16 kilometres away, Duchess is much more than just a bedroom community, said the mayor, who moved there as a teenager.
"There are definite advantages to living in our village," Snape said. "We
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